By Jeff Bugher
CASPER, WYOMING - Wyoming is the least populated state in the United States. While it lacks in population, it stands out for its remarkable natural beauty, vast open spaces, and abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation. The state takes pride in its breathtaking landscapes, attracting nature enthusiasts and adventurers from all around the world. Despite its small population, Wyoming is very lucky to feature a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) football program at the University of Wyoming, setting it apart from neighboring states like Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota, all of which only have Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) collegiate football programs. UW embraces and excels in the realm of FBS collegiate football, representing the state with pride and passion in the Mountain West Conference through a diverse roster.
Small Population:
Given the state's low population, one may wonder how the University of Wyoming Football team manages to gather talented players to compete at the FBS level. The answer lies in the team's need to recruit talent from outside the state, a common approach taken by college programs across the nation.
What about in-state Wyoming recruits?
For in-state high school college prospects, the path to playing college football can be challenging due to several factors. Many football recruits from more populated areas have been playing football since "little league," an opportunity not as readily available in many parts of Wyoming. Additionally, the absence of access to 7-on-7 programs and camps, which are crucial recruiting platforms for collegiate-level play, further adds to the hurdles faced by local recruits. Despite these challenges, the lack of exposure to Division 1 (D1) programs gives the University of Wyoming a unique "backyard" recruiting advantage that other schools might not possess. In-state recruits already possess the cherished "Cowboy Tough" mentality and desire to play in Laramie without any adjustment for the state's distinctive climate and weather conditions.
In-state recruit NFL draft success in the last 20 years:
The University of Wyoming has definitely had a lot of success with in-state recruits and has produced notable talent within its borders. In recent years, four in-state recruits have been drafted to the NFL since 2004. These include Casey Bramlet of the Cincinnati Bengals (Wheatland) in 2004, John Wendling of the Buffalo Bills (Rock Springs) in 2007, Chris Prosinski of the Jacksonville Jaguars (Buffalo) in 2011, and Logan Wilson of the Cincinnati Bengals (Casper) in 2020.
The burning question: Where are the members of the University of Wyoming's football team from?
Texas and Colorado lead the way, with both states contributing 21 players each, making up 18.42% of the team's roster respectively. California follows closely with 18 players representing 15.79% of the roster. Interestingly, Wyoming itself is the third-largest contributor, with 13 players proudly representing the Cowboy State, accounting for 11.4% of the team's roster.
Here's the complete list:
1. Texas and Colorado are tied for first place, each contributing 21 players, making up 18.4% of the roster.
2. California follows in second place with 18 players, representing 15.8% of the roster.
3. Wyoming, the home state of the college, is in third place, with 13 players accounting for 11.4% of the roster.
4. Nebraska and Wisconsin are tied in fourth place, both providing 7 players, comprising 6.1% of the roster.
5. Illinois is in fifth place with 5 players, making up 4.4% of the roster.
6. Minnesota is in sixth place with 4 players, representing 3.5% of the roster.
7. Alaska, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Utah are all tied in seventh place, each contributing 2 players, accounting for 1.8% of the roster.
8. Alabama, Arizona, Kansas, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Tennessee are tied in eighth place, with each state providing 1 player, making up 0.9% of the roster.
2023 Complete Wyoming Football Roster (By State Alphabetically):
Alabama (1):
1. Jakorey Hawkins - CB
Alaska (2):
1. Malique Singleton - N
2. Read Sunn - LB/LS
Arizona (1):
1. Evan Svoboda - QB
California (18):
1. Mitchell Anderson - RB
2. Ian Bell - CB
3. Caleb Cooley - WR
4. Ethan Day - DE
5. Jamari Ferrell - RB
6. Ben Florentine - NT
7. Easton Gibbs - LB
8. Tyler Jacklich - RB
9. Dawaiian McNeely - RB
10. Colin O’Brien - TE
11. Connor Shay - LB
12. Ethan Shipp - OG
13. Nofoafi a Tulafono - C
14. Miles Tucker - S
15. JJ Uphold - OT
16. Brenndan Warady - FS
17. Jaden Williams - DT
18. Daylen Wilson - CB
Colorado (21):
1. Gage Brook - QB
2. Buck Coors - FS
3. Ethan Drewes - OG
4. Wyett Ekeler - FS
5. Dante Gavito - OL
6. Nathan Geiger - OL
7. Gunner Gentry