Two of Wyoming’s Best Young Offensive Weapons Staying Put

LARAMIE -- Two of Wyoming's top offensive playmakers are staying put.

Starting running back Samuel Harris and slot receiver Deion DeBlanc announced on social media Wednesday they will return for their sophomore season in Laramie. That duo joins nickelback Desman Hearns and punter Bart Edmiston Jr. in publicly declaring they will be back in the fold this fall.

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Fifteen players have already decided they will test the open market when the lone two-week transfer portal window opens on Friday, including four starters, wideout Chris Durr Jr., cornerback Tyrese Boss, defensive tackle Lucas Samsula and quarterback Kaden Anderson.

The latter was facing an open competition this offseason after climbing under center in all 12 games last season. Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel has said he is actively looking for a potential starter in free agency.

Harris, better known by his nickname "Tote," led the team in rushing with 558 yards and a touchdown. His best outing came in a road tilt at Colorado when the then rookie gashed the Buffaloes for a career-high 126 yards on 19 attempts, including a long of 50.

"Looking forward to returning next season and continuing the work with Cowboy Nation," Harris penned on X. "Thank you for the support. See you soon."

The Cibolo, Texas product also proved to be a threat out of the backfield in the passing game, hauling in 16 passes for 184 yards. That included a long of 52 in a home win over San Jose State.

It didn't take long for the newcomer to climb the depth chart.

"He made a run that I have not seen anybody make here," Sawvel said back in October., adding his pass protection was "elite." "It was vision, vision, cut, cut, lower the pads and go -- but there was also a speed to it. I kind of knew then, I'm like, OK, this guy's going to be pretty good. And the progression has gone really well. The progression goes as fast as what you'd expect from an athlete like that.

"... I love what he does every single day, on and off the field. So, I mean, he's special."

Harris, who stands 5-foot-11 and weighs in at 187, is expected to rejoin a running back room that currently features Nico Hamilton, Jaden Lawrence, Dontae Burch and true freshman Ryken Banks. Max White, who transferred to Wyoming prior to last season, is also petitioning the NCAA for an additional year of eligibility because of an injury he sustained at the University of Iowa, according to a source familiar with the situation.

DeBlanc, appearing in just 10 games, snagged 17 passes for 90 yards during his first go 'round on the high plains. He also finished with 54 rushing yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.

The Houston native had early struggles as the starting returner, but showed off his vision and speed on a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown in a 35-28 victory over the Spartans inside War Memorial Stadium.

"Ready to run it back," DeBlanc wrote on X. "Let's do it."

Sitting behind Durr on the depth chart, DeBlanc briefly considered redshirting early in the season and didn't see the field against Utah or Colorado. After a chat with Sawvel, DeBlanc refocused and took on a larger role, especially late in the season.

"Just, a lot was going through my mind," the 5-foot-10, 185-pound former three-star recruit admitted, adding he never wanted to be labeled just a "return man." "I made the decision too early and didn't talk to my teammates about it ... I needed to go fix that. So, I went up to him, as a man, and was telling him, 'Yeah, I'm just going to do what's best for the team.'

"... I'll do whatever it takes to get this team winning."

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