QB
#16 Brett Smith QB 6-3 195 So. Salem, Ore. (West Salem)--13 games
played. Starter at quarterback. 139 carries for 710 yards and 10 TD. 253-415
passing for 2622 yards and 20 TD. 2 catches for 17 yards and 1 TD. 2 tackles.
#11 Colby Kirkegaard QB
6-3 205 Jr. Phoenix, Ariz. (Phoenix CC, Ariz.)--4 games played. 2nd team
quarterback. 5-10 passing for 37 yards. 3 carries for -6 yards.
#18 Josh Smith QB 6-3 209
So. Manchester, N.H. (Manchester Memorial)--No stats in 2011.
#17 Jason Thompson QB 6-2
205 Fr. Renton, Wash. (John F. Kennedy)--Incoming freshman.
Sophomore Brett Smith returns
after a freshman campaign that saw him throw for over 2600 yards and 20
touchdowns in addition to 710 yards on the ground. He was electric at times and
has a chance to be on the all conference team as a sophomore in 2012. Junior
Colby Kirkegaard is the backup and had limited action in 2011 but will be ready
to take over if things go wrong with Smith. Smith and Thompson will have to sit
and wait their turns as they are deeper down the depth chart.
RB
#08 Brandon Miller RB 6-0 193 Jr. Parker, Colo. (Mountain
Vista)--13 games played. Starter at running back. 66 carries for 364 yards and
2 TD. 20 catches for 199 yards and 1 TD. 2 kickoff returns for a 22 yard
average.
#01 Kody Sutton RB 5-8 194
So. Texarkana, Texas (Texas)--6 games played. 2nd team running back. 30 carries
for 146 yards. 1 catch for 14 yards and 1 TD.
#20 Nehemie Kankolongo RB
5-11 205 R-So. Coquitlam, British Columbia (Centennial)--3rd team running back.
#04 Zaquoya Parham RB/WR
5-10 175 R-Fr. Phoenix, Ariz. (Shadow Mountain)--4th team running back.
#32 D.J. May RB 5-11 190
Fr. Federal Way, Wash. (Federal Way)--Incoming freshman.
#22 Tedder Easton RB 5-11
242 Jr. Columbia, Mo. (Rock Bridge)--No stats in 2011.
#26 Shaun Wick RB 5-10 190
Fr. Ventura, Calif. (St. Bonaventure)--Incoming freshman.
With only 2 returning running
backs having any game experience, there must be someone else to step in and
prove his worth on the field. Junior Brandon Miller is the starter and ran for
364 yards as a sophomore and added 20 catches. Backup Kody Sutton played in 6
games as a true freshman in 2011 and ran for 146 yards. Kankolongo, Parham,
May, Easton and Wick all look to work for that third running back spot on the
depth chart.
H-Back
#42 Riley Lange H-Back 6-3 247 So. Parker, Colo.
(Ponderosa)--Starter at H-back.
#86 Shane Sullivan
WR/H-Back 6-4 240 So. Orange, Calif. (Orange Lutheran)--No stats in 2011.
With neither H-Back having any
experience in game situations, it will be a battle all summer and fall for who
will find the field when the H-Back is needed. Sophomore Riley Lange is the
projected starter and can be a solid player. Fellow sophomore Shane Sullivan
will push Lange for playing time and may get on the field on special teams at
least.
WR
#03 Trey Norman WR 6-1 170 So. Texarkana, Texas (Liberty-Eylau)--13
games played. Starter at wide receiver. 0-2 passing. 1 carry for -10 yards. 2
catches for 14 yards. 1 punt return for 0 yards. 1 tackle. 9 kickoff returns
for a 20.1 yard average.
#06 Robert Herron WR 5-10 187 Jr. Los Angeles, Calif. (Dorsey)--12
games played. Starter at wide receiver. 8 carries for 53 yards. 43 catches for
379 yards and 3 TD.
#80 Chris McNeill WR 6-1 180 Sr. Simi Valley, Calif. (Notre
Dame)--9 games played. 1-1 passing for 28 yards and 1 TD. 1 carry for -3 yards.
42 catches for 504 yards and 4 TD. Starter at wide receiver. 6 punt returns for
16.1 yard average and 1 TD.
