Cowboys Land Speedy Wide Receiver From Texas Tech

LARAMIE -- "Explosive players make explosive plays."

That's a direct quote from Jay Sawvel, the day he was announced as Wyoming's next head football coach. It was in response to a question about the former defensive coordinator's offensive philosophy.

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"One thing we have to do, we have to make sure that we get explosive players the ball," he added. "We have to recruit, obtain and retain explosive players."

Sawvel and Co. did just that on Tuesday, inking Tyler "TK" King, a redshirt freshman wide receiver from Texas Tech. The Houston native only has one collegiate catch. That was a six-yard reception in a 63-10 rout of Murray State in the 2022 season opener.

King has four years of eligibility remaining.

Before signing with the Red Raiders, King was a two-time state medalist on the track, running a personal best, wind-legal 20.74 in the 200-meter dash to land third overall in Class 6A, the largest classification in the Lone Star State. He also took third in the 4x100 relay, landing a school record time of 40.50.

King also owns the fastest 200-meter time in Alief Taylor track history. He did that as a junior. His reportedly 10.21 second finish in the 100-yard dash also happened that year.

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King was dynamic on the football field, too.

The four-star prospect was named the District 23-6A Return Specialist of the Year during his senior season, averaging 17.4 yards a return with one touchdown. He also earned First Team honors as a receiver, snagging 40 catches for 780 yards and nine touchdowns. He was an All-District player as a junior, too.

Wyoming's Border War rival Colorado State offered the 5-foot-9, 180-pound speedster. So did Indiana, Houston, UTSA, Buffalo, North Texas, Memphis and Texas State, among others.

Miami (Ohio) and Stephen F. Austin, along with Wyoming, offered King this offseason.

King will join an inexperienced crop of pass catchers in Laramie. The Cowboys lost Gunner Gentry, Ayir Asante, Wyatt Wieland and Ryan Marquez to graduation. The top statistical returner is Alex Brown, who announced last weekend he will return for his sixth season at UW. He had just eight catches for 108 yards last fall.

"It's safe to say that there's going to be another receiver-plus added," Sawvel said on early signing day when asked if he would be targeting receivers in the portal. "We're not done."

Wyoming also has known offers out to wideouts Isaiah Alston (Army) and Chrysten Cochran (Arkansas-Pine Bluffs).

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players