Wyoming’s Rookie Corner Turning Heads in Spring Camp

LARAMIE -- At the line, this appeared to be a sizable mismatch -- literally.

Tyson Deen, a 5-foot-10, 165-pound true freshman, was tasked with mirroring one of Wyoming's lengthiest receivers. Bricen Brantley has five inches on the rookie. Not to mention nearly 20 pounds and two-plus years of college experience.

It didn't matter.

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Deen jammed the fellow Texan at the snap last Saturday inside the Cowboys' indoor practice facility. He patiently and methodically stayed glued to Brantley's right hip as he maneuvered through the secondary. He eventually planted and curled. That's when the early enrollee pounced, jumping the route and snagging an interception off the right arm of presumptive starter Kaden Anderson.

If that wasn't impressive enough, he broke up the very next pass, too. It was textbook. Brantley clapped his hands in frustration as the near sideline exploded. Deen, both arms extended in the air in celebration, was mobbed by his teammates.

"He's as physically talented of a corner as what we've had here, period, in the five years I've been here," Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel said following the 12th practice of the spring. "Hips, speed, jumping, physicality, I mean, he's not the biggest guy right now, but at heart and in his own mind, he wants to rip your throat out. I love that part about him."

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Deen, a two-way standout at San Antonio's Southwest High School, picked off seven passes during his prep career. He also added five forced fumbles and tallied 274 tackles, 98 of which came during his senior campaign.

He also amassed more than 1,500 yards on the ground and 24 touchdowns. Eleven of those scores came in 2024 as he helped lead the Dragons to a 12-1 mark.

Deen was named the 14-5A Division 1 District's Most Valuable Player.

A common theme emerged on film.

"He is one of the most violent, physical guys," Wyoming's former recruiting coordinator Kirby O'Meara said last December on signing day. "Great testing numbers we've gotten. We had a lot of information on the kid, a lot of great background on him, and he was great on the visit. He is just a true corner, DB personality that we liked even more after getting him up here on the visit."

The three-star prospect was named to the All-Area team and earned a spot in the San Antonio Sports All-Star Game. Deen also took home the Jon Wayne Player of the Year Award, nominated by community members.

Despite the accolades, Deen was lightly recruited, picking up offers from Incarnate Word and Idaho.

He chose Wyoming.

This fall, he could be manning an island, too. Sawvel and Co. have been in search of a corner opposite of Keany Parks. Markie Grant has shown promise. Same goes for Tyrese Boss and transfer BJ Inmon. Ian Bell has been injured, but is certainly in the mix, too.

So is Deen.

"He's a very aggressive kid," Sawvel added. "So, no, I don't think it's unreasonable to think that he's probably playing at some point this year for us. I don't think that's unreasonable to think that that's a possibility."

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players