Which Wyoming Rookies Could See The Field Early in 2026?

LAS VEGAS, Nev., -- Jay Sawvel said in late March that Kendall Griffin was even better than advertised.

Four months later, sitting behind the podium in Las Vegas during Mountain West Media Days, Wyoming's head coach openly questioned how he could justify keeping the true freshman out of the starting lineup.

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"He's hit a surge of development that you just typically don't see," Sawvel said. "Now you're talking a 6-foot, 190-pound cornerback that can really run, and he's been on campus for seven months. I like where that position could get to."

Griffin isn't the only rookie who has a shot to make an immediate impact, either.

Therman "Boogie" Williams, another early enrollee like Griffin, is also on the fast track to playing on Saturdays this fall. Sawvel said he has added 17 pounds to his frame since January. The defensive back has added to his MPH, too.

"He's faster," he continued. "A lot faster."

Additional depth at the defensive tackle spot could also be on the horizon.

Tanielu Maafala-Barbasa came to campus last winter, tipping the scales at 253. He's added 40 pounds, according to Sawvel.

"He's a beast," he added with a grin.

Nine freshmen saw action during the 2025 campaign, including the Cowboys' leading rusher Samuel Harris. The running back they call "Tote" amassed 558 yards on the ground, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. He added 184 more via the passing game. Quarterback Mason Drube also got his feet wet, appearing in three November games. The Gillette native threw for 187 yards while completing 52.6% of his throws.

Deion DeBlanc snagged 17 balls for 90 yards, mainly lining up in the slot. He also found the end zone once, returning a punt 73 yards for a score in a 35-28 victory over visiting San Jose State.

Tyson Shamsid-Deen proved to be an ironman of sorts, playing both cornerback and acting as the offense's top deep threat late in the season.

Tight end Kyle Frendt was a factor. So were linebackers Steven Perez and Parker Moore, mainly on special teams. Wideout PJ Jackson saw some playing time. So did interior offensive lineman Johnathan Bush.

The term "redshirt" is now a thing of the past thanks to the newly-adopted "5-in-5 rule," which starts the players' eligibility clock the minute he steps on campus. All athletes now have five years to play five seasons, the NCAA announced in late June.

Griffin and Williams enter a cornerback room that was decimated by portal departures and graduation. Tyrese Boss and Markie Grant have new addresses at Arizona and Utah State, respectively. Dainsus Miller exhausted his eligibility after playing his first four years at Marcer.

Griffin, who comes to Laramie from Morgan Park High School in Chicago, the same program that produced last year's leading receiver Chris Durr Jr. and Jackson, was tabbed a three-star recruit after tallying 45 tackles and breaking up five passes during his senior season. Griffin had a number of offers, mainly out of the MAC.

"Kendall is very much ahead of the curve for a freshman," Sawvel said during spring practice. "He has got a chance to be really, really good, and it shows, quickly. It showed quickly in the offseason. It shows how he handles his business and how he handles his grades. When maturity is one of the first things that happens at corner, you know -- you don't win with a lot of immaturity at that position.

"... We're taking that lemon right now and squeezing the ever loving crap out of it to get some lemonade going right now. It's a good lemon -- and it'll be good lemonade -- but where we're at right now, we're working hard with that position, because I think that position is critical for what we need to do defensively."

Williams, who stands 5-foot-10 and now tips the scales around 200 pounds, picked off eight passes during his career at Centennial High School, including six during his final prep season. The three-star recruit, who was also courted by Colorado and Colorado State, also registered 44 tackles in 2025.

"He's just a fun and energetic guy who's going to bring a lot of use to both the defensive back room and hopefully to our defense, as well," Wyoming's Director of Player Personnel Austin Maus said about the Riverside, Calif., product on signing day back in early December. "He's a guy who plays corner for his team, but can play anywhere in the backfield. He can do a little bit of everything."

Maafala-Barbasa joins a room filled with returning upperclassmen like Jayden Williams and Dante Drake, who should be starters on opening day in Fort Collins. Caleb Robinson is also back in the rotation after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury last summer.

A Top-25 recruit in Nevada, Maafala-Barbasa starred at Arbor View High School in Las Vegas, where he was rated the second-best defensive tackle in the state. Air Force, UNLV and his hometown team, UNLV, also showed interest.

"He's just super explosive," Maus said. "So, he's a little bit undersized compared to the other D-tackles we're bringing in, but he is super explosive and very strong. I can't say enough good things about this guy. He has a high motor and is twitchy. I mean, he's going to be fun to watch. He's got a bright future here."

That might start sooner rather than later.

Wyoming is set to begin fall training camp Aug. 5, exactly one month ahead of the season opener at Colorado State.

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