By Jeff Bugher
9/10/2024
Last Friday night, Jovon Bouknight was inducted into the University of Wyoming Athletic Hall of Fame, this moment cemented his legacy as one of the program’s elite wide receivers.
Regarding his Hall of Fame induction, Bouknight is very grateful. "It was a tremendous honor and a huge privilege to be up there with the other inductees. Wyoming gave me so much, and it’s been an incredible journey," he shared. "The Hall of Fame is about more than just stats—it’s about being part of something bigger. Wearing the brown and gold shaped me into the person I am today, and I’m forever grateful for that."
So…How good was Jovon Bouknight? Let’s examine his career statistics at Wyoming from 2002 to 2005. He appeared in 47 games, with 250 receptions for 3,626 yards, 29 touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown.
Mountain West All-Time Career Records:
Receptions: (250) #4
Receiving Yards: (3,626) #3 - That’s over 2 miles!
Receiving Touchdowns: (29) #4
Yards from Scrimmage: (3,905) #17 – 2.21 miles!
Kickoff Returns: (87) #7
Kickoff Return Yards: (2,016) #9 – 1.14 miles!
Total Yards Per Return: (23.2) #18
"The University of Wyoming has been great to me. It shaped my character and provided me with opportunities, including the path into coaching," Bouknight reflected. "But more than anything, I learned what it means to be Wyoming tough."
Bouknight helped lead the Cowboys to many memorable victories, including the 2004 Las Vegas Bowl win over UCLA. It was one of many games that he brought up during our interview. "The Vegas Bowl was special, man. It was one of those moments you dream about as a player. To be able to bring that kind of success to Wyoming and celebrate it with my teammates, those memories will last forever." He continued, “ Beating CSU, and BYU at home... There were some big ones, man, even the SEC opponents like beating Ole Miss two years in a row," Bouknight said. "I enjoyed every bit of it, and I wouldn’t change it for one bit."
For Bouknight, wearing the brown and gold was much more than playing the game of football. "You learn real quick once you put on that brown and gold what it means to be tough," he said. "I’ve always considered myself a tough player, but being here teaches you a different kind of toughness—whether it's the altitude, the weather, or the small-town atmosphere, it's not easy. But the guys who push through those factors find out how special this place really is."
Following his playing career at Wyoming, Bouknight tested the waters in the NFL, before starting his college coaching career. Prior to coming to Wyoming, Bouknight coached at Marshall, Kentucky, Oregon, Texas Tech and Utah State. He was also a graduate assistant at Wyoming.
In July of 2024, Wyoming head football coach Jay Sawvel hired Bouknight for an offensive analyst position for the Wyoming Cowboys. Back in Wyoming, Bouknight continues to carry the same pride for the program that defined his career. "The significance of wearing that brown and gold is more important than ever. It represents toughness, perseverance, and loyalty. In today’s era of college football, where players come and go through the transfer portal, it’s the guys who stick it out that truly embody what it means to be a Cowboy."
“I’m forever grateful for my teammates, my coaches, and everyone who’s been a part of my journey,” Bouknight said. "Wyoming will always be a special place to me."
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