Wyoming Adds Power-4 Piece to New-Look Backfield

LARAMIE -- Wyoming has added another piece to its backfield.

Running back Max White announced Sunday on social media he has officially committed to the Cowboys after spending four seasons at the University of Iowa. The former walk-on has one year of eligibility remaining.

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Jay Sawvel said he was in the market for a tailback -- or two -- after presumed starter Harrison Waylee unexpectedly entered the NCAA Transfer Portal in mid-March just before the start of spring practices.

Dawaiian McNeely and Jamari Ferrell also tested the free-agent market and senior Sam Scott was sidelined throughout camp with a lingering knee bruise, according to the second-year head coach.

Nico Hamilton, a redshirt freshman, suffered a broken left arm late last Saturday in the annual spring game, but is expected to eventually join his teammates in summer workouts. Same can be said for Scott.

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White appeared in all of the Hawkeyes' 27 games over the last two seasons, becoming a mainstay on special teams. The 5-foot-10, 187-pound Cedar Rapids, Iowa product rushed for just 35 yards on six carries last fall. The year prior, he finished with three yards on the same number of attempts and scored from the goal line in a 41-10 rout of Western Michigan.

White also returned four kickoffs during his stint in Iowa City. He averaged 21.3 yards per attempt in 2024.

Three times White has earned a team honor, including the Brett Greenwood Award (Coaches appreciation, special teams), the Team Hustle Award in '23 and Team Leader Award during his redshirt freshman campaign.

Nebraska, along with South Dakota and South Dakota State showed interest in the two-way star at John F. Kennedy High School. The former All-State running back -- White rushed for more than 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns -- also lined up at quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back.

Wyoming also added 5-foot-8, 208-pound Charlotte transfer Terron Kellman during the offseason. Dontae Burch is back for his second year. Safeties Jevon Davis and Nikos Varelas filled in at that short-handed spot throughout the spring. It's not clear if those moves will be permanent.

Three freshmen -- Samuel "Tote" Harris (Cibolo, Texas), Patrick Broadway II (Houston, Texas) and Jaden Lawrence (Parker, Colo.) -- will arrive on campus later this month.

Another FBS running back will also visit Laramie, according to a source familiar with the situation. Sawvel has said he wants to be "eight-deep" at the position."

White is the fifth known commit since the spring game, joining wideout Michael Fitzgerald (Central Missouri), punter Bart Edmiston Jr. (Jones Community College) and edge rushers Peter Eyabi (Riverside City College) and Chisom Ifeanyi (Florida Atlantic).

Summer workouts in Laramie are scheduled to begin May 26.

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players