Cowboys Add ‘Raw’ Offensive Lineman to the Mix

LARAMIE -- Josiah Petaia didn't play a single snap of football in high school.

He didn't suit up in junior high or peewee leagues, either.

Last fall's first team all-conference offensive lineman at Long Beach City College instead was a middle hitter on his prep volleyball team.

Now, he's a Wyoming Cowboy.

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The 6-foot-4, 290-pound California product inked with the program Wednesday, becoming the 12th addition this offseason. He is the lone lineman to sign and will join a unit that returns 4-of-5 starters, along with left tackle Jake Davies, who started the team's final 11 games. No one in that unit entered the Transfer Portal, either.

Petaia currently has three seasons of eligibility remaining, but with the NCAA's JUCO waiver ruling, could have four.

"I chose Wyoming because I believed it would be a good fit for me academically, environmentally and, during my visit, I felt the program had a lot to offer me," said Petaia, who started all 11 games at left tackle during his lone year of organized football. "... During the whole process after the season I wanted to wait because I was fairly new to it. I wanted to go over it with my family. I would say I got a feel for the whole atmosphere and the culture of Wyoming, which led me to make my decision."

Fairly new is an understatement.

Petaia grayshirted during the 2023 season, meaning he delayed his enrollment until the second semester so he could simply learn the game of football. His older brother and two cousins were already sophomores on the Vikings roster.

"I had nothing to lose," he added.

Petaia spent time on the scout team, going up against what he called some "really good players." That's when he began to take this whole football thing seriously. Having supportive teammates and coaches, he said, only helped accelerate his growth in the game.

"I prayed a lot about this whole thing I had going on because I am a Christian first," he said, adding that he is full Samoan. "I just thank God for enabling me to continue this journey that just started."

Hawaii offered this winter. So did Cal Poly.

Wyoming it is.

"The coaching staff, the facilities and the support from the city all looked surreal to me," Petaia said. "Laramie seems like a great city with a lot of support for the team. The scenery was really nice, as well."

Jay Sawvel and Co. are expected to welcome another transfer this week, according to a source familiar with the situation. The staff is still looking to add an experienced quarterback and possibly two more wideouts.

Spring practice in Laramie is set to begin March 25.

Here's the full list of known incoming transfers:

* BJ Inmon - Sophomore - Cornerback - 5'11", 170 - Snow College - Las Vegas, Nev.

* Jaden DeCosta - Sophomore - Defensive back - 6'1", 200 - Portland State - Inglewood, Calif.

* Eric Richardson - Junior - Wide receiver - 6'1", 178 - NW Missouri State - Saint Robert, Mo.

* Brayden Wilson - Senior - Defensive end - 6'5", 255 - Weber State - Kaysville, Utah

* Ethan Stuhlsatz - Junior - Linebacker - 6'5", 225 - Lindenwood - Wichita, Kan.

* Justin Taylor - Sophomore - Safety - 6', 200 - Wisconsin - Broadview, Ill.

* Brayden Johnson - Senior - Linebacker - 6'3", 235 - Oklahoma Baptist - Ringling, Okla.

* Brooklyn Cheek - Freshman - Safety - 6'2", 195 - Cal - Oakdale, Calif.

* Desman Hearns - Junior - Nickelback - 6', 195 - Southern Illinois - Clearwater, Fla.

* Terron Kellman - Junior - Running back - 5'8", 185 - Charlotte - Clinton, Md.

* Dawan Martin - Grad Transfer (Two years eligibility) - Edge - 6'4", 250 - Youngstown State - Youngstown, Ohio

* Josiah Petaia - Sophomore - Offensive lineman - 6'4", 290 - Long Beach City College - Long Beach, Calif.

MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:

* Mountain West adds Northern Illinois as football-only member

* Pokes snag Youngstown State edge rusher in portal

* Terron Kellman lands in Laramie after two seasons at Charlotte

* Kirkwood named running backs coach at Wyoming

* Gordie Haug accepts assistant head coach position at North Dakota

* How did Wyoming football fare in this transfer portal window?

* Wyoming RB enters portal after NCAA's "JUCO ruling'

* Wyoming's Tyrecus Davis granted extra year, enters portal

* Gillette product Kayden LaFramboise entering transfer portal

* Pokes snag freshman safety from Cal out of portal

* Wyoming WR Justin Stevenson entering transfer portal

* Cowboys sign Oklahoma Baptist linebacker Brayden Johnson

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