Wyoming Loses Starting Cornerback to Transfer Portal

LARAMIE -- Jay Sawvel said last Saturday it's a miserable time to be a head coach at a non-power conference level.

Why?

Two words: Transfer Portal.

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Starting cornerback Keany Parks, just three days before the spring window is set to slam shut, entered college football's version of free agency on Wednesday, becoming the seventh Wyoming player to bolt this spring.

Quarterback Deyon Batiste is also on the open market. So is running back Harrison Waylee, nickel Wrook Brown and cornerback Charles Williams. Edge rusher Sabastian Harsh has already committed to North Carolina State. Fellow defensive end Dawan Martin is also in search of a new home.

Parks is expected to sign with the University of Houston, according to two sources familiar with the situation.

He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

"I think we got some capabilities to be good," Sawvel said, referring to the cornerback room. "We have a lot of work to do and we have some development to do, but there's no weeping or gnashing of teeth, as they would say in the Bible.

"So, we're OK. We're going to move on."

Parks tallied 41 tackles -- 34 solo stops -- and broke up seven passes during his first full year in the Cowboys' secondary. He also added a fumble recovery. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Wisconsin product was moved to cornerback during the 2023 campaign after signing as a running back the year prior.

The former three-star recruit was tabbed the No. 2 prospect in the state, per Rivals.com, rushing for more than 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns over his final two seasons at Bradford High School. That damage came in just 19 games and included a 193-yard performance against Racine Case High School.

Parks was also recruited by Power-4 programs Arizona State, SMU, Iowa State and Wisconsin. Washington State, Louisiana Tech and Tulane also showed interest.

"I loved it from the start," Parks said back in August of 2023 when asked why he eventually chose Wyoming. "Coach (Tim) Polasek and coach (Craig) Bohl, we just clicked from the start. I felt like this is the place I wanted to go to be great. I plan on putting my head down, just working and showing them what kind of worker they got.

"I feel like I belong in Wyoming. This is my home."

Not anymore.

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Sawvel said Wednesday Parks was the third-best corner in last Saturday's scrimmage, behind rookie Tyson Deen and Snow College transfer BJ Inmon. He also went on to say he will "address the specifics" of Parks' move following Saturday's annual spring game.

"We may have a little state of the state type of thing on that, and we'll talk about some of those things," the second-year head coach reiterated, adding that he has "supreme confidence" in a couple of young corners on this current roster.

Deen and Inmon could be opening-day options. Ian Bell, a junior with double-digit appearances under his belt, could also be an option. He has dealt with foot and hamstring issues over the last couple of seasons.

This staff is also high on redshirt freshmen Markie Grant and Tyrese Boss. Same can be said for Incoming transfers like Brooklyn Cheek and Justin Taylor, who could also make the transition from the safety spot.

"I think there are possibilities there if we chose to do that," Sawvel said. "I don't know that that's necessarily what we need to choose to do right now."

Sawvel said he was already in the market for a defensive back or two himself before Parks' departure. That's easier said than done, though, he added.

Cornerbacks are a hot commodity.

"Well, No. 1, they're really hard to find right now," he said. "Look, there's a reason (Parks leaving) just happened."

The portal is set to close April 25, less than 24 hours prior to the Cowboys' exhibition inside War Memorial Stadium. Players have to enter free agency before that date. They can sign with a new program at any time.

Kickoff is slated for noon.

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