‘Let’s Get It': Bruley Carrying on Father’s Legacy in Laramie

LARAMIE -- When Jay Sawvel's plane touched down in Tucson, he joked that the airport looked like a "refugee camp."

That's because his flight, along with dozens of others, was actually destined for Phoenix, more than 100 miles to the northwest.

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"It was a mess," Wyoming's head coach said one national signing day, flashing a grin. "And I got the last rental car."

It was all worth the hassle.

Sawvel was en route to witness firsthand the top defensive player on Arizona's best high school team. Dante Bruley was in the midst of a breakout season that saw the senior edge rusher tally an astonishing 101 total tackles -- 35 came behind the line of scrimmage -- and an equally jaw-dropping 18 quarterback sacks.

The hay was already in the barn, so to speak.

Bruley, behind closed doors, had already given his verbal commitment. Though Wyoming's staff planned to move him to linebacker, and UTEP and defending FCS National Champion Montana State were in the mix, he stood by his word.

He wanted to be a Cowboy -- just like his father.

John Bruley, from Wyoming, Minn., of all places, was a defensive lineman in Laramie, cutting his teeth under local legends like Mitch Donahue, Pat Rabold, David Edeen and fellow Minnesota native, Craig Schlichting, among many others. He had a front-row seat for Barry Sanders' record-breaking night in the 1988 Holiday Bowl. He suited up for Paul Roach's final game, a narrow loss to Cal in the '90 Cooper Bowl.

"It’s going to be surreal the first time I see him run onto that field with the Brown and Gold on," John Bruley said. "A dream come true for a father."

Despite the late-comers in the recruiting process, Sawvel felt that tie would also carry them through.

"That part was a big sell, obviously with his dad being here," he said. "His dad and mom both loved being here when they came to visit, meet the staff and kind of be around people, everything from that standpoint."

That lineage helped. So does Wyoming's linebacker legacy, Sawvel added.

Chad Muma is currently on the roster in New England. Logan Wilson just announced his retirement after six seasons in the NFL. Easton Gibbs got his shot at the pros. So did Cassh Maluia and Lucas Wacha.

There are also names like Jim House, Galand Thaxton, Paul Nunu and his father's old teammate, Mike Schenbeck, among others.

Sawvel said they foresee Bruley transitioning nicely to the position. Why? Well, he runs a 4.5 40-yard dash, for one. He's also 6-foot-1 and tips the scales at 220.

"His size, speed, physicality: I mean, this guy's a 400-pound bench guy, coming out of high school, running that fast," Sawvel said, eyebrows raised. "So, this is a freak athlete."

Bruley helped lead Basha High School to an Open Division state title last fall. In the highest, most-competitive tier, he was named the AZ Central Defensive Player of the Year. Along with First-Team All-State accolades, the senior was also a finalist for the Ed Doherty Award, which is essentially the prep Heisman Trophy in the state.

On Oct. 17, Bruley let the world know via social media he was bound for Laramie with three simple words: "Let's get it!"

What is it like for Dad to see his son carry on his legacy on the high plains?

"Hard to put into words. I never imagined it," John Bruley said. "I have been a Cowboys fan all of Dante’s life. He grew up with Wyoming Cowboys paraphernalia all over our house and in our closets, along with me singing him the Cowboy Joe song to put him to bed as baby."

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