Welcome to Wyoming Football: Nathanial Watson

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 | Nathanial Watson

YEAR | Junior

HT/WT | 5' 10", 185

HOMETOWN | Littleton, Colo.

POSITION | Safety

JERSEY NUMBER | N/A

PREVIOUS SCHOOL | Colorado

YEARS OF ELIGIBILITY | Two

NOTABLE |  Nathanial Watson was only on the field for six defensive snaps last fall. Five of those came against his new team. The sophomore safety, though, wasn't tested through the air during Colorado's 37-20 win over the Cowboys last fall inside Folsom Field. The former walk-on played a role on four of the Buffs' special teams units in 2025 -- kick, kick return, punt and punt return -- earning "26 points," according to CU's official website. He was credited with three assisted tackles, 10 "spring blocks," three forced fair catches and a downed punt. Nine times he was also the first defender downfield. He finished his third and final season in Boulder with two official tackles.

QUOTABLE | "He played 160 special teams snaps at CU so I think he can help us," said a source familiar with the late signing.

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

* CB - Kendall Griffin

* RB - Diore Hubbard

* DE - Jack Dunkley

* S - Therman 'Boogie' Williams

* LB - Mason Wright

* DT - Ja'Quan Redfern

* DT - Tanielu Maafala-Barbasa

* DE - Thaddeus Gianaris

* OG - Chandler Donaway

* C - Jason Maciejczak

* OL - Grant Lott

* OL - Jeremiah Katt

* TE - Tyler Siddons

* DE - Donnie Wingate

* LS - Nathan Curry 

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?

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