Dawaiian McNeely Entering Portal After Five Years in Laramie

LARAMIE -- Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel said nine days ago the expectation was to have Dawaiian McNeely practicing this spring and with the team next season.

Those plans have changed.

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The senior running back Friday announced on social media he would be entering the NCAA Transfer Portal, becoming the 10th Cowboy to leave the program this offseason. The Ceres, Calif., native has one year of eligibility remaining.

"I would like to thank God, first and foremost, for the last five years at Wyoming," McNeely penned on X. "This has been some of the best times I've had in my life. I appreciate all of the coaches and everyone that got me to this point. But, with that said, I will be entering the transfer portal."

McNeely is just the second offensive player to transfer, joining wide receiver Tyler "TK" King. Defensive tackle Jaden Williams, along with safeties Koa McIntyre and Nikos Varelas, are also entering college football's version of free agency. So are edge rushers Braden Siders and Ethan Day, as well as linebacker Read Sunn and cornerback Naz Hill.

Cole DeMarzo, a senior linebacker who initially transferred from Michigan State, announced his retirement earlier in the week.

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* 'Evan Svoboda will be a tight end here next year'

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McNeely carried the ball just twice last fall after recovering from a torn ACL that cost him the entire '23 campaign. He was injured on both attempts, the latter a knee setback that would sideline him over the final nine weeks of the season.

The 6-foot-2, 213-pound back, sharing time with Titus Swen and DQ James, rushed for a career-high 356 yards on 63 attempts in 2022. McNeely's best outing came in a 27-20 victory at Hawaii. That night on the island, he rolled up 81 yards, including a 61-yard touchdown jaunt.

Sawvel said on Dec. 4 McNeely would be cleared for winter workouts.

Harrison Waylee is expected to return for his final collegiate season next fall. So is Sam Scott. The staff also signed three freshmen running backs last week: Jaden Lawrence (Parker, Colo.), Samuel "Tote" Harris (Cibolo, Texas) and Grayson Rigdon (Columbus, Texas), who will play in the 3A UIL State Championship game next Thursday inside Arlington's AT&T Stadium.

Nico Hamilton, Mitchell Anderson and Dontae Burch are also on the current roster.

University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players

During the summer of 2021, 7220Sports.com counted down the Top 50 football players in University of Wyoming history, presented by Premier Bone & Joint Centers, Worthy of Wyoming.

The rules are simple: What was the player's impact while in Laramie? That means NFL stats, draft status or any other accolade earned outside of UW is irrelevant when it comes to this list.

This isn't a one-man job. This task called for a panel of experts. Joining 7220's Cody Tucker are Robert Gagliardi, Jared Newland, Ryan Thorburn, and Kevin McKinney.

We all compiled our own list of 50 and let computer averages do the work. Think BCS -- only we hope this catalog is fairer.

Don't agree with a selection? Feel free to sound off on our Twitter: @7220sports - #Top50UWFB

Gallery Credit: 7220Sports.com

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players