Hawaii Notebook: Sawvel Confident in Retaining, Adding Talent

LARAMIE -- Is Jay Sawvel sweating the approaching NCAA Transfer Portal window?

If he is, he certainly isn't showing it.

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"There's a number of very important players on this team right now that would be very important for us a year ago, that I have a real strong confidence that you'll see back here next year," Wyoming's head coach said Monday during his weekly press conference.

Which ones?

While Sawvel wasn't getting into specifics, he did say linebacker should be a real position of strength with the return of Ethan Stuhlsatz and Gary Rutherford. He even threw out names like Dash Bauman, Steven Perez and Parker Moore. Rookie cornerback Tyson Deen said he's coming back. He also thinks starters Tyrese Boss and Markie Grant are in it for the long haul, too.

Defensive tackles Dante Drake and Caleb Robinson could be in the mix. Both suffered a torn Achilles in fall camp.

"A number of those are on that defense that I'm looking at that should be back and should be major contributors," Sawvel added. "I've got no reason to think that they won't be, so we're in a pretty good spot there."

Notice how none of the guys listed play offense, aside from Deen, who has been getting reps of late at wide receiver?

"There's a couple things, in a big way, that we need to get fixed," Sawvel continued. "And first and foremost, we got to score points. I'm so pissed that we're not scoring points. We're going to get that addressed."

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The Cowboys currently rank 127th in the nation, averaging just 16.8 points per game.

Sawvel has already started to recruit the players on this current roster that he hopes to keep around. That began during the team's second bye week earlier this month. The more direct conversations, he added, will come after next Wednesday's early signing day, where Wyoming is expected to ink 20-plus high school prospects.

$2.5 million would also help.

That's what Sawvel said Monday Wyoming needs NIL-wise to compete for championships. "We're not close," he added, when asked if the current number is anywhere near that.

Still, despite those hurdles, he was able to retool a Cowboys defense during the offseason that gave up more than 28 points per game in 2024. That number is now 19.9.

Does Sawvel expect everyone on his wish list to stay put?

That would be naïve, he said.

"Does that mean every single person? Obviously, probably not, in 2025's world," he continued.

The lone transfer period will open Jan. 2.

Here are some other notes from Sawvel's presser:

* Leading rusher Samuel Harris will miss Saturday's regular season finale at Hawaii. The dynamic rookie they call "Tote" suffered a right knee injury and will soon undergo an MRI. Linebacker Enock Sibomana is in the same boat and isn't expected to play on the islands. Chisom Ifeanyi is dealing with a nagging high-ankle sprain. The defensive end said today he is going to try and give it a go, but that decision is yet to be made. Running back Terron Kellman missed the Nevada game with an eye issue. Sawvel said he's not sure if the junior will be ready to play. "It's kind of hard to play when you can't see very well," he added.

* What is Sawvel's evaluation of this offense through 11 games? Seriously? Wyoming has scored just 17 combined points in the last three outings, all losses. "There's a lot of things, obviously, on that side of the ball that we've got to address and fix," he said. "I know what I want this to look like. We don't look anything like it right now."

* Wyoming's defense is allowing only 19.9 points per game. That ranks that unit 23rd in the nation. All of the team's above the Cowboys in the standings have at least seven victories. "In today's football, having a 4-7 record right now, that's almost unheard of," Sawvel said. "So, in fact, it is, because we're the only team that's in that spot."

* Josh Allen, of course, was in town last Saturday to take part in his jersey retirement ceremony. The night prior, he spoke to this current team. He also took questions and an individual photo with all 100-plus players. What stood out most to Sawvel? "I thought one of the questions that was best, one of our freshmen asked him, 'What is your why about playing football?' Like, 'Why?' I love the answer. He didn't take a millisecond to answer. He's just like, 'I f------ love it. Bottom line." Who has that mentality on this squad? Sawvel immediately brought up two freshmen: wideout Deion DeBlanc and Deen.

* Wyoming is taking on a seven-win Hawaii team to cap the season. There's absolutely nothing on the line aside from pride -- and the Paniolo Trophy -- traveling hardware between the two teams that weighs roughly 60 pounds. Sawvel said they need to find a way to move the ball down the field and put points on the board, something that has been all but impossible over the final month of the season. Remember when no one gave the Cowboys a chance when they were in a similar position last November? "We're going to need to play a tremendous game to have a chance to win this week, OK? And, first and foremost, it starts with the fact that we need to be efficient and effective." Wyoming stunned Washington State 15-14 in Pullman with back-up quarterback Evan Svoboda under center.

* The Roaring Repeater Podcast will air again this Tuesday with Cody Tucker and Jared Newland behind the mic inside our Cheyenne studios. Make sure to watch our social media feed, where we'll be asking you, the fans, for any questions you may have before the home finale.

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