Cowboys Plan to Add Another QB After Batiste Departure

LARAMIE -- Jay Sawvel just added a quarterback to his offseason wishlist.

Wyoming's second-year head coach is in the market for a new signal caller after Deyon Batiste announced late last week he would be entering the NCAA Transfer Portal. Sawvel said his team will enter the 2025 campaign with five at that all-important position, even if that means adding a walk-on.

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"Look, at that position, it wasn't a surprise to us that if someone is fifth in the line right now, that is what happens," he said, referring to the 6-foot-5, 226-pound redshirt freshman from Houston. "So, we wish him the best and everything, but we'll add somebody."

Presumptive starter Kaden Anderson has been leading the way this spring, according to Sawvel. The three behind him -- Landon Sims, Mason Drube and Gage Brook -- have been fighting it out for the back-up spot.

Batiste, a former Iowa State commit, was bringing up the rear.

"You have to have better attention to detail than all the other guys in front of you," Sawvel said last Tuesday. "I was up here Sunday watching the scrimmage and I think I left at like four o'clock. Landon Sims is sitting in the offensive staff room watching video -- and it wasn't of Saturday. It was stuff that he had done previously throughout the week. This guy lives it. Mason Drube lives it. Gage Brook has improved quite a bit.

"It's not a knock on Deyon, that way, but it's just, that's a shark tank a little bit right now."

MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:

* Batiste enters portal, Pokes down to four QBs

* Double or nothing: Pokes' makeshift front five falters late

* Wyoming's Adrian Onyeigo learning the pass-rushing ropes

* Wyoming looking to add to roster with spring portal looming

* Can Wyoming's Gary Rutherford snag a starting gig?: 'No doubt'

* Wyoming cornerback to enter NCAA Transfer Portal

* Caleb Robinson: 'He was missed last year, for sure'

* Sawvel: It's a 'wide open' battle for back-up QB spot

* Cowboy football enters third week of spring camp

* Hendricks on edge rushers: 'Production pays the bills'

* Gary Harrell named running backs coach at Wyoming

* Pokes working on hurry-up offense, focus on 'middle eight'

The Cowboys featured five quarterbacks at the beginning of the 2024 campaign. That number dwindled to just two ahead of the season finale at Washington State.

Anderson, who was eventually named the starter in Week 9, was lost for the year with a concussion on the team's final home game. Jayden Clemons, a fifth-year senior, unexpectedly left the program before Wyoming hosted San Diego State in early October.

The original starter, Evan Svoboda, was not only benched after a forgettable performance at San Jose State, he made a position switch to tight end, where he still plays today.

That left only Brook and Batiste available against the Cougars.

Sawvel instead opted to bring Svoboda back into the fold.

The junior responded by leading the visitors to a 15-14 victory. An 18-yard touchdown pass down the seam to tight end John Michael Gyllenborg with just 24 seconds remaining secured the upset.

Sawvel plans to be a buyer during the spring portal window. He is looking for a punter, running back, wide receiver, an edge rusher and possibly a pair of defensive backs. That list also includes a "best available."

A number of potential signees will be attending the Cowboys' annual spring game this Saturday inside War Memorial Stadium, per a source.

"We have some other things that are kind of more pressing that I'm working with and dealing with right now, then we'll turn to that. We'll get the five," Sawvel said. "... Like, this next six days is a miserable six days to be a head football coach at a non-power conference level."

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