Wyoming’s Secondary Just Got Thinner; Taylor to Transfer

LARAMIE -- Wyoming's secondary takes another hit.

Just days after defensive backs Tyrese Boss, Markie Grant and Caleb Merritt announced their decision to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, junior safety Justin Taylor Friday made it known he will also seek a new opportunity with two seasons of eligibility remaining.

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The 6-foot, 198-pound Chicago product appeared in all 12 games during his lone season in Laramie, sharing time at the boundary with Andrew Johnson. Taylor transferred to Wyoming after spending two years at the University of Wisconsin.

Fourteen now-former Cowboys, including three starters -- wideout Chris Durr Jr., defensive tackle Lucas Samsula and Boss -- are set to hit the market when the two-week window opens, beginning next Friday.

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Taylor tallied 19 tackles in 2025. He also scooped up a fumble recovery and picked off a pass in the end zone in a road loss at San Diego State. His best outing came in a 35-28 victory over visiting San Jose State where he registered a season-high six stops.

On 276 defensive snaps, Taylor was targeted 10 times through the air. He allowed four catches for 35 yards and no touchdowns.

He finished with an overall grade of 61.4, according to Pro Football Focus.

Taylor took 72 snaps on special teams and was on three separate units: kick coverage, punt return and field-goal block. He capped the year with two tackles.

The former three-star recruit out of Nazareth Academy was expected to battle for a potential starting job next fall next to Jones Thomas. Taylor was a highly coveted prospect out of high school, drawing offers -- 18 of them -- from the likes of Kansas State, Wisconsin and, yes, Wyoming. During that process, Taylor said he formed a relationship with cornerbacks coach Benny Boyd.

That led to this one-year stint on the high plains.

"When I was in the portal, I reached out to him," Taylor said last April after arriving on campus. "I sent my film to coach Boyd, and already had a good relationship with him and coach Sawvel. When the opportunity arose, I took it. I felt like it was the right place and the right timing.

"I made the right decision."

Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel agreed.

"I think he reached out to coach Boyd pretty quickly. So, that was something like, 'Hey, you remember Justin Taylor?' I did remember him. We did go through a process with him," he added. "So, I'm glad he's here. I think there's still a lot of things he can improve on, but, you know, he's very happy to be here. He's very engaged daily at practice.

"... He's a smart guy, he works hard and he cares deeply."

Wyoming's safety room still includes David Leonard, Bleyne Bryant, Jaden DaCosta, Brooklyn Cheek, Elvin Ampofo, Lafai Purcell and Thomas. Desman Hearns, the team's starting nickelback, announced he would return this fall. He will be joined by Kaiden Kimble-Turner, Drew Jackson and Joaquin Sandoval.

The Cowboys also inked freshman Therman "Boogie" Williams, a three-star safety out of Riverside, Calif., earlier this month.

Wyoming Cowboys in the NCAA Transfer Portal:

* WR - Chris Durr Jr. - Junior

* CB - Tyrese Boss - Sophomore

CB - Markie Grant - Sophomore

* DT - Lucas Samsula - Junior

OL - Luke Sandy - Senior

LB - Cooper Mailand - Junior

DT - Gabriel Ikechukwu - Redshirt Freshman

RB - Patrick Broadway II - Freshman

RB - Terron Kellman - Graduate

RB - Damashja Harris - Senior

LB - Enock Sibomana - Senior

DB/ KR - Caleb Merritt - Senior

RB - Nikos Varelas - Junior

S - Justin Taylor - Junior

* Indicates starter