As the Wyoming Cowboys get ready for the 2026 football season, there’s a real sense of change in Laramie. Head coach Jay Sawvel and sports performance director Eric Donoval are working hard to build a strong foundation for what they hope will be a big year.
They’ve got a mix of returning leaders, fresh high school recruits, and transfers who could make a difference. The Cowboys seem determined to put together a competitive roster. Let’s take a look at what’s happening this offseason and how the team is preparing, both on the field and in the weight room.
Building a Strong Foundation: The Offseason Strategy
After the 2025 season wrapped up on November 29, Jay Sawvel wasted no time setting an aggressive offseason plan in motion. The priorities? Keep key players, sign 21 high school prospects, bring in offensive coordinator Christian Taylor from the Buffalo Bills, and add 20 transfers.
All this groundwork is supposed to set the Cowboys up for success when fall comes around. Whether it’ll pay off, well, we’ll see.
Retention of Key Players
Sawvel started by picking out his top 10 must-keep players before the transfer portal opened. Eight of them stuck around, which is honestly not bad at all. Some of the mainstays include:
- Running back Samuel “Tote” Harris
- Wide receiver Deion DeBlanc
- Tight end Jake Wilson
- Offensive tackles Rex Johnsen and Braylon Jenkins
- Cornerback Tyson Shamsid-Deen
- Nickel back Desman Hearns
- Linebackers Ethan Stuhlsatz and Gary Rutherford
- Defensive tackle Jayden Williams
This core group brings some much-needed leadership and experience. That continuity could make a big difference when the season gets tough.
New Additions: High School Recruits and Transfers
The Cowboys aren’t just relying on veterans. Six recruits from the 2026 class have already shown up early to join workouts and spring practice. The early birds are:
- Offensive lineman Grant Lott
- Cornerback Kendall Griffin
- Defensive tackle Tanielu Maafala-Barbasa
- Safety Therman Williams
- Wide receiver Jayden Williams
- Linebacker Mason Wright
On top of that, several transfers are joining the mix. Quarterback Tyler Hughes leads the pack, and there are others worth noting:
- Running back Markell Homan (Western Illinois)
- Wide receiver Justin Popovich (Lock Haven)
- Offensive lineman Jason Maciejczak (Nebraska)
- Defensive tackle Ja’Quan Redfern
- Linebacker Anthony Beavers (USC)
- Safety Jeff Vincent (Colorado State)
The Role of Eric Donoval in Shaping the Team
Eric Donoval, the director of sports performance for football, is right in the thick of things this offseason. His main focus? Setting clear standards and expectations, so everyone—rookies and veterans alike—knows what’s expected in terms of effort and attitude.
Groundhog Day Workouts: Setting the Tone
The Groundhog Day workout was a big deal in the winter strength and conditioning program. Donoval made it clear that this session was about more than just lifting weights; it was about setting the tone for the coming weeks.
He pointed out how the new guys showed up ready to compete, eager to learn, and not afraid of hard work. That kind of energy is contagious, and it’s exactly what you want when you’re building a team from the ground up.
Connecting the Dots: From Offseason to Game Day
Donoval even played a motivational clip from Texas A&M’s Mike Elko, who talked about how culture and offseason work led to a huge comeback win. That message hit home for the Cowboys. It’s a reminder that what happens in January and February really does matter when the games start in September.
He’s looking for mature, competitive athletes who can connect those dots between now and game day. The next couple of months are going to be huge as they head into spring ball and, before you know it, the season opener against Colorado State on September 5.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Season
The Mountain West schedule isn’t out yet, but we do know the Cowboys will kick things off with a non-conference Border War against Colorado State at Canvas Stadium. That’s always a big deal. Keeping the Bronze Boot in Laramie? Yeah, that’s a major motivator.
Motivation and Focus
Donoval and the coaches know exactly how much the Colorado State game means to Wyoming and its fans. Still, they’re focused on the day-to-day grind, making sure every practice and lift is a step toward something bigger.
As Donoval put it, If there’s a bigger vegetable that we could dangle than a carrot, I think we would. The team gets how important that first game is, but they’re not letting it distract them from the work right in front of them.
For more on the Cowboys’ offseason plans, check out the full article on Pokes Insider.
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For more Wyoming athletics stories, follow Ryan Thorburn on X at @By_RyanThorburn. You can also find updates on Facebook at Wyoming Athletics and on Instagram at wyoathletics.
Curious for more? He’s also at Pokes Insider: Gowyo.com/pokesinsider.
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