#33 Dominic Rufran WR 6-0 185 So. Colorado Springs, Colo.
(Palmer)--13 games played. Starter at wide receiver. 44 catches for 402 yards
and 2 TD. 17 kickoff returns for a 21.7 yard average.
#25 Spencer Bruce WR 6-5
225 Jr. Gillette, Wyo. (Campbell County)--7 games played. 2nd team wide
receiver. 7 games played. 3 catches for 27 yards and 1 TD.
#81 James Caraway WR 5-11 192 Sr. Topeka, Kan.
(Highland Park)--13 games played. 3 tackles. 1 fumble recovery. 2nd team wide
receiver.
#02 Eric Nzeocha WR 6-1
200 Fr. Neusitz, Germany (FOS Ansbach)--2nd team wide receiver.
#83 T.J. Smith WR 6-3 215
Jr. Tulsa, Okla. (Booker T. Washington)--8 games played. 2 catches for 8 yards.
#09 Sam Stratton WR 5-11
182 So. Littleton, Colo. (Chatfield)--5 games played. 16 carries for 49 yards.
3 catches for 28 yards.
#89 Nico Brown WR 6-3 200
Fr. Leander, Texas (Leander)--Incoming freshman.
#87 Taylor Davis WR 5-10
189 Jr. Plattsburg, Mo (Northwest Missouri State)--No stats in 2011.
#30 Dack Lambert WR 6-2
192 So. Overland Park, Kan. (Blue Valley Northwest)--No stats in 2011.
#19 Keenan Montgomery WR
6-1 180 So. St. Paul, Minn. (Central)--No stats in 2011.
#05 Trent Sewell WR 6-2
197 Fr. Bothell, Wash. (Bothell)--No stats in 2011.
In the 4 wide receiver sets that
Wyoming likes to run, 3 of the 4 wide receivers are very experienced with 40+
catches per receiver. Senior Chris McNeill (42 catches), junior Robert Herron
(43 catches) and sophomore Dominic Rufran (44 catches) combined for 10
touchdowns for the Cowboy offense in 2011. The other projected starter,
sophomore Trey Norman, only made two catches but returned kick and punts and
even attempted 2 passes on the season. Bruce (3 catches), Caraway, Nzeocha,
Smith (2 catches), and Stratton (3 catches) all will work into the rotation and
should take some of the pressure off of the starters.
OL
#76 Josh Leonard OT 6-4 296 Sr. Helena, Mont. (Helena)--Starter
at left tackle.
#51 Tyler Strong OG 6-3 292 Jr. Longmont, Colo. (Niwot)--Starter
at left guard. 2 tackles.
#60 Nick Carlson C 6-4 292 Sr. Arlington Heights, Ill.
(Prospect)--Starter at center.
#75 Zach Rushing OG 6-3 295 Sr. Woolmarket, Miss. (Mississippi
Gulf Coast CC, Miss.)--Starter at right guard. 1 tackle.
#64 Daniel Fleischman OT 6-6 300 So. Issaquah, Wash.
(Issaquah)--Starter at right tackle.
#71 Austin Traphagan OT
6-5 291 R-Fr. Yuma, Colo. (Yuma)--2nd team left tackle.
#63 Rafe Kiely OG 6-3 290
R-Fr. Wheaton, Ill. (Wheaton North)--2nd team left guard.
#68 Travis Bogard C 6-4
304 So. Kenmore, Wash. (Inglemoor)--2nd team center.
#62 Jake Jones OG 6-3 295
R-Fr. Lakewood, Colo. (Lakewood)--2nd team right guard.
#65 Kyle Magnuson OT 6-6
300 Sr. Elkhart, Ind. (Concord)--2nd team right tackle.
#61 Shayne Kelley OG 6-4
293 R-So. Camarillo, Calif. (Ventura CC, Calif.)--3rd team left guard.
#70 Skyler Hinton C/OG 6-4
296 So. Columbia, Mo. (Rock Bridge)--3rd team center.
#77 Connor Rains OT 6-7
305 Jr. JC Placerville, Calif. (American River CC, Calif.)--3rd team right
tackle.
