LARAMIE -- Worried Harrison Waylee won't return to Wyoming next fall?

Maybe this 1-5 start is feeding your anxiety? Maybe a track record of stars leaving the program via the transfer portal has your antennas up? The 5-foot-10, 212-pound senior has nearly 3,000 rushing yards under his belt. Surely Power-4 schools are licking their chops, right?

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A wide smile creased the running back's face Monday afternoon when posed this question. He's heard your concerns. Admittedly, he's flattered, too.

"I'm going to stay here," Waylee said.

There are a number of reasons for that, first being, he said, his relationship with Jay Sawvel. After suffering a right knee injury in a scrimmage in late August, Waylee was forced to undergo a surgery that would sideline him for at least the first few weeks of the regular season.

Turns out, it would take a tad longer.

That's when Waylee and Wyoming's rookie head coach hatched a plan that would allow the Iowa product to appear in just four games this fall, maintaining his redshirt status so he can return to the backfield in Laramie next season.

"He wants a full year and I stand behind that," Sawvel said in late September. "I couldn't sign off on that being in his best interest, either."

Waylee said Monday, though he's already been cleared by doctors, he is planning to make his 2024 debut on Oct. 26 when Utah State pays a visit to War Memorial Stadium. If all goes to plan, he will suit up the following three weeks against New Mexico, Colorado State and Boise State.

If the Cowboys can right the ship and win six games, Waylee, per NCAA rules, could also play in the postseason.

 

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"It's been a process and, yeah, I'm kind of frustrated," said Waylee, who missed the first two games last season after undergoing offseason surgery on his left knee. "The main frustration was just it happening right before the season started, you know? But, you know, me and coach Sawvel said that I'm going to come back next year. So, I'll play the last four games here then come back next year and just go crazy the whole season."

Waylee rushed for 947 yards and five touchdowns last season, his first in a Wyoming uniform after transferring from Northern Illinois. He missed three games because of various leg injuries but still managed to average nearly six yards per carry. During his three-year stint in Dekalb, Waylee rushed for 1,929 yards and 10 more scores.

The Cowboys have struggled mightily in the run game this season, averaging just 115.5 yards per game. Injuries and absences certainly haven't helped matters.

Dawaiian McNeely, who tore his ACL before the 2023 season, was again lost for the year with a knee injury after just two carries this fall. DJ Jones started the campaign in Wyoming's backfield. He has since missed the previous two games, and won't be in uniform again Saturday in San Jose, as he deals with a personal matter.

The front five has also dealt with its fair share of ailments, too.

Help, though, will soon be on the way.

"Yeah, it was painful," he said, referring to helplessly watching from the sideline. "In the beginning it was just real tough, just watching everything unfold. But, now it's just like, I'm getting my mind off of it, I'm coming back, I'm healthy. My mental health is pretty good, so I'm just ready to go out there and do what I can do."

Waylee said another reason he chose to return next season is because of his desire to graduate. If he were to leave, some of his credits, he added, likely wouldn't follow. The 22-year-old wants to walk across the stage this spring.

He's looking forward to May for another reason, too.

His cousin, Axel Ramazani, has also verbally committed to Wyoming and expected to sign his letter of intent in December. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound edge rusher from Urbandale, Iowa, was also recruited by Cincinnati, Illinois State, North Dakota and North Dakota State.

Waylee said he's pushing the Ramazani to enroll early, which he thinks will happen.

"He's really excited about that, too," Waylee said. "So, I'm just excited to see what he can do in the spring. You know, it's not every day you get to play with your cousin, especially in college."

Wyoming (1-5, 1-1) and San Jose State (4-2, 2-1) will meetSaturday inside CEFCU Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 2 p.m. Mountain Time and the game will be streamed on the Mountain West Network.

University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players

During the summer of 2021, 7220Sports.com counted down the Top 50 football players in University of Wyoming history, presented by Premier Bone & Joint Centers, Worthy of Wyoming.

The rules are simple: What was the player's impact while in Laramie? That means NFL stats, draft status or any other accolade earned outside of UW is irrelevant when it comes to this list.

This isn't a one-man job. This task called for a panel of experts. Joining 7220's Cody Tucker are Robert GagliardiJared NewlandRyan Thorburn, and Kevin McKinney.

We all compiled our own list of 50 and let computer averages do the work. Think BCS -- only we hope this catalog is fairer.

Don't agree with a selection? Feel free to sound off on our Twitter: @7220sports - #Top50UWFB

Gallery Credit: 7220Sports.com

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players

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