LARAMIE – Joe Tripodi knew Jack Walsh and Caden Barnett would be missed as much for their leadership as their play.
 
Wyoming's offensive line coach leaned on the versatile Walsh and vocal Barnett the past two seasons after the room said goodbye to Frank Crum following the nine-win 2023 campaign.
 
Tripodi found the perfect hybrid of Walsh's lead-by-example mentality and Barnett's fiery personality in Jason Maciejczak.
 
The 6-foot-3, 310-pound Nebraska transfer has seized the reins of the center position previously occupied by Walsh and demonstrated the boisterous leadership qualities current Chicago Bears guard Barnett brought to the huddle.
 
"That's a good way to put it. He's a good mix of both of them," Tripodi said. "He does have a little bit of both of them in him."
 
Maciejczak, who played in 21 games for the Cornhuskers, made a visit to UW as a junior in high school and met Tripodi during the recruiting process. That relationship paid off for both sides when the talented junior from Pierre, S.D., entered the transfer portal looking for a bigger role with a new program.
 
"I did know a little bit about the University of Wyoming," Maciejczak said. "I really think it was just the coaches and the atmosphere. It was what I was looking for, a place to thrive and where I could do my thing and know I could play football."
 
Tripodi had Maciejczak earmarked for the interior of the line, where the Cowboys were auditioning new starters at center and both guard positions.
 
It became apparent in the spring that "Magic" could be trusted to make the line calls and handle the snaps.
 
"Toughness," Tripodi said of Maciejczak's traits. "I like the fact that he has a defensive line background. You look at all the high school stuff, and he was an explosive shot putter and really the whole package that way. Yeah. He has the toughness and he's a smart young man."
 
Maciejczak's football IQ and drive to prove himself in the Mountain West perfectly aligned with Tyler Hughes, the dynamic William & Mary transfer.
 
UW's new starting center and quarterback will be the first two players to touch the football on almost all of the team's offensive plays this season.
 
"The thing that's really cool about Tyler is he's always here, he's always working, he's always watching tape, and he brings other people with him," Tripodi said. "We'll be up in our offices later and he'll have a different position group in there with him. I know that Magic and him like watching tape. Tyler likes watching tape with the O-linemen, which I think is really important because it's a player-driven deal. When you have that from the quarterback spot, you're pretty excited."
 
The adrenaline will be pumping and emotions will be running high when the Pokes open the season against Colorado State on Saturday at Canvas Stadium (4 p.m., USA).
 
UW's offense had a nearly blemish-free final scrimmage on Aug. 22. Avoiding procedural penalties, missed assignments and turnovers will be critical for the Cowboys as they attempt to secure a road win in the Border War to open the season.
 
"Playing center comes with a great responsibility. I've really embraced that," Maciejczak said. "It's good to control the offensive line and get everyone on the same page. A saying we have is if we're all on the wrong page, but we're all on the same page, we have a chance. It has been a really good role to have."
 
UW returns left tackle Rex Johnsen (6-5, 308) and right tackle Braylon Jenkins (6-4, 315).
 
Either 6-3, 307-pound redshirt freshman Kalvin Janssen or 6-3, 313-pound junior Josiah Petaia will start at left guard, while 6-5, 314-pound sophomore Giovanni Panozzo won the starting right guard job. 
 
Chandler Donaway, who missed part of fall camp for personal reasons, will eventually get playing time at either guard position when he is back in game shape.
 
UW head coach Jay Sawvel believes new offensive coordinator Christian Taylor's scheme and Hughes' mobility will take some of the pressure off the O-line's shoulder pads.
 
"From the start of it, (Taylor's) offense, his scheme has been what I look for as a player," Maciejczak said. "We're going to be fast, physical, and we're going to run the ball, which is an offensive lineman's dream. He has done a really great job, and I think we have a great game plan to go down to Fort Collins with."
 
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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