#59 Andrew Crow OL 6-1 260
R-Fr. Laramie, Wyo. (Laramie)--Redshirted in 2011.
#66 Zach D'Amico OT 5-11
275 R-Fr. Casper, Wyo. (Natrona County)--Redshirted in 2011.
#79 Jacob English OL 6-5
280 Fr. Beloit, Kan. (Beloit)--Incoming freshman.
#67 Carson Kass OL 6-2 265
R-Fr. Naches, Wash. (Naches)--Redshirted in 2011.
#78 Nathan Leddige OL 6-5
282 Fr. Beaverton, Ore. (Southridge)--Incoming freshman.
#74 Walker Madden OL 6-9
260 Jr. Yucca Valley, Calif. (College of
the Desert CC, Calif.)--JUCO transfer.
#73 Chase Roullier OL 6-4
290 Fr. Savage, Minn. (Burnsville)--Incoming freshman.
DL
#98 Kurt Taufa'asau DT 6-2 284 Sr. Pago Pago, American Samoa (New
Mexico Military)--13 games played. Starter at defensive tackle. 27 tackles, 2.5
for loss. 1 sack, 1 pbu, 1 fumble recovery.
#54 Miraldo Michel DE 6-3 265 Sr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
(Ellsworth CC, Iowa)--Starter at defensive end.
#12 Sonny Puletasi DE 6-3 241 So. Lawton, Okla. (Lawton)--12
games played. 8 tackles, 2 for loss. 1 forced fumble. Starter at defensive end.
#50 Mike Purcell DT 6-3 303 Sr. Highlands Ranch, Colo. (Highlands
Ranch)--12 games played. Starter at defensive tackle. 48 tackles, 3 for loss. 2
sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 2 blocked kicks, 1 safety.
#58 B.J. Sumter DT 6-1 305
Sr. Columbia, S.C. (New Mexico Military)--8 games played. 5 tackles. 2nd team
defensive tackle.
#95 Patrick Mertens DT 6-5
287 Jr. Sterling, Colo. (Sterling)--2nd team defensive tackle.
#31 Jeff Roueche DE 6-3
234 Jr. Niwot, Colo. (Niwot)--4 games played. 2nd team defensive end. 2
tackles.
#55 Eddie Yarbrough DE 6-3
253 R-Fr. Aurora, Colo. (Grandview)--2nd team defensive end.
#94 Max Gustafson DT 6-4 226 Jr. Casper, Wyo.
(Natrona County)--3rd team defensive tackle.
#85 Mark Willis DE 6-4 225
Jr. Oak Park, Ill. (Oak Park & River Forest)--9 games played. 14 tackles, 2
for loss.
#57 Chase Appleby DL 6-0
280 Fr. Frisco, Texas (Centennial)--Incoming freshman.
#36 Sam Awrabi DE 6-3 240
Fr. Clovis, Calif. (East)--Incoming freshman.
#96 Justin Bernthaler DE
6-2 245 Jr. Stuttgart, Germany (Fullerton CC, Calif.)--JUCO transfer.
#97 Dan Crook DT 6-3 250
So. Bingham City, Utah (Arizona State)--Transfer from Arizona State.
#52 Sam Hardy DL 6-3 275
Fr. West Hills, Calif. (Chaminade College Prep)--Incoming freshman.
#92 Tom Harris DE 6-5 235
R-Fr. Parker, Colo. (Colorado School of Mines)--Redshirted in 2011.
#90 Uso Olive DL 6-1 305
Fr. Federal Way, Wash. (Federal Way)--Incoming freshman.
The Cowboys run a 4-3 defense
that utilizes two defensive tackles and two defensive ends. Defensive ends
Miraldo Michel (senior) and Sonny Puletasi (8 tackles, sophomore) do not have
much statistical experience and are a bit of a wild card as they are needed to
produce in 2012 after watching and learning in 2011. Tackles Kurt Taufa'asau
(27 tackles, senior) and Mike Purcell (48 tackles, senior) are both seniors
that have alot of experience and are possible NFL draft prospects if they
continue to improve during their senior seasons. Sumter (5 tackles), Mertens, Roueche
(2 tackles), and Willis (14 tackles) all look to work themselves into the
rotation and while inexperienced, must still be ready to take some pressure off
of the starters.
