Wyoming Wideout Deion DeBlanc Could Still Redshirt This Fall

LARAMIE -- Deion DeBlanc's name is nowhere to be found on the Cowboys' depth chart.

The rookie was the team's punt and kick returner until last Saturday night's tilt with nationally-ranked Utah. Now that job belongs to wide receiver Charlie Coenen and running back Max White, respectively.

What gives?

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Turns out one of the prizes of Wyoming's 2025 recruiting class might be redshirting this fall. The ultimate decision, though, hinges on circumstance, Jay Sawvel said.

"I wouldn't say that's the end of Deion DeBlanc as far as this year, obviously, we still have two more games that we can utilize him. He may not redshirt at all, either," Wyoming's second-year head coach said, calling it a "shared decision." "A lot of it is just based on his growth and then also a tangible role. You know, it's hard for me to look at a guy and go, 'Hey, we're playing you five plays a game, eight plays a game, and you lose your year of eligibility.'"

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The Texas native was on the field for just three snaps at wide receiver in the opener at Akron. He reached that same number the following week against Northern Iowa. He never left the bench in Week 3.

DeBlanc has returned four punts for 53 yards, including a 24-yarder in the win over the Panthers.

With two games still to play with before losing a year of eligibility, Sawvel said he wants to be "judicious" about when to insert DeBlanc into the lineup. Injuries can play a major role in that.

Sawvel said the true freshman approached him, asking about his role in the offense. Chris Durr Jr., the Cowboys' leading receiver, plays the same slot position as DeBlanc, creating little to no playing time.

"It's just unfortunate, the guy he's playing behind is obviously one of our best players and best guy to get the ball to," wide receivers coach Jovon Bouknight said, adding that no matter how this shakes out he respects the decision of both the player and head coach. "Chris has been absolutely amazing and that's nothing against Deion."

DeBlanc is a three-star prospect out of powerhouse North Shore High School in the Houston suburbs. There the 5-foot-10, 185-pound track star, who also played cornerback during his prep days, hauled in more than 600 yards worth of passes and five touchdowns while helping the Mustangs once again make a deep playoff run in the 6A playoffs. He also found the end zone twice more on the ground.

Couple that production with the title District 14-6A Newcomer of the Year during his freshman season at Eisenhower High School, and college recruiters were blowing up the phone lines. Oregon offered. So did Arizona State, Texas Tech, Louisville and Arkansas, among many others.

"He played both ways at North Shore High School. Nobody does that," Sawvel said on signing day. "When he gets the ball on offense, he'll try to run through you. When you have the ball on defense, he tries to run through your face. So, you look at that and you're like, OK, this is a guy that obviously loves to play."

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That's why Wyoming wanted him. Why did DeBlanc choose Laramie?

"Coach Sawvel called me every day. Every day he checked up on me," he said back in March. "Other colleges I had (offers from), they called and checked up on me every other day, but they would just focus on me. With coach Sawvel, he was talking to me every day and he was worried about my family, too. So, I was like, oh, yeah, this guy has love for me. This is the best place for me."

Though DeBlanc isn't currently listed on the two-deep, his number could be called at any time. In the era of instant gratification and the transfer portal, Sawvel is fully aware of the criticism that could be headed his way if the redshirt is preserved.

"Look, I know people on the other side of it could say, 'well, in today's world, you know, how long do you keep them?' I can't worry about that right now," he said bluntly. "We have to kind of do what's best for us and the player, too."