Wyoming Loses Young Cornerback Duo to Transfer Portal

LARAMIE -- "Hopeful."

That's the word Benny Boyd used in November when asked if he was confident Tyrese Boss and Markie Grant would return to Wyoming in 2026, adding the re-recruitment had already begun.

Get our free mobile app

Wyoming's cornerbacks coach Monday received some bad news.

Boss and Grant will indeed enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, a source confirmed to 7220sports.com. That duo helped limit the opposition to an average of just 175.5 yards per game through the air last fall, the 14th-best mark in the FBS.

The redshirt freshmen still have three years of eligibility remaining.

The number of Cowboy starters hitting the open market now sits at three. Wideout Chris Durr Jr., defensive tackle Lucas Samsula and now Boss, are also looking for a new home address. So are running backs Terron Kellman and Patrick Broadway II, offensive guard Luke Sandy, nose tackle Gabriel Ikechukwu and linebacker Cooper Mailand.

Because there is only one portal window this offseason -- Jan. 2-16 -- walk-on's and "fringe" players are being asked to enter free agency as head coach Jay Sawvel and Co. whittle the roster down to an NCAA mandated 105. Wyoming also added 20 incoming freshmen on early signing day, including corners Kanye Anderson and Kendall Griffin. The latter is an early enrollee.

Those rookies will join Ian Bell, David Leonard, BJ Inmon and Tyson Deen, who should all be in the mix for a starting spot in spring camp. Desman Hearns already announced his intentions to return for his final season. Fellow nickelback Kaiden Kimball-Turner could also see plenty of playing time in the secondary.

Sawvel said he has a list of 13 "keepers." There are nine remaining, according to a source familiar with the situation.

MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:

* Burman, UW Athletics Seeking Additional Revenue Streams

* Recruiting, Portal Misses Have Lasting Impact in Laramie

* Injured Wyoming Running Back Says He's Entering Portal

* Wyoming Inks 20 Freshmen in 2026 Recruiting Class

* Wyoming in the Market for New Offensive Coordinator

* PODCAST: Offseason 'Rework' Underway in Laramie

* Running Back Terron Kellman Again Looking for New Home

* Wyoming's Leading Receiver Entering NCAA Transfer Portal

Boss, who was on the field for a position-high 643 snaps, had a breakout season in 2025, tallying 39 tackles, 30 of which were the solo variety. The Chino Hills, Calif., product allowed 26 catches on 45 targets but zero touchdown tosses. He also broke up four passes, receiving an overall PFF grade of 64.4.

A tendon injury in his hand kept Boss sidelined throughout his first in Laramie, one in which Sawvel said bluntly, "he would've played."

His only FBS offer out of high school came from Wyoming.

"He had a game plan for me," Boss said of Sawvel back in August. "He made it a personal deal, you know what I mean? I think all the stuff he said to me kind of just really made me feel like this is a program for me -- and it really is."

Grant snagged his first and only career interception in a 28-0 blanking of Border War rival Colorado State. He also gave up just 13 grabs on 27 throws. He allowed one touchdown and was flagged just four times. The Houston native also registered 27 tackles.

After a year of sitting and watching from the bench, Grant showed why he fielded offers from Nebraska, Arizona State, Indiana, Arkansas and many other Power-4 programs. CSU wanted the three-star recruit out of Dekaney High School, too.

"It just felt like they care," Grant said back in October, referring to why he chose Wyoming. "It wasn't all football. They care about you, building you as a person and as a man. I just had a good feeling coming here. When I went to other visits it was football, football, football, football. When I came here it just felt like a family. It felt good."

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

* Indicates starter