Welcome to Wyoming Football: Dante Bruley

LARAMIE -- Wyoming, once again, has welcomed nearly 50 new faces to the roster this offseason.

Transfer portal era, am I right?

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Jay Sawvel again made a list of 10 "keepers" last December, heading into free agency. Running back Samuel "Tote" Harris was, no doubt, high on that list. So were defensive tackles Dante Drake and Jayden Williams. The Cowboys' third-year head coach also wanted to hang on to players like tight end Jake Wilson, wideout Deion DeBlanc, nickel corner Desman Hearns and offensive tackles Rex Johnsen and Braylon Jenkins, among others.

Mission accomplished. All are back for another round on the high plains.

The team did lose its top-four outside targets, including leading receiver Chris Durr Jr., who is now at Maryland. Two impact cornerbacks also hit the open market. Tyrese Boss is at Arizona. Markie Grant headed west to former conference rival Utah State.

Wyoming will also have a new quarterback under center, snagging William and Mary graduate transfer Tyler Hughes, who has one season of eligibility remaining. The hope is he'll right the ship at that spot, keeping the seat warm for Gillette's Mason Drube.

The Cowboys also reloaded in the offensive backfield and at the line of scrimmage, adding 1,000-yard rusher Markell Holman and interior linemen Chandler Donaway, Jason Maciejcak and Jeremiah Katt.

You'll read all about those guys, along with 20-plus freshmen, in this summer series: Welcome to Wyoming football.

NAME | Dante Bruley

YEAR | Freshman

HT/WT | 6' 1", 220

HOMETOWN | Chandler, Ariz.

POSITION | Linebacker

JERSEY NUMBER | N/A

PREVIOUS SCHOOL | Basha High School

YEARS OF ELIGIBILITY | Four

NOTABLE | Dante Bruley will be a legacy player in Laramie. His father, John Bruley, lined up at defensive tackle for the Pokes from 1990-93. This three-star prospect -- and the No. 46 player in the state of Arizona, according to 247sports -- tallied 134 career tackles, 101 of those came last fall. He also tacked on 31 quarterback "hurries" and 18 sacks, which led the 6A classification. The edge rusher also found the end zone twice. He also blocked a field goal. Relentless. Playmaker. Motor. Those are three of the words Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel used to describe Bruley, who was also offered by the likes of Southern Utah, Northern Arizona and defending FCS national champion Montana State. The Cowboys' newest Mountain West foe, UTEP, also wanted the 220-pound pass rusher.

QUOTABLE | "He came and camped here and ran a 4.52 40 (yard dash), had a 35-inch vertical (leap) and had a 10-foot broad (jump). He has 94 tackles and 16 sacks, so the guy can play some football. He's pretty good," -- Wyoming Director of Player Personnel Austin Maus breaking down Dante Bruley on national signing day.

WELCOME TO WYOMING SUMMER SERIES:

* LB - Anthony Beavers Jr.

* S - Jett Vincent

* WR - Justin Popovich

* QB - Tyler Hughes

* CB - Junus McGraw

* RB - Markell Holman

* CB - Logan Mackey

* S - Travis Franklin Jr.

* WR - Jayden Williams

* LB - Karson Butts

* S - Da'Marion Brownlee