LARAMIE – The weather forecast for Wyoming's spring game on Saturday is calling for sunshine with a high of 67 degrees.
 
Second-year head coach Jay Sawvel is hoping a large crowd shows up to watch free football at high noon as the Cowboys conclude spring practice with the annual showcase.

"I hope there's 20,000 people at the spring game. That would be tremendous because we need to play in front of people," Sawvel said. "We have a whole football team that needs a final exam in front of people and that's what we're excited about."
 
Here are five storylines to keep an eye on Saturday:
 
1. The QB competition
 
Kaden Anderson accrued some valuable experience last season and is the favorite to be the Pokes' starting quarterback when the season kicks off on Aug. 28 at Akron.
 
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound redshirt sophomore made three starts and appeared in nine games last season. Anderson completed 58.3% of his passes for 955 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions.
 
Anderson, who suffered two devastating knee injuries at Texas high school powerhouse Southlake Carroll, has command of the offense and is a team leader entering the 2025 campaign.
 
"One of the biggest things for Kaden was his physical development," offensive coordinator Jay Johnson said. "Obviously, he had some significant injuries coming out of high school. I think through (last) summer, the fall and now particularly this winter is kind of the first time he's really been able to get his body prepared."
 
Anderson will play in the spring game, but the bulk of the snaps will be given to true freshman Mason Drube, junior college transfer Landon Sims and fast improving walk-on Gage Brook.
 
Sawvel is excited about the future of the quarterback room at UW. This will be a chance for some developing young prospects to make a public splash before summer workouts as they continue to push Anderson.
 
2. Secondary restock
 
The Cowboys do not return any starters in the secondary, but there are worthy candidates vying to make impacts at the cornerback, safety and nickel back positions.
 
Junior Ian Bell has experience at cornerback but has been limited due to injuries in the past two seasons. Junior college transfer BJ Inmon adds some experience. Redshirt freshmen Tyrese Boss and Markie Grant and true freshman Tyson Deen have flashed during the 14 practices leading into the spring game.
 
Andrew Johnson, a senior from Cheyenne, leads the secondary and is competing for the strong safety spot. Sophomore Thomas Jones has a good grasp of the scheme and is starting to show off his athletic gifts more consistently.
 
Malique Singleton returns with nickel experience and Caleb Merritt is more comfortable at cornerback after moving from wide receiver mid-season.
 
Safeties coach Jason Petrino has a list of impactful newcomers to find roles for, including transfers Justin Taylor (Wisconsin), Jaden DaCosta (Portland State), Desman Hearns (Southern Illinois) and Brooklyn Cheek (Cal).
 
"We have immense talent in that room, it's just maximizing it now," Andrew Johnson said. "We have a lot of guys who haven't played in this defense, haven't played in programs like this. We're going to be tough, downhill hitting safeties who can do it all."
 
3. Offensive tackles vs. defensive ends
 
Identifying more "winning" offensive linemen, particularly at the tackle positions, and disruptive edge rushers will be critical for the Cowboys during fall camp.
 
Jake Davies has been getting first-team reps at left tackle after getting thrown into the fire last fall as a redshirt freshman. Nathan Geiger, who won the job entering the 2024 season before suffering a torn ACL in the first quarter at Arizona State, was held out of spring practice but will be a fully cleared next month.
 
Caden Barnett, the longtime starting right tackle, has moved to right guard for his senior season, which opens up an opportunity for Rex Johnsen to win the job.
 
Two emerging young offensive linemen are redshirt freshmen Giovanni Panozzo and Braylon Jenkins. Alex Conn, a touted prospect coming out of high school, is in his second season battling for a spot on the tackle two-deep at UW. Junior college transfer Josiah Petaia is a "natural" but still relatively new to the position.
 
"It makes me more excited going to practice knowing I've got that competition and someone's coming for my spot," Johnsen said. "It makes me work that much harder because I want to keep my spot."
 
One of the program's rising stars, senior defensive end Tyce Westland, will be held out of the spring game. Weber State transfer Brayden Wilson is a candidate to start on the opposite side.
 
Defensive ends coach Brian Hendricks is trying to get Kevin Sjogren, Eltoum Murgus and Tell Wade game ready. Some other potential rotation candidates – Esaia Bogar, Axel Ramazani and Jordan Turnbull – are out with injuries.
 
"You can tell he cares, which is awesome," Wilson said of playing for Hendricks, who was an outstanding linebacker at UW. "As crazy as it sounds, he's someone that I want to be like when I'm older. He will get on you. He will jump you and get on you, but he is a fantastic dude. He loves the team, and you can tell that. There's something to be said about that."
 
4. More playmakers, please
 
Sawvel bluntly stated that last year's wide receiver room was completely lacking in leadership. That is not the case with the new positional coach.
 
Jovon Bouknight, who was inducted into the UW Athletics Hall of Fame last summer, is holding the group to the high standard he played at.
 
Chris Durr Jr. is a got-to target for Anderson and will be a problem for opposing defenses. True freshman Deion DeBlanc and converted tight end Clay Nanke will also create some matchup issues in the slot.
 
Jaylen Sargent is poised for a memorable senior season. Arizona transfer Jackson Holman adds Power 4 experience and physicality to the group. Two lanky receivers, 6-4 Jaylan Bean and 6-3 Bricen Brantley, are also competing on the outside.
 
"They're trending in the right way. All those guys have done good things," Jay Johnson said. "We've had some good additions there. I'm excited to see as we finish spring and have another good summer where that group will be."
 
The Cowboys' No. 1 playmaker, tight end John Michael Gyllenborg, will be held out of the spring game. Evan Svoboda will also miss the action with an injury.
 
But there are still some talented tight ends for the quarterbacks to throw to, including senior Justin Erb, junior Isaac Schoenfeld and sophomore Jake Wilson.
 
"We have to lean on that," Sawvel said of the depth. "Tight ends are a pain in the butt defensively. When you have a good one that can catch the ball and move and is a big body, it's hard to cover big bodies."
 
5. Just for kicks
 
There will not be any live kickoffs or punt returns during the spring game, but there could be some pressure-packed field goal attempts.
 
Erik Sandvik has been outstanding in practice this spring. This could be a chance for the sophomore to cement his position as the air apparent to John Hoyland.
 
"I've been trying to visualize what it's going to be like on the field with all the fans and the pressure because in high school I only had two field goal attempts," said Sandvik, a walk-on from Steamboat Springs, Colo. "I don't have much game experience, but I know that I'll be ready."
 
Keelan Anderson, a redshirt freshman from Cheyenne, also has a strong leg and will likely get an opportunity to shine on Saturday.
 
The placekickers have big shoes to fill. Hoyland leaves UW as the program's all-time leading scorer (366 points) after making 73 of 92 field goals (79.3%) and 147 of 148 extra points (99.3%) over the last five seasons.
 
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