LARAMIE – The inside run periods during spring practice are setting the tone for Wyoming's 2025 season.
 
The Cowboys are more experienced and stronger between the tackles on the offensive line and on the interior of the defensive line than last fall.
 
UW head coach Jay Sawvel's emphasis on physicality begins in the middle of the line of scrimmage and then bleeds through the rest of the team.
 
"We've got to live a physicality, and every position is a part of it," Sawvel said after Tuesday's unrelenting practice in the Indoor Practice Facility. "If I can figure out a way to make (Erik) Sandvik that way at kicker then we'll figure that out, too."
 
Senior Jack Walsh has moved from right guard to center and senior Caden Barnett has moved from right tackle to right guard, which has bolstered the interior of the offensive line along with junior left guard Wes King.
 
The trio have played a combined 91 games for the Pokes entering the season.
 
"Those are some big guys you just named. I love Jack, I love Wes, I love Caden," said running back Terron Kellman, who has looked impressive wearing the brown and gold after transferring from Charlotte, when asked about finding holes up the middle. "Just coming in here they welcomed me with open arms. I'm just thankful for the team, the camaraderie. They are great interior O-line. I feel like they will be the glue and the leaders of the O-line we need."
 
On the other side, seniors nose tackle Ben Florentine and senior defensive tackle Caleb Robinson are leading the way.
 
Sophomores Dante Drake and Lucas Samsula and graduate transfer Aneesh Vyas are also getting a lot of reps while potential starter Jayden Williams sits out this spring to recover from foot surgery.
 
"Now we have young guys who have been tested, and they know what it's like in a game," said Robinson, who missed the 2024 season due to injury. "We shouldn't be having those pre-game jitters and guys shouldn't be out here making the same mistakes they have been making in the past.
 
"It's going to be amazing. I just know with my young guys they're all level-headed now. It's another year, they're a little older and more mature. I'm excited to take that road with them."
 
Sawvel said Saturday's practice was one of UW's best from a physicality and effort standpoint since he joined the program as defensive coordinator in 2020.

During one of the two inside run periods, the 210-pound Kellman survived a vicious collision that sent the 305-pound Vyas crashing to the turf.
 
"(Offensive coordinator Jay) Johnson and Coach Sawvel preach to us that we need to be the hammer not the nail," Kellman said. "Having that dog mentality about yourself not to be pushed around and to always be the most physical on the field. At my position I feel like it's really important to run behind your pads and not get taken down by the first guy. Or just run with aggression because I feel that's what really separates a running back. It just stands out on film."
 
Johnson has installed a balanced, up-tempo offense that has featured some gorgeous connections in the passing game between the quarterbacks and talented targets like John Michael Gyllenborg, Chris Durr Jr., Jaylen Sargent, Jaylan Bean and former QB Evan Svoboda.
 
But it all starts with inside run.
 
"It's great for Wyoming football and it's great for the D-tackles to go against them play by play, blow by blow making each other better," Robinson said. "Iron sharpens iron and what better way to do it than have your best versus best."
 
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