LARAMIE – Gage Brook has always been a quarterback and a Cowboy.
 
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound junior is the son of Mark Brook, who played linebacker at Wyoming from 1992-95, and his mother, Wende (Brown) Brook, played volleyball for the Cowgirls from 1991-94.
 
Brook's older sister, Taylor Brook, played soccer for the Cowgirls from 2021-24 and is engaged to former Cowboys' starting quarterback Evan Svoboda.
 
Not surprisingly, Brook made the decision to walk into head coach Jay Sawvel's office before spring practice to ask if he could attempt to transition from quarterback to tight end as Svoboda did last year to get on the field to help UW.
 
Through 12 practices, Brook has been one of the most consistent playmakers in the passing game. He spoke with the local media after catching a touchdown pass from Tyler Hughes in last Saturday's major scrimmage.
 
"It has felt great," Brook said. "I'm enjoying catching the ball. The good thing about playing quarterback is even though I don't catch it live in practice I'm still throwing and catching every day, so I think that has helped. It's feeling pretty natural right now."
 
Hughes, the talented graduate transfer coming off a productive run at William & Mary, and redshirt freshmen Mason Drube have taken the bulk of the snaps and Landon Sims has also been participating while recovering from a knee injury.
 
Brook has also had reps at quarterback this spring but spends most of his time with the tight ends.
 
"He has really good ball skills," offensive coordinator Christian Taylor said. "He has been excellent in the pass game. I think he'll be able to help us in that role. He's got some improvement to do in the run game, but he's got contact courage. He' not afraid he's just got some technique work to do there. He's done an excellent job in the passing game."
 
Taylor has been utilizing tight ends in a variety of spots on the field and the Pokes frequently operate out of two tight end sets.
 
Senior Isaac Schoenfeld has the most experience of the group. Promising young players like Jake Wilson, Kyle Frendt and Landon Pace will help fill the void of John Michael Gyllenborg.
 
Brook has two years to follow in the path of Svoboda, who has been interviewing and working out for NFL teams ahead of this weekend's draft.
 
"The biggest thing for Gage, a lot like Evan Svoboda, he came in and made the change and embraced it," tight ends coach Shannon Moore said. "Whatever his role is, he's going to go out and make every play he can make because he's determined. He's determined to make plays to prove he can get on the field, and he done a great job of when an opportunity finds him being able to make those plays."
 
Brook has been solid in pass protection while working on his blocking in the run game. His athleticism, reliable hands and size have made him an easy target for his peers in the quarterback room to find on the field.
 
"He looks pretty good at the position," Sawvel said. "He's got a lot of learning to do, he's got to improve as a blocker, but he runs well and his ball skills for the position have been surprising. He's a big target, so all a sudden it's like we picked up a potential guy that can do certain things for us."
 
Being a Cowboy quarterback isn't completely over for Brook, but the Fort Collins native will likely be contributing at tight end when UW opens the season against Colorado State on Sept. 5 in his hometown.
 
"I'm still trying to keep my vision broad when I'm learning the offense just in case I'm needed at quarterback so I can have a better understanding of everything," Brook said. "It has been a great offense; I've loved learning it and it's nice to learn with all the guys together."
 
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.