Wyoming’s Staff Expecting Inside Dominance From Jayden Williams

LARAMIE -- While Jayden Williams isn't known as a vocal leader for this Cowboys' defense, his ripped-up jersey and a helmet littered with scuff marks say it all.

His teammates and coaches, though, have plenty to say about the 6-foot-3, 296-pound nose tackle.

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"He's disruptive, psychotic on the line," running back Samuel Harris joked, referring to running into big No. 98 Saturday afternoon inside War Memorial Stadium. "So I just brace myself, you know, getting ready for the hit. But I'll shake him next time."

Not too many ball carriers were able to do that last fall with Williams plugging up the middle.

A year after appearing in all 12 games, Williams was thrust into a starting role last offseason when fellow tackles Caleb Robinson and Dante Drake both suffered torn Achilles' tendons.

The Texas product responded with 24 tackles in 2025, 14 of the solo variety. Three of those were behind the line of scrimmage. He was also a menace in the backfield, credited with 10 quarterback hurries and two hits, along with knocking down a pass.

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Jay Sawvel, as he has done every offseason since taking the reins of this Wyoming program back in the winter of 2023, jotted down his list of "keepers" last November. That's a compilation of players he can't afford to lose to the NCAA Transfer Portal, he says.

Nickel back Desman Hearns was high on that list. So were left tackle Rex Johnsen and the aforementioned Harris, who is better known as "Tote."

Williams, Sawvel added, is another invaluable member of this roster.

"We're really fortunate to have him in our program, and to have him still here in our program," the third-year head coach said. "There's a big expectation of what we're going to have and get from him."

During an inside-run drill Saturday, Williams was a mainstay in the offensive backfield. He blew through gaps. He manhandled interior linemen. His white jersey was in tatters by the end of this extended practice, which took well over two hours. His name was constantly audible from the coaches surrounding the perimeter, mainly his position coach Deonte Gibson.

Sawvel credits Wyoming's second-year defensive tackles coach with retaining Williams in the first place.

Ben Florentine was the unquestioned leader of this undermanned unit a season ago. That was based on his production -- 36 tackles, five sacks and a forced fumble -- along with his work ethic. The senior, who began his career as a walk-on, also wasn't afraid to hold everyone accountable.

For Williams, defensive coordinator Aaron Bohl added, that part of the maturation is a work in progress.

"Very much so," he said when asked if the junior's effort on the practice fields stood out to him. "Hopefully him, or Dante, can really take Ben's spot ... Jayden started coming out of his shell. He's a naturally quiet person, and these guys are understanding what it takes. You can't just be what you're comfortable with, you have to be what your teammates need."

Sawvel said the staff intends to push Williams early on this spring before backing off his reps toward the end of April. Why? For one, they already know what type of player they possess. Secondly, an admitted fear. Losing two potential starters, at that position, ahead of the 2025 campaign still stings.

Sawvel wasn't always pleased with the pace and tempo of the Cowboys' third spring workout. He blew his whistle late in the 20-plus period practice and gathered his team around him at midfield. The occasional expletive was discernible from 50 yards away.

The effort that followed showed the message got across. Williams didn't need to change a thing.

"Jayden Williams is going to be a really, really good player," Sawvel said with a sly grin. "Fundamentally, he's improved a great deal. The physical tools are there to be a dominant player. He's extremely strong, extremely fast.

"... We got to get him a new jersey."

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