Welcome to Wyoming Football: Travis Franklin

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 | Travis Franklin Jr.

YEAR | Senior

HT/WT | 5',11", 186

HOMETOWN | Riverdale, Ga.

POSITION | Safety

JERSEY NUMBER | 9

PREVIOUS SCHOOL | Jacksonville State

YEARS OF ELIGIBILITY | One

NOTABLE | Travis Franklin Jr. Spent three years at Jacksonville State where he appeared in 37 games. He tallied 51-career tackles, including a high of 25 last fall. The Georgia native also tacked on three pass breakups and a forced fumble. He picked off one pass in '24.

QUOTABLE | "We had a lot of different reports on him. We knew a coach there who said really good things about him. We knew someone on their strength staff and found out a lot of really good things about him. When Travis got here I really, really liked his work ethic. I really liked how he just went about business, day in and day out. I've liked the progression that Travis has made this spring. You know, even one of the smallest little things is how he's improved vocally on the field and communicating and getting calls to people and things of that nature, which, at the beginning of the spring, he wasn't that way. Well, you're not that way when you're not that confident in what you're doing. Now, after repetition, repetition, I think he's got a basic confidence. He's a strong guy, runs very well and has a really good burst. Like I said, he was a solid player at Jacksonville State. They play good football and that whole thing. So we felt like he would be a really, really good addition for us, defensively. He's got a great attitude. He'll help us on special teams, too. So, I'm really thankful he's here," -- Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel on Travis Franklin's progression since arriving on campus.

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

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