Welcome to Wyoming Football: Jaden Lawrence
LARAMIE -- Wyoming has welcomed nearly 50 new faces this offseason.
Transfer portal era, am I right?
Jay Sawvel knew a rebuild on defense was in order after losing both starting linebackers and safeties, along with leaders like Jordan Bertagnole and DeVonne Harris. The departures of Wrook Brown, Sabastian Harsh and Keany Parks only magnified things.
The second-year head coach got busy, inking a dozen transfers on that side of the ball on February's traditional signing day and adding three more since the annual spring game.
On offense, the damage was limited.
Yes, running back Harrison Waylee is now at Virginia. Young wideout Justin Stevenson is a Utah Ute now, too. But if you ask Sawvel, he kept the players he wanted on offense, beginning with quarterback Kaden Anderson.
Three of the Cowboys' top linemen -- Jack Walsh, Caden Barnett and Wes King -- are also back. So is tight end John Michael Gyllenborg, wide receivers Chris Durr Jr. and Jaylen Sargent, along with leading rusher Sam Scott.
So, without further ado, let's spent the summer meeting the new players that litter this 2025 roster:
NAME | Jaden Lawrence
YEAR | Freshman
HT/WT | 5' 10", 185
HOMETOWN | Parker, Colo.
POSITION | Running back
JERSEY NUMBER | 20
PREVIOUS SCHOOL | Legend High School
YEARS OF ELIGIBILITY | Four
NOTABLE | The top running back in Legend High School history, Jaden Lawrence rushed for nearly 1,800 yards and a dozen touchdowns while leading the Titans to their first ever state championship game appearance last fall. The 185-pound speedster also snagged 24 passes out of the backfield for 276 yards and five more scores. Lawrence, who is Legend's all-time leader in rushing yards and touchdowns, along with all-purpose yards and touchdown receptions, capped his decorated prep career with 2,801 yards on the ground to go along with 37 scores. The three-star recruit and No. 14 prospect in the state of Colorado, Lawrence eclipsed the 100-yard mark on the ground 12 times. He also caught 14 touchdown passes. Aside from Wyoming, Front Range rival Air Force was the only other FBS school to offer a scholarship. Lawrence was also courted by Minot State and Sioux Falls.
QUOTABLE | "He's a local kid, camped here this summer. He tested really well, camped really well. Good track guy. I can't remember the exact number, but good in the 100-meter (dash). He ran really well at camp, smooth, fluid, great out of the backfield and does a lot of things. A lot of versatility there and a guy we're excited to develop," former UW Director of Player Personnel Kirby O'Meara said last December on early signing day.
WELCOME TO WYOMING FOOTBALL SERIES:
* BJ Inmon
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University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players
Gallery Credit: 7220Sports.com
- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players
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