LB
#05 Korey Jones WLB 6-2 233 Sr. Fort Collins, Colo. (Garden City
CC, Kan.)--13 games played. Starter at WLB. 59 tackles, 6 for loss. 4 sacks, 2
pbu, 1 fumble recovery.
#35 Oliver Schober MLB 6-0 235 R-Sr. Munich, Germany
(Feodor-Lynen)--Starter at MLB.
#08 Zack Berg SLB 6-2 226 R-Fr. Edmonds, Wash. (Edmonds
Woodway)--Starter at SLB. Redshirted in 2011.
#53 Alex Borgs WLB 6-2 231
So. Raesfeld, Germany (Dusseldorf)--2nd team WLB.
#43 Devyn Harris LB 6-3
225 Jr. Fountain, Colo. (Fountain-Fort Carson)--13 games played. 2nd team MLB.
65 tackles, 1.5 for loss. 3 pbu, 1 forced fumble.
#23 Ghaali Muhammad LB 6-0
221 Sr. St. Joseph, Mo. (Central)--2nd team SLB. 60 carries for 379 yards and 2
TD. 8 catches for 52 yards. 3 tackles. 12 kickoff returns for a 21 yard
average.
#27 Todd Knight LB 6-2 210
Jr. Aurora, Colo. (Grandview)--13 games played. 12 tackles, 1 for loss. 3rd
team SLB.
#44 J.J. Quinlan LB 6-1
238 Jr. Everett, Wash. (C. Washington)--3rd team MLB.
#09 Patrick Hartford SLB
6-0 222 Sr. Rock Springs, Wyo. (Rock Springs)--7 games played. 1 tackle. 4th
team SLB.
#45 Lucas Wacha LB 6-1 208
Fr. Texarkana, Texas (Pleasant Grove)--Incoming freshman.
#46 Ben King LB 6-0 215
Fr. Tacoma, Wash. (Bellarmine Prep)--Incoming freshman.
#42 Nicholas Cipriano LB
5-11 190 R-Fr. Preston, Conn. (Norwich Free Academy)--Redshirted in 2011.
#34 Siaosi Hala'api'api LB
6-2 225 Fr. Honolulu, Hawai'i (Kaimuki)--Incoming freshman.
#12 Ruben Narcisse LB 6-1 214 Jr. Miami, Fla.
(Chaminade-Madonna Prep)--JUCO transfer.
The 4-3 defense of the Wyoming
Cowboys has only one starter that has any real experience. Senior weakside
linebacker Korey Jones made 59 tackles with 4 sacks in 2011 with starting
middle linebacker Oliver Schober and strong side linebacker Zack Berg having no
in game experience. One surprising note from the Wyoming depth chart is that
2011 starter Devyn Harris is the backup to Schober at middle linebacker even
after 65 tackles last fall. Former running back Ghaali Muhammad moves to the
backup SLB spot after rushing for 379 yards in 2011. Borgs, Knight, and Quinlan
all look to fight for playing time as well.
DB
02 Marqueston Huff CB 6-0 195 Jr. Texarkana, Texas
(Liberty-Eylau)--13 games played. Starter at cornerback. 47 tackles, 2.5 for
loss. 3 interceptions, 2 pbu, 3 fumble recoveries.
41 Andrew Meredith SS 6-0 200 Jr. Green River, Wyo. (Green
River)--13 games played. 5 tackles. Starter at nickel back.
20 Blair Burns CB 5-10 180 So. Plano, Texas (Plano)--Starter
at cornerback. 6 punt returns for 13 yad average. 9 kickoff returns for a 20.1
yard average. 13 games played. 48 tackles, 1.5 for loss. 4 interceptions, 4
pbu, 1 fumble recovery.
29 Luke Ruff FS 5-11 200 Sr. Castle Rock, Colo. (Douglas
County)--13 games played. Starter at free safety. 102 tackles, 2 for loss. 2
pbu, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble.
21 Mark Nzeocha SS 6-3 220 So. Neusitz, Germany (FOS
Ansbach)--10 games played. Starter at strong safety. 15 tackles, 0.5 for loss.
