Eight Cowboys Named Preseason All-MW by Athlon Sports

LARAMIE -- The 2025 Athlon Sports All-Conference teams were announced Monday, and eight Wyoming Cowboys were named to the Preseason All-Mountain West Team. Eight Cowboys were also named to the preseason All-MW team in June, courtesy of Phil Steele.

Get our free mobile app

OFFENSE

Caden Barnett – First Team Offensive Line

In 2024, Barnett appeared in all 12 games and started every contest at right tackle for the Brown and Gold. This offseason, the 320-pound Texas native will slide over to the guard spot. A veteran up front, Barnett has appeared in 35 games during his stint in Laramie. He helped the Cowboys record 604 yards of total offense in a road win over New Mexico, the most since recording that same number of yards on Nov. 20, 2021 at Utah State. Kaden Anderson, who was making his debut under center that afternoon in Albuquerque, threw for 342 yards, the most since Cam Coffman finished with 366 yards through the air in a 2015 loss to the Lobos.

Jack Walsh – First Team Offensive Line

Walsh appeared in and started 10 games for the Cowboys in 2024 and was a veteran upfront. He was named Second Team All-Mountain West for his efforts. Walsh, a 6-foot-3, 315-pound native of the Chicagoland area, recorded more than 650 snaps during the season and did not allow a sack. He recorded over 20 pancake blocks along the offensive line. Pro Football Focus ranked him the No. 25 guard in the nation and fourth in the MW. Walsh will also be switching positions this fall, now lining up at center instead of guard, replacing longtime starter Nofoafia Tulafono.

John Michael Gyllenborg – Second Team Tight End

Gyllenborg appeared in nine games last fall, making just six starts for the Cowboys after battling injuries throughout the season. A high-ankle sprain sidelined the Kansas native in the season and home openers against Arizona State and Idaho, respectively. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end was also forced to watch a road loss at Border War rival Colorado State after suffering a shoulder/ collarbone injury. He bounced back the following two weeks of the year, hauling in seven passes for 70 yards, including a game-winning 18-yard touchdown grab in a road upset at Washington State. Gyllenborg earned Second Team all-conference accolades after leading the Cowboys in receiving yards per game with 47.2. He was also tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns with three. He landed second on the team with 30 receptions and second in yards with 425. Gyllenborg finished with a career-high 137 receiving yards against San Jose State. It was the most by a Cowboy tight end since Jacob Hollister had 144 yards against Boise State in 2016. He also recorded seven games with three or more catches. He was the highest graded tight end in the MW, according to Pro Football Focus.

Wes King – Second Team Offensive Line

King appeared in and started eight games for the Brown and Gold. A veteran on the offensive line, the Appleton, Wisc., native did miss time with an injury. King started every contest at guard during the 2023 campaign, helping the Cowboys to a 66.7% conversion rate on fourth down. He also was a key blocker in the run game, which rolled up more than 2,000 yards. King, a left guard, joins Walsh and Barnett as the returning starters this fall.

Jaylen Sargent –Third Team Wide Receiver

Sargent appeared in all 12 games and made four starts in 2024. The Logan, Utah product earned Honorable Mention All-MW honors for the Pokes. He finished the season as the Cowboys leader in receiving yards with 480 and added two touchdowns. He ranked second in the conference in yards per reception at 23.3 and landed in 10th in receiving yards per game at 60. In the final three games of conference play, Sargent racked up 317 receiving yards and recorded six catches of 30 or more yards with two touchdowns. He had 186 yards receiving against New Mexico, the most by a Cowboy since Robert Herron torched San Diego State for 187 in 2012. He added four catches for 86 yards in a near upset of No. 12 Boise State.

Sam Scott – Fourth Team Running Back

Scott appeared in 10 games with four starts at running back. He led the team with 435 rushing yards on a career-high 92 carries. The Omaha product rushed for 43.5 yards per game and averaged nearly five yards per carry. Scott recorded three touchdowns on the season. He also added 12 receptions for 74 yards and a score. He recorded a career-high 115 yards rushing on just 11 carries in a narrow home loss to Utah State. He also added a touchdown that night against the Aggies. The senior bruiser finished with 19 carries and 97 yards on the ground against Air Force and added 94 more on 20 attempts versus San Diego State. He had three receptions for 52 yards and a score at North Texas.

DEFENSE

Tyce Westland – Fourth Team Defensive End

In 2024, Westland appeared in 11 games with six starts, five straight to close the season. He recorded a career-best 41 tackles, including 18 solo stops. The Nebraska native tacked on 23 assisted tackles to go along with six tackles for loss on the season, landing third on the team in that category. Westland added three sacks, the second most of any Cowboy. He also recorded a career-high eight tackles twice coming against Utah State and Colorado State. He recorded a tackle for loss against Arizona State, New Mexico, Colorado State and Washington State. He earned a strip sack against the Lobos that helped give the Cowboys the road win. He added five tackles against Air Force along with a half of a sack.

Jayden Williams – Fourth Team Defensive Tackle

Williams appeared in all 12 games with one start in 2024. He recorded 28 total tackles with 14 solo stops and 14 assisted tackles. The sophomore also added 1.5 tackles for loss. Williams recorded a career-high seven tackles at Colorado State. He had five assisted stops in that contest. The 6-foot-3, 302-pound Texan tallied four tackles against Arizona State, including one behind the line of scrimmage. Williams had three tackles in four other games during the season. He also recorded a 17-yard rush on a fake punt in the Cowboys home loss to San Diego State.

MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:

* Worried Wyoming Football Has Just Four Verbal Commits?

* Pokes Position Breakdown: Offensive line

* Welcome to Wyoming Football: Landon Pace

* Why did tight end John Michael Gyllenborg stay at Wyoming?

* Wyoming's Jaylen Sargent Looking to Leave a Legacy in Laramie

* 'He's going to be special': Bricen Brantley turning heads

* Wyoming Cowboys Football: A Mother's Day Tribute

* Former North Texas running back Damashja Harris inks with Pokes

* Cowboys land edge rusher from FAU in portal

* Cowboys go back to the well to sign latest defensive end

* Wyoming receives commitment from 6'6" senior wideout

* Tuck's Take: Wyoming won today's Brown and Gold Spring Game

* Who is No. 44?: 'He's a kid that's going to show up'

* Wyoming loses starting cornerback to transfer portal

* Wyoming's Dante Drake has been a menace in the trenches

* Cowboys plan to add another QB after Batiste departure

* Wyoming's rookie corner is turning heads this spring

* Double or nothing: Pokes' makeshift front five falters late

* Wyoming looking to add to roster with spring portal looming

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players