What Have The Cowboys Lost So Far To The Transfer Portal?

LARAMIE -- Wyoming has lost 14 players to the NCAA Transfer Portal since the conclusion of the 2023 season.

Nine of those guys have left the program this spring.

On its face, that final number could appear troubling. Here's the digit that really matters: Five.

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That's how many games the latest free agents -- cornerback Chauncey Carter, safety Garrett McGriff, offensive linemen Forrest Scheel, Jaxon Galica and Kuba Tyszka, defensive back Josh Dixon, edge rusher Keelan Cox, running back Tyler Jacklich and quarterback Carson May --  appeared in during their brief career in Laramie.

Dixon, a sophomore from McKinney, Texas, played in three. He capped his two-plus year stint at Wyoming with a single solo tackle. Carter played last November against UNLV and Cox saw time against Air Force.

The other five players -- wide receiver Chase Locke, linebackers Cayden Hawkins and Brady Hultman, running back DQ James and cornerback Kolbey Taylor -- also played sparingly.

Locke and Hultman were buried on the depth chart. So was Hawkins, who appeared in just three contests, all on special teams. Taylor started six games for the Cowboys last fall before being benched over the final two weeks of the regular season and in the Arizona Bowl. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Houston product was also suspended for the Week-3 tilt at Texas for violating team rules.

James suffered the same fate, only his punishment was permanent. The 5-foot-7, 170-pound speedster was dismissed from the team in late September.

Those guys have combined for 452 rushing yards, 58 receiving yards, 33 tackles, zero touchdowns and the same number of interceptions.

Hultman has since landed at the University of Missouri. Taylor was picked up by Vanderbilt this offseason. Hawkins, who left for Louisiana Tech, announced today he is re-entering the portal.

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Jay Sawvel said he wouldn't be doing any "shopping" this offseason, but did say the team was targeting a punter. Wyoming's rookie head coach also said in mid-April the goal of the portal is to utilize it to the program's advantage.

That can mean by addition -- or subtraction.

"Part of it has to do with the fact that you have to have spots," Sawvel said, referring to the 85-scholarship limit. "You know, I think we signed 23 high school players this past year and three portal players. I mean, that's going to be our recipe for success."

The arrivals have so far impressed.

Running back DJ Jones, a senior who spent the previous four seasons at the University of North Carolina, rushed for 77 yards on just 12 attempts in last Thursday's spring game. He also snagged a 35-yard screen pass and scored a touchdown.

Former Texas Tech wideout, sophomore TK King, also hauled in three passes for 27 yards inside War Memorial Stadium. Evan Eller, a graduate transfer from the Virginia Military Institute, was also active from the linebacker spot.

"I think, as far as the leaving part, I mean, guys that are in (the portal) from here -- we wish them well," Sawvel said.

The NCAA Transfer Portal closes today for all underclassmen. Graduate transfers must enter by Wednesday.

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