Will Landon Sims Attempt to Play Again After Third Knee Injury?

LARAMIE -- This scenario is unfortunately nothing new for Landon Sims.

Surgery. Rehabilitation. Compete.

It's been a vicious cycle since his college football career began back in 2022.

After receiving little interest out of Escambia High School in his hometown of Evergreen, Alabama, the 6-foot-3 quarterback hopped the state line and attended East Central Community College.

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During his three-year stint in Mississippi, Sims suffered two torn ACL's in his left knee.

Just 12 days ago, it happened again.

Inserted under center to start a drive late in the first half, Sims stepped up in the pocket and fired a short second-down pass down the seam in the direction of tight end John Michael Gyllenborg. The toss missed its mark.

San Diego State edge rusher Brady Nassar didn't miss his.

The 6-foot-5, 255-pound junior laid a violent lick on Wyoming's sophomore signal caller. While it looked like Sims' top half bore the brunt, it was his left leg that briefly got snagged in the well-manicured turf inside Snapdragon Stadium.

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The immediate reaction showed this was much worse than a bell-ringer. Sims, in obvious pain, reached for his heavily-braced, twice surgically repaired knee.

"Right off the bat, I mean, I know he's going to be out an extended period of time," Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel said just minutes after the 24-7 loss to the Aztecs. He openly assumed it was yet another ACL. Less than 48 hours later, his worst fears were confirmed.

"It's heartbreaking to see," Gage Brook said. "I think it was more than just the quarterback room, the team took it hard."

Jovon Bouknight certainly did.

Wyoming's interim offensive coordinator began to utilize Sims in the run game after assuming the role in late October. He responded with 31 yards on five carries and scored the game's first touchdown in a 28-0 blanking of Border War rival Colorado State. In San Diego, Sims broke off a 37-yard dash on the opening drive of the night. That sparked what would ultimately be the visitor's only score of the outing.

"That hurt tremendously," Bouknight said, referring to the game plan and as a person. "I mean, A, the heart he brings to the offense and, B, his running ability.

"... It's unfortunate, man, that we lost him."

Sims underwent a successful procedure Tuesday in Alabama. Does he plan on making his third comeback from yet another devastating setback?

"Absolutely, 100%," he said. "Without a doubt."

Is Sawvel confident that will actually happen?

"When you know Landon's spirit, no, that's not going to be an option," he said when asked if Sims could retire from the game. "I think you'd pretty much have to drag him out, in that regard."

Sawvel said he will be mindful of this injury, when it comes to roster management. The NCAA is limiting the number of players next fall to 105. The plan is to carry five quarterbacks, including Sims. Depending on what doctors advise, as far as recuperation time, Wyoming could be in the market this offseason for another signal caller to join incoming freshman Taylor Hasselbeck.

It has been done before.

Down the road in Fort Collins, Collin Hill tore the ligament in his left knee three times during his collegiate career, the last one coming during the 2019 campaign at CSU. Hill returned to the field the following fall, capping his turbulent run as the starter at the University of South Carolina. He threw for 1,411 yards and six touchdowns and was eventually signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent.

"I know his spirit is, he wants to play," Sawvel said of Sims. "We're going to fight for him to be able to do that."

Sims says he's still in the fight, too.

"I fully expect to be ready for the season next year."

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players