By Jeff Bugher
6/8/2024
The University of Wyoming Cowboys have made a splash on the 2024 Athlon Sports Mountain West Football All-Conference Team, with a remarkable 15 players recognized for their outstanding performance and potential. This recognition reflects the depth and talent of the Wyoming football program across all positions. Here’s a detailed look at the Cowboys honored.
First-Team Offense
Harrison Waylee - Running Back
Harrison Waylee, a 5'10", 203-pound senior running back from Johnston, Iowa, has excelled in his college football career. In 2023, he played in 10 games for the Cowboys, starting nine, and rushed for 947 yards and five touchdowns. He was named Honorable Mention All-Mountain West and Second Team All-MW by Phil Steele. Waylee had notable performances, including a 75-yard touchdown against Texas and four games with over 100 rushing yards. Before transferring to Wyoming, Waylee played for Northern Illinois University, where he earned Third Team All-MAC honors in 2022 and was on the Doak Walker Award Watch List. He has amassed 2,876 career rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.
John Michael Gyllenborg - Tight End
John Michael Gyllenborg, a 6'5", 245-pound junior tight end from Leawood, Kansas, has shown significant progress in his college football career. In 2023, he played in all 13 games for the Cowboys, starting in four, and recorded 23 receptions for 360 yards and three touchdowns. Highlighting his season, Gyllenborg caught a career-long 89-yard touchdown pass against Hawaii, finishing that game with a career-high 128 receiving yards. In 2022, he appeared in 12 games, catching three passes for 21 yards. An academic standout, Gyllenborg earned Academic All-Mountain West honors and previously excelled in high school sports at Rockhurst High School in Kansas City, Missouri.
Nofoafia Tulafono - Offensive Lineman
Nofoafia Tulafono, a 6'2", 324-pound senior center from Victorville, California, has been a cornerstone of the Cowboys' offensive line. In 2023, he started all 13 games, playing a crucial role in enabling Harrison Waylee to achieve four 100-yard rushing games and protecting quarterback Andrew Peasley. His performance contributed to Wyoming's impressive fourth-down conversion rate of 66.7%, earning the team a spot on the Joe Moore Award Mid-season Watch List. In 2022, Tulafono also started all 13 games, helping to block for a 1,000-yard rusher and earning Second Team All-Mountain West honors from Pro Football Focus. A consistent presence since 2021, Tulafono has demonstrated versatility and leadership on the offensive line throughout his college career.
First-Team Defense
Jordan Bertagnole - Defensive Lineman
Jordan Bertagnole, a 6'4", 290-pound graduate student defensive tackle from Casper, Wyoming, has been a consistent and dominant force on the Cowboys' defensive line. In 2023, he started all 13 games, earning second-team All-Mountain West Conference honors and first-team All-MW by Phil Steele. Bertagnole recorded 60 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks, along with six quarterback hurries and two pass break-ups. Over his career, he has amassed 175 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and 10.5 sacks. Known for his disruptive play, Bertagnole has started 21 of 30 career games and earned accolades for his performance, including multiple All-Conference honors and Academic All-MW recognition.
Shae Suiaunoa - Linebacker
Shae Suiaunoa, a 6'3", 232-pound linebacker and graduate student from Houston, Texas, has been a standout player for the Cowboys. In 2023, Suiaunoa started all 13 games, earning third-team All-Mountain West honors by Phil Steele. He recorded 93 total tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and an interception, ranking second on the team and tenth in the MW with 7.2 tackles per game. Suiaunoa's career stats include 178 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, and two interceptions over 40 games. A versatile athlete, he played quarterback in high school and has made significant contributions on special teams and defense throughout his college career.
Wyett Ekeler - Safety
Wyett Ekeler, a 5'11", 200-pound free safety and senior from Windsor, Colorado, has been a consistent performer for the Cowboys. In 2023, Ekeler appeared in all 13 games, starting 12, and earned Honorable Mention All-Mountain West honors. He recorded 77 tackles, including 5.5 for loss and 2 sacks, along with 2 interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Ekeler also forced and recovered 2 fumbles. Over his career, he has accumulated 150 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, and 17 pass breakups across 38 games. A versatile athlete, Ekeler was a standout at Windsor High School, rushing for 1,435 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior. He is majoring in Management of Human Resources at UW.
Second-Team Offense
Jack Walsh - Offensive Lineman
Jack Walsh, a 6'3" junior offensive guard from Palatine, Illinois, has been a pivotal player for the Wyoming Cowboys. In 2023, Walsh started all 13 games, earning All-Mountain West honors from Pro Football Focus and landing on Phil Steele's third team. His contributions were instrumental in Wyoming's offensive success, including paving the way for Harrison Waylee's impressive rushing performances. Walsh's efforts helped the Cowboys rank top-15 nationally in fourth-down conversion percentage. His football pedigree runs deep, with his father, John Walsh, having previously lettered for the Cowboys. Rated as a three-star recruit out of Fremd High School, Walsh's impact on the field has been significant, and he continues to be a cornerstone of Wyoming's offensive line.
