LARAMIE – Wyoming fans would love for history to repeat itself at wide receiver.
 
Jovon Bouknight, one of the most productive players in program history, will do everything in his power to develop the next generation of great playmakers after being named UW's wide receivers coach last month.
 
The Pokes' all-time leader in all-purpose yards (5,921), kickoff return yards (2,016) and average yards per game (126) returned to his alma mater as an analyst last summer and was inducted into the UW Athletics Hall of Fame with the 2024 class.
 
Now Bouknight will be charged with continuing the Cowboys' rich tradition at the position highlighted by 1996 Biletnikoff Award winner Marcus Harris and 2025 College Football Hall of Fame class member Ryan Yarborough.
 
"I do think some of the young guys, like Chris Durr Jr. and Jaylen Sargent, are constantly asking, 'Hey Coach, what was it like (when you played) or what was this guy like?'" Bouknight said. "I do see guys being inquisitive and trying to seek those answers. It's very rewarding."
 
Bouknight had 250 receptions for 4,446 yards and 29 touchdowns at UW from 2002-05 after Harris (259 receptions, 4,518 yards, 38 touchdowns) and Yarborough (239 receptions, 4,446 yards, 42 touchdowns) rewrote the NCAA record book during their era.
 
Durr and Sargent will now benefit from Bouknight's institutional knowledge and his expertise as an assistant who previously tutored receivers at Utah State, Texas Tech, Oregon, Kentucky and Marshall.
 
"The standard has to elevate and be a little bit higher, because I know what the hiccups were last year," Bouknight said. "We know what it is internally, and it's one of those things where we just have to get better."
 
The return of Kaden Anderson, who will compete with a list of talented young quarterbacks for the starting job, should upgrade UW's passing game.
 
Durr led the receivers with 31 receptions for 348 yards and a touchdown as a true freshman. Sargent added 23 receptions for 480 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Bricen Brantley and junior Jaylan Bean will have an opportunity to join the rotation.
 
Houston prep star Deion DeBlanc has enrolled early with the hope of playing as a true freshman. UW also added transfers Jackson Holman (Arizona) and Eric Richardson (Northwest Missouri State).
 
"Who I was as a receiver, I try to embody into these players," Bouknight said. "These guys are a reflection of me. I know how I coach, I know how I play, so the fine details, the toughness, that's going to be demanded and required at all times."
 
Bouknight joins defensive ends coach Brian Hendricks (2008-11) as former UW standouts on head coach Jay Sawvel's full-time staff.
 
"You take Bo, you take Hendricks, guys that played at Wyoming have an appreciation for this place. They know what it's like to be a student-athlete here," Sawvel said. "But I think with Coach Bouknight, I'm excited for him to work with them full time. I know he has got a lot of respect from the players; they all really appreciate him."
 
The Pokes will begin spring practice on March 25. Fans can watch Bouknight work with the receivers during Saturday practices, which are open to the public.
 
"This Wyoming thing is cemented in me right now," Bouknight said of his full-circle football life. "It runs through my veins."
 
If you are interested in learning more about NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) or would like to support our student-athletes, please visit 1wyo.org. 1WYO was created out of Wyoming's culture of neighbor helping neighbor. The mission is to promote and strengthen local charitable organizations and develop Wyoming student athletes.
 
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