Rex Johnsen Has Added Motivation, Snarl Heading Into ’26

LARAMIE -- Kaden Anderson reeled in the waist-high shotgun snap, took a brief one-step drop and immediately cocked his right arm.

The timing of the play was already off.

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Looking for a streaking Jaylen Sargent near the perimeter, Wyoming's quarterback hurried the throw, overshooting the senior receiver but placing a perfect strike into the awaiting arms of Bryce Phillips.

He plays for San Diego State.

The junior cornerback returned the gift 28 yards down to the Cowboys' 24-yard line. One snap later, the visitor's early 7-0 lead was a thing of the past. Jayden Denegal connected with Byron Cardwell Jr. on a flawlessly timed screen pass and the Aztec running back took care of the rest.

This entire scenario was set up by one man: Trey White.

"He kind of gave it to me a little bit last year," said Rex Johnsen, Wyoming's left tackle, who had a front-row seat to White's three-tackle, two-sack performance last November inside Snapdragon Stadium. "White had so many different pass rushes. He explodes off the ball so well. He had a constant motor."

White was twice named a First Team All-Mountain West selection, tallying 19.5 sacks over the previous two seasons, including 12.5 in 2025. The senior edge rusher parlayed that into a lucrative deal with Texas Tech in the offseason.

Despite the 24-7 setback, and White's destructive day, Johnsen said he walked away from that meeting with a new-found confidence in himself.

"There were plays where I locked him up, too," the 6-foot-5, 310-pound senior said on Tuesday. "It just kind of makes me realize, like, hey, I I belong here. I need to keep getting better so I can go play at the next level."

Johnsen slid into his new role on the edge last season, taking over for Caden Barnett. He, along with center Jack Walsh, was on the field for all 802 offensive snaps. The Iowa product graded out at 59.9, according to Pro Football Focus. He was a better run blocker, per the analytics website, than he was protecting the quarterback.

That's not out of the norm at that position, head coach Jay Sawvel added.

Johnsen allowed a team-high 23 pressures, including five sacks, four QB hits and 14 hurries.

"When you're playing left tackle against some of the people that we played -- in your first year doing that -- I mean, stuff's not easy, you know?" Sawvel continued. "So, what you hope is, is that the second year of playing that position, there's a major jump. He's put himself in a position where I expect that to happen."

Those numbers above certainly didn't deter the vultures last summer. Johnsen reportedly received offers from other programs despite never actually entering the NCAA Transfer Portal.

"What's crazier is that we're made aware of these offers," Sawvel said with a sarcastic smile and a shake of the head. "You know, whatever."

Offensive linemen, especially ones who tip the scales at 300 pounds, are at a premium. Ones with experience -- Johnsen has appeared in 32 career games with 17 starts -- are coveted.

For example, Wes King was on the field for just 683 snaps last fall, sharing time with Luke Sandy at the left guard spot. He was courted by the likes of Texas and Kansas State before eventually landing at West Virginia. Sandy is now at Charlotte.

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Johnsen said he never considered leaving.

The reason? It's not that complicated.

"I love my teammates here," he said, simply. "I mean, especially the O-line room right now. I feel like this is the closest we've ever been. Then, honestly, the biggest thing was (offensive line coach Joe) Tripodi. I just couldn't see myself playing for any other O-line coach. I know the goals that I have, Tripodi is going to get me there.

"I've been here for four years, I figured, hey, why not ride it out for my fifth year and just be the guy that everyone wants me to be?"

Wyoming's front five is all but undecided as spring practice gets underway. The only potential locks are at the bookends, where Johnsen is expected to man the left side and sophomore Braylon Jenkins will anchor the right. The middle, unlike last year, is open for business.

Just minutes after wrapping up his NFL Pro Day workout, Barnett gave his thoughts on what he's leaving behind and who can step into the leadership role he vacated.

One name came to mind.

"I'm excited for him," Barnett said of Johnsen. "I think he has a real shot to kill it. I think the best is in front of him."

Admittedly not the most vocal of guys, Johnsen said that aspect of his personality is a work in progress. Sawvel hopes that develops over the next 14 practices and in fall camp. It's one of the only intangibles he has not yet shown.

"Rex is a plus-athlete on the offensive line," he continued. "I mean, this is a guy that, as far as the athletic numbers and skill set, is as high in that position as what we've ever had here. He has a unique ability and talent and those types of things. So I'm excited about him and what he can do and what he can get to. We want him to take more of a leadership role and step forward on that."

The rallying cry inside Johnsen's position group is "know your role."

He's refining that on a daily basis.

"I think one thing I'm good at is really making sure that this team is really close and these guys would die for each other and play hard for each other on the field," he said. "I just make sure everyone's a close-knit group."

On a personal level, the more Trey Whites he can face, the better. Johnsen is bringing some snarl to the yard this fall.

"I love playing left tackle," he said. "I like the pressure it comes with. That s--- is awesome to me. There's just a little part of me that feels like the quarterback is like my sister or my mom that I'm trying to protect.

"I don't want him to even get touched."