Wes King - Offensive Lineman
Wes King, a 6'5" sophomore offensive guard hailing from Appleton, Wisconsin, has quickly made his mark on the Wyoming Cowboys football team. In 2023, King started all 13 games, showcasing his talent and versatility on the field. His role in paving the way for standout performances by Harrison Waylee and providing protection for quarterback Andrew Peasley didn't go unnoticed, contributing to Wyoming's impressive offensive rankings nationally. Prior to his collegiate career, King earned numerous accolades in high school, including First Team All-State honors as a defensive lineman and recognition as the Fox Valley Association Defensive Lineman of the Year. Rated as a three-star recruit, King's potential has been evident from the start, and his impact on the field for the Cowboys is poised to grow.
Second-Team Defense
DeVonne Harris - Defensive Lineman
DeVonne Harris, a 6'4" defensive end weighing 240 pounds, has been a standout player for the Wyoming Cowboys, showcasing his versatility and dominance on the field. In 2023, as a graduate student, Harris started every game, recording 35 tackles, four sacks, eight quarterback hurries, and four passes defended. Notably, he made critical plays with two blocked kicks, one resulting in a game-winning touchdown. His impact extends to previous seasons, including 2022, where he led the team in sacks (8.0) and ranked second in tackles for loss (13.0), earning All-Conference recognition. Before college, Harris earned All-State honors at Big Lake High School in Minnesota, highlighting his consistent excellence. Off the field, he is pursuing a degree in physical education.
Sabastian Harsh - Defensive Lineman
Sabastian Harsh, a 6'3" defensive end weighing 242 pounds from Scottsbluff, Nebraska, has been a key player for the Wyoming Cowboys, particularly in 2023 when he recorded 50 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and three sacks, earning Third Team All-MW honors. Despite missing the 2022 season due to injury, his impact was evident as he consistently disrupted opposing offenses. In high school, Harsh showcased his versatility, accumulating 2,674 yards of total offense in his senior year alone. Harsh is pursuing a degree in Kinesiology and Health Promotion.
Isaac White - Safety
Isaac White, a 6'1" strong safety weighing 201 pounds hailing from Pottstown, Pennsylvania, has been a consistent force for the Wyoming Cowboys throughout his career. In 2023, he tallied 61 tackles, including one interception, showcasing his versatility in both pass coverage and run support. His performance in 2022, where he recorded 66 tackles and three pass breakups, earned him academic All-Mountain West honors. At Malvern Prep and Mullen High School, White demonstrated his athleticism in football and basketball. White is majoring in business at Wyoming.
Third-Team Defense
Wrook Brown - Defensive Back
Wrook Brown, a versatile nickel back from Salado, Texas, stands at 5'11" and weighs 184 pounds. In 2023, he showcased his defensive prowess with 47 tackles and a team-leading three interceptions, earning recognition as a key playmaker in the secondary. His impact continued in 2022, where he recorded 37 tackles and demonstrated his ability to disrupt opposing offenses. At Salado High School, Brown excelled in both football and track, earning recognition as the 2020 MVP of Texas District 9 in Class 4A Division II.
Fourth-Team Offense
Caden Barnett - Offensive Lineman
Caden Barnett, a towering offensive tackle from Justin, Texas, stands at 6'5" and weighs 310 pounds. In 2023, Barnett emerged as a key starter for the Wyoming Cowboys, showcasing his blocking ability in 10 starts and contributing to the team's offensive success. His impact continued from the previous season, where he played in all 12 games, aiding in the team's rushing attack and pass protection. Barnett's potential was evident in high school, where he earned accolades like First Team All-District Class 5A Division II for District 4-5A.
Fourth-Team Defense
Tyrecus Davis - Cornerback
Tyrecus Davis, a senior cornerback hailing from Greenville, Texas, stands at 5'10" and weighs 186 pounds. In his debut season with the Wyoming Cowboys in 2023, Davis showcased his defensive prowess, tallying 27 total tackles, including an impressive seven-tackle performance in his debut against Texas Tech. His versatility was evident as he contributed with interceptions, fumble recoveries, and pass breakups, displaying his impact across various aspects of the game. Prior to joining Wyoming, Davis excelled at Navarro Community College, where he earned Second Team All-Southwest Junior College Football Conference honors in his final season, showcasing his talent and potential.
Fourth-Team Specialists
John Hoyland - Kicker
John Hoyland, a senior kicker from Broomfield, Colo., stands at 5'10" and weighs 196 pounds. Throughout his collegiate career with the Wyoming Cowboys, Hoyland has demonstrated exceptional skill and consistency in the kicking game. In the 2023 season, he showcased his prowess by making 13 of 20 field goals, including three from beyond 50 yards. Notably, he earned the title of MVP in the Arizona Bowl, securing victory for the Cowboys with a game-winning field goal as time expired. Hoyland's stellar performance earned him recognition as the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Week and the Lou Groza Star of the Week. His remarkable consistency continued into the 2022 season, where he set a new Wyoming single-season record by making 22 of 25 field goals, further solidifying his reputation as one of the top kickers in the nation. Hoyland has left a mark on Wyoming football, earning accolades such as Second Team All-Mountain West honors and multiple Special Teams Player of the Week awards. Off the field, he pursues academic excellence as a mechanical engineering major, reflecting his commitment to both athletics and academics.
Portions of biographies provided by the University of Wyoming were utilized to showcase each player's achievements.
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