LARAMIE, Wyo.  (July 28, 2025) – The Wyoming Cowboy football team and second-year head coach Jay Sawvel opened the 2025 season on Monday with the first official practice of the season. The 21-period practice this morning was held on the grass at the North 40 Fields, as it is the first of 24 this fall prior to the season opener at Akron on August 28.
 
Thoughts from Head Coach Jay Sawvel
"It was good to get out on the field today and it was good to get some work in. It is Day One and we got activity and there was good effort, and we need to work to get into football shape. I thought for the most part the mechanics of the practice went well, and I thought we didn't have guys all over the place and I was happy to get started."
 
Depth Up Front on the Offensive Line
 
The Cowboys bring back a veteran offensive line with a pair of preseason All-Mountain West selections in offensive guard Caden Barnett and center Jack Walsh. The duo were named to the team at MW Media Days. Barnett has appeared in 35 games for the Brown and Gold. Last season, Pro Football Focus ranked Jack Walsh the No. 25 guard in the nation and fourth in the MW.
 
Wyoming also welcomes back veteran Wes King along with Jake Davies, who started at tackle. Others that saw time last season include Nathan Geiger, Rex Johnsen, Quinn Grovesteen-Matchey along with Luke Sandy, who saw extended action in 2023 after missing last season with an injury.
 
Preseason Watch List Season
 
Also announced on the opening day of fall camp was that four Cowboys appeared in the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000, the annual list looking into the game's scouting process and beginning to preview college players who are currently all-star game eligible for the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl and 2026 NFL Draft class.
 
The four Cowboys include tight end John Michael Gyllenborg, offensive guard Wes King, center Jack Walsh and defensive end Tyce Westland.
 
The Mountain West had 36 selections and the 36 selections are fifth-most in the FBS, trailing only the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC, in that order.
 
The Cowboys return to practice on Tuesday morning for the second practice of the season.