Does Cheek Have Inside Track on Starting Safety Spot?

LAS VEGAS, Nev., -- Jay Sawvel said he now sees why the University of California took a chance on Brooklyn Cheek.

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He even tossed in a little dig at that former conference, saying he was initially signed by a "real" Pac-12 program.

"He is off the charts in speed, power and he's 205 (pounds)," Wyoming's third-year head coach said, referring to the sophomore, who is readying for his second full season in Laramie. "He has developed physically."

While Jones Thomas likely has the free safety spot pinned down heading into fall camp next week, Cheek has certainly made his case to be his running mate in the Cowboys secondary.

Redshirt freshman Kaiden Kimble-Turner and Colorado State transfer Jett Vincent are also in the mix, according to a source familiar with the situation. Desman Hearns will man the nickelback position.

Cheek, an Oakdale, Calif., product was on the field for just 91 defensive snaps in 2025, including a spot start against San Jose State in mid October. He was targeted by opposing quarterbacks six times, allowing two catches for a grand total of 15 yards. For of those attempts -- and just one grab -- came against the Spartans and a receiving corps that featured the nation's leading receiver Danny Scudero.

In May, Cheek relived that anxious outing, joking that Scudero, who snagged six passes for 151 yards and four touchdowns -- in the first half -- was his main assignment late in regulation with Wyoming up by just seven on the scoreboard.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little worried about that play," Cheek said, adding that night was the most excited he's ever been to appear in a football game. "I was like, 'Oh, geez, here he comes, running at me.' You know, this is a guy that's probably running low 4.4 or 4.3 (40-yard dash times)."

Safeties coach Jason Petrino said last spring that outing from Cheek was "mostly positive" and he never gave him a reason to remove him from the lineup.

Cheek capped his first year on the high plains with eight tackles, three of which came on special teams, and an overall defensive rating of 65.4, according to Pro Football Focus.

That's "above average and solid," per the analytics website.

After a strong showing in camp, Sawvel said the former three-star prospect has a confidence level that is night and day compared to when he arrived on campus. A concussion during fall camp certainly didn't help matters.

"From an offseason conditioning, offseason program level, he got much stronger," Sawvel continued. "He's bigger right now than he was a year ago and all that has translated to added confidence.

"I think that there's a really good ceiling that he can reach -- and we're not there yet. We still have a lot of work to do, but I like the trajectory that he's on right now."

The battle at strong safety is one of many to keep an eye on this August as the Cowboys prepare for their season opener Sept. 5 at CSU.

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