LARAMIE – Jack Walsh and Caden Barnett are preparing for the NFL Draft.
 
That means Wyoming needs a replacement at center and a vocal leader on the offensive line.
 
Jason Maciejczak is already taking on both roles during the Cowboys' spring practice. The 6-foot-3, 314-pound Nebraska transfer has been getting first-team reps at center and making his voice heard despite being a newcomer to the program.
 
"He takes charge of things up front," head coach Jay Sawvel said after UW wrapped up its second week of practice on Saturday. "He has all the other players' respect up there, so he's able to go ahead and make calls, make communication, get on people when he needs to."
 
Maciejczak, a junior from Pierre, S.D., appeared in 21 games for the Cornhuskers, mostly at offensive guard. The opportunity to be a foundational piece for the Pokes, specifically at the center position occupied by Walsh last season, led him from Lincoln to Laramie after entering the portal.
 
"I'm feeling some things out (at center) and it's a little different aspect to it than when you're at guard and don't have the ball in your hand. It's going well and I'm getting used to it," Maciejczak said of the transition. "The first thing (I liked about UW) was the personalities of the people. I loved the coaches, the staff, and the town. I loved everything about it here. I just felt like it was a great fit for me.
 
"Then when I get here and met all the guys, that's the biggest thing because you're with your teammates most of the time. I love every single one of my teammates and how we compete. It's awesome."
 
Maciejczak joins a unit that returns starting left tackle Rex Johnsen and starting right tackle Braylon Jenkins. Texas A&M Commerce transfer Chandler Donaway and sophomore Giovanni Panozzo have also been getting first-team reps at the guard spots.
 
There is improved competition and depth throughout the offensive line with Brandt Rice, Jonathan Bush, Caleb Hall, Quinn Grovesteen-Matchey and Josiah Petaia among the developing young players making a push.
 
"I'm really excited with the progress we've made and what we're seeing," Maciejczak said. "The biggest thing I saw was there wasn't really a vocal leader. I kind of came in and was kind of getting everyone on the same page. That's the biggest thing on the offensive line is five guys as one. When one guy doesn't do their job, someone pays for our mistake, so that's the biggest thing for me is getting five guys on one page."
 
Maciejczak (pronounced May-Jay-Check), whose teammates simply refer to as "Magic," is not shy about filling the O-line room with the shrill vocal leadership Barnett was known for.
 
"I've always been like that my whole life," Maciejczak said. "I'm not really a guy that cares if you don't like me right away, but when we win games and win the Mountain West Conference championship, we're going to like each other."
 
The Cowboys return to the field for the seventh spring practice on Tuesday. The annual Brown & Gold Game open to the public is April 25 at War Memorial Stadium.
 
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.
 
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