Welcome to Wyoming Football: Markell Holman
LARAMIE -- Wyoming, once again, has welcomed nearly 50 new faces to the roster this offseason.
Transfer portal era, am I right?
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 | Markell Holman
YEAR | Senior
HT/WT | 6',0", 210
HOMETOWN | Philadelphia, Pa.
POSITION | Running back
JERSEY NUMBER | 8
PREVIOUS SCHOOL | Western Illinois
YEARS OF ELIGIBILITY | One
NOTABLE | Markell Holman rushed for more than 100 yards in a game five times in 2025, including his final three outings where he racked up 427 and two touchdowns. During that same timeframe, he snagged 10 passes for 99 yards and a score. The Philly product led the Ohio Valley Conference with 1,063 rushing yards. He crossed the goal line seven times on the ground and averaged 4.6 yards per attempt. Holman, who spent a season each at Lackawanna College and Saint Francis University, both in his home state, came to the FCS school in Macomb with 917 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on his resume. Northern Arizona, Tennessee Tech, Central Connecticut, Fordham, Arkansas-Pine Bluff and North Alabama also offered this offseason.
QUOTABLE | "I'm going to say, I really don't know, honestly. But I feel like everything happens for a reason. So, I try not to pay too much attention to that. I really focus on who gave me the shot, but I definitely do think people have overlooked me. I'm just more so about proving the people who gave me the shot right rather than the people who didn't." -- Markell Holman discusses why he has flown under the recruiting radar since high school.
WELCOME TO WYOMING SUMMER SERIES:
* LB - Anthony Beavers Jr.
* S - Jett Vincent
* WR - Justin Popovich
* QB - Tyler Hughes
* CB - Junus McGraw
MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:
* Brooklyn Cheek Eyeing Starting Gig in UW Secondary
* Drake's Love Affair With Football Rekindled Through Adversity
* Richardson Has Coming-Out Party in Pokes' Spring Game
* Cowboy Offense Finds End Zone Five Times in Spring Game Victory
* Pokes' Latest Downfield Threat May Have Been on Roster All Along
* Wyoming Teammates on Johnathan Bush: 'He's Our Psycho'
* Josh Allen to Tyler Hughes: Wyoming Football 'One Step Away'
* New UW President on Athletics: 'We Will Compete'
* Landon Sims: 'You Can't Get Rid of Me That Easy'
* Sawvel Believes This Could Be His Best Defense at Wyoming
* Lofty Expectations Ahead for Desman Hearns
* Wyoming's Staff Expecting Inside Dominance From Jayden Williams
* PJ Jackson Looks an Awful Lot Like a Former UW Receiver
* Are the Cowboys Really Flirting With Adding an Option Attack?
University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players
Gallery Credit: 7220Sports.com
- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players
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