Does Wyoming Even Need A Fullback Anymore?

LARAMIE -- The extended length of time it took to even answer the question was telling.

Does Wyoming even need a fullback anymore?

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That was once sacrilegious speak around these parts. Former head coach Craig Bohl took pride in utilizing the bruiser in the backfield, paving a path for 1,000-yard running backs like Brian Hill, Nico Evans, Xazavian Valladay and Titus Swen.

The tougher the better.

Drew Van Maanen fit the role perfectly, from the neck roll to the dripping eye black.

The position has also been littered with locals like Yoder's Jeff Burroughs, Torrington's Skyler Miller, Sheridan's Parker Christensen, and most recently, Mountain View's Kimball Madsen and Gillette's Caleb Driskill.

That was then.

Bohl, known for his run-heavy, pro-style offense, had plenty of use for a full time lead blocker. Jay Sawvel, on the other hand, implemented a more balanced approach during his first season on the sidelines in Laramie. Seeing four wide receivers on this field these days is nothing new.

Wyoming ran the ball 460 times. Its quarterback duo of Evan Svoboda and Kaden Anderson combined for 347 pass attempts.

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Well ... we're waiting.

"Maybe, maybe not," Sawvel said earlier this month after an early morning workout.

The head coach does have a plan for his backfield.

"We have a unique tight end room right now," he said, referring to presumed starter John Michael Gyllenborg, along with Jake Wilson, Isaac Schoenfeld, Justin Erb and Svoboda, among others. "We're in a far different space at that position. We'll use those tight ends."

Unless a player is a can't miss prospect at this near-extinct position, Sawvel added, the days of recruiting fullbacks is all but over. He will instead, he said, take a flyer on a bigger, taller player who could possibly transition to another spot on the field.

Clay Nanke, for instance, was a defensive end at Colorado State before heading north in 2024 where he was moved to the tight end spot. The 6-foot-6 senior will now slide to the outside this fall where he will play wide receiver.

Hybrid is now the name of the game.

The Cowboys are set to begin spring practices Tuesday, March 25 in Laramie. The annual Brown and Gold Spring game will take place Saturday, April 26 inside War Memorial Stadium.

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