LARAMIE – There was a lack of leadership within the Wyoming football program a year ago.
 
That's the opinion of head coach Jay Sawvel, returning players and even the candid sentiment from some of those bestowed captain during the three-win 2024 campaign.
 
The vibe in the coach's offices and locker room in the High Altitude Performance Center was much different after the Pokes' spring game Saturday at War Memorial Stadium.
 
"This is a really good day for University of Wyoming football," Sawvel said after the Gold defeated the Brown 21-7 in front of an impressive crowd.
 
Sawvel said nine of what he believed were UW's top 10 returning players from 2024 were retained through two transfer portal cycles to lead a bounce back season for the Cowboys.
 
The foundation of the 2025 roster was laid on signing day in 2021 when John Michael Gyllenborg, Jack Walsh, Caden Barnett, Andrew Johnson, Jaylen Sargent, Sam Scott and Tyce Westland arrived as developmental prospects.
 
These fifth-year seniors will lead the Pokes on and off the field this fall, and they are hellbent on ending their collegiate careers by leaving a winning legacy.
 
"I always say you can't put a price on loyalty," Walsh said. "I'm very happy and proud of all the guys that decided to stay here, especially the guys going into their fifth year at one place.
 
"It's special here and I couldn't see myself anywhere else. I'm really fortunate to have a good solid group of guys in my grade that wanted to stick it out. We're pumped to get back to work in the summer and have a good season."
 
Gyllenborg has Mackey Award talent and was coveted by contenders in the power conferences, including some teams that participated in last year's College Football Playoff.
 
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end never wavered in his loyalty to UW. If all goes according to plan, Gyllenborg will be the next great Cowboy to hear his name called in the NFL draft.
 
"Lots of temptations but when it really came down to it, when I really thought about what I want, it was to stay here," Gyllenborg said. "The opportunity that I had to be a leader along with other guys and go to war with the crew that we've got, it just really wasn't a hard decision for me."
 
Walsh has moved to center, which will enhance his résumé after playing guard and tackle for the Pokes in previous seasons. Barnett has moved from right tackle to right guard, which will also strengthen the interior of UW's offensive line and his prospects at the next level.
 
Johnson will lead a safety room full of impact newcomers, Sargent is poised for a breakout season at wide receiver, Westland is the team's best pass rusher and Scott led the Cowboys in rushing last season after beginning his career as a linebacker.
 
"I just think we have a bunch of dudes that love to play football and love doing it with each other," Barnett said. "I think we had a high ceiling last year that we just didn't reach. We also had a really low floor. I think we've raised the floor and made it where we're not letting (anything) slide."
 
Sawvel will not name captains this season. He doesn't want to limit the number of leaders on this team, whether they lead vocally or by example.
 
Kaden Anderson, the favorite to win the starting quarterback job, will be tasked with taking the offense to greater heights. Last year's starting quarterback, Evan Svoboda, is still one of the most respected players on the team and the poster boy for bleeding brown and gold.
 
Dante Drake, Ben Florentine, Jayden Williams, Caleb Robinson and Lucas Samsula headline a deep, talented defensive tackle group that could be one of the best units in the Mountain West.
 
Chris Durr Jr., despite only being a sophomore, has emerged as a leader in Jovon Bouknight's significantly improved receiver room.
 
"We have great leadership in this program right now," Sawvel said. "We've got things we need to improve at, but we've retained a lot of the key pieces we need."
 
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. 

Follow Ryan for more stories on Wyoming athletics on X at @By_RyanThorburn on Facebook at Wyoming Athletics and Instagram at wyoathletics. Also follow him at Pokes Insider at Gowyo.com/pokesinsider.