1 interception, 2 pbu.
03 Luke Anderson NB 5-10
195 Jr. Southlake, Texas (Blinn CC, Texas)--13 games played. Back up nickel
back. 75 tackles, 3.5 for loss. 2 interceptions, 9 pbu, 2 forced fumbles. 3
kickoff returns for a 19 yard average.
24 Kenny Browder FS 5-11
180 Sr. Round Rock, Texas (Stony Point)--10 games played. Backup free safety.
16 tackles.
04 DeAndre Jones CB 6-0
180 So. Killeen, Texas (Harker Heights)--13 games played. 11 tackles. Backup
cornerback.
#07 Chad Reese SS 5-11 180
So. Tyler, Texas (Tyler Lee)--13 games played. 12 tackles. 1 forced fumble. 2nd
team strong safety.
#13 Darrenn White CB 6-0
184 So. Kansas City, Mo. (University Academy)--11 games played. 13 tackles. 1
pbu, 1 fumble recovery. 2nd team cornerback.
#32 Jake Schiffner CB 5-10
195 So. Calgary, Alberta (Centennial)--No stats in 2011.
#37 Brandon Albright CB
5-7 175 R-Fr. Peyton, Colo. (Falcon)--Redshirted in 2011.
#16 Cortland Fort CB 6-0
182 Fr. Fontana, Calif. (Army Prep)--Incoming freshman.
#07 Damian Greene DB 5-9
174 Fr. Sammamish, Wash. (Skyline)--Incoming freshman.
#06 B.J. Hendrix Jr. CB
5-11 188 So. O'Fallon, Ill. (Rochester CC, Minn.)--JUCO transfer.
The Wyoming defense has a fairly
experienced secondary led by senior free safety Luke Ruff who made an
impressive 102 tackles in 2011. Junior Marqueston Huff added 47 tackles and 3
interceptions from his cornerback spot. Sophomores Blair Burns and Mark Nzeocha
added a combined 63 tackles from their cornerback and strong safety spots.
Junior Andrew Meredith is the nickel back but inexperienced after making only 5
tackles in 2011. Junior Luke Anderson made 75 tackles but is currently listed
as the backup at the nickel spot which is a bit of a surprise. Browder (16
tackles), Jones (11 tackles), Reese (12 tackles), and White (13 tackles) all
look to get in the rotation in the secondary and will fight for playing time.
K
#14 Daniel Sullivan K 5-10 185 So. Snohomish, Wash. (Jackson)--7-11
field goals with a long of 48 yards. 6-8 from inside 40 yards.
#94 Stuart Williams K/P
5-11 180 So. Nederland, Colo. (Nederland)--No stats in 2011.
Sophomore Daniel Sullivan was
solid as a true freshman making 7-11 field goal attempts with a long of 48
yards. He was 6-8 from inside 40 yards and making solid contributions. Sullivan
will be needed to keep improving so he can be called upon more in 2012.
P
#28 Tim Gleeson P 6-2 195 Fr. Melbourne, Australia (Viewbank
College Prep)--Incoming freshman.
#94 Stuart Williams K/P
5-11 180 So. Nederland, Colo. (Nederland)--No stats in 2011.
Freshman Tim Gleeson and
sophomore Stuart Williams will battle all summer and early fall for the right
to punt for Wyoming. Gleeson currently has the top spot on the depth chart but
Williams could easily overtake him with a strong summer. This is probably the
most wide open spot on the depth chart.
LS
#40 Zach Ewan LS 5-9 216
So. Phoenix, Ariz. (North Canyon)--No stats in 2011.
Long snapper Zach Ewan is the
projected long snapper after not getting into any games in 2011. It will be a
bit of a mystery whether he can handle the job but it is desperately needed for
him to produce in 2012 for the Wyoming special teams to be successful.
2011 saw Wyoming make it to a
bowl game but lose to a very talented Temple squad. 2012 sees Wyoming a bit
more ambitious with its schedule that includes trips to Texas, Nevada, and
Fresno plus home games versus Toledo, Air Force, Boise, and San Diego State.
The Cowboys have 5 very winnable games and must win at least 3 of those 7 tough
home and away games to hope to make 2012 as successful as 2011.
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