Wyoming’s Secondary Wednesday Lands Another Transfer

LARAMIE -- Jay Sawvel went back to his old stomping grounds to land the latest member of his secondary.

Southern Illinois transfer Desman Hearns Wednesday night signed with the Cowboys, becoming the third safety in the last 48 hours to commit to Wyoming. The 6-foot, 195-pound junior joins Justin Taylor (Wisconsin) and Jaden DeCosta (Portland State) in the Wyoming secondary.

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Edge rusher Brayden Wilson (Weber State), linebacker Ethan Stuhlsatz (Lindenwood) and wide receiver Eric Richardson (NW Missouri State) have also joined the program this week. BJ Inmon, a cornerback from Snow College, also signed his letter of intent on early signing day earlier in the month.

Hearns has two years of eligibility remaining. He will reportedly compete at the nickel corner spot.

Sawvel, Wyoming's head coach, served as the defensive backs/ special teams coach in Carbondale from 2001-07.

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Hearns, a Clearwater, Fla., native, spent the previous three seasons at SIU, tallying 76 tackles and snagging three interceptions. He also forced two fumbles, broke up four passes and registered a sack for the Salukis.

He was named a Freshman FCS All-American honorable mention in 2023 after racking up 36 tackles and picking off a pass. He also forced and recovered two fumbles. He followed that up last fall with 49 tackles and two more interceptions.

Another incoming safety gave his verbal to the staff late Tuesday night, but has yet to publicly announce his decision, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Wyoming isn't done adding to the last line of defense, either, in an attempt to replace starters Wyett Ekeler, Isaac White and Tyrecus Davis, in addition to depth players like Koa McIntyre, Nikos Varelas, Miles Tucker and Naz Hill, that same source indicated.

Ten have left the team and entered college football's version of free agency, eight of which have come from the defense: tackle Jaden Williams, edge rushers Ethan Day and Braden Siders, linebacker Read Sunn, Tucker, Varelas, McIntyre and Hill. Senior linebacker Cole DeMarzo announced last week he will retire.

On the other side of the ball, running back Dawaiian McNeely and wideout Tyler "TK" King have also entered the portal.

The staff is now expected to sign up to 40 players this offseason, per a source. Head coach Jay Sawvel said publicly he is in the market for a quarterback to serve as a backup to Kaden Anderson next fall. Sawvel and Co. will also look to land additional help at linebacker, at defensive end, offensive tackle and at wide receiver, that source added.

The winter portal window is open until Dec. 28. It briefly opens again in the spring from April 16-30.

Spring practice is set to begin in Laramie March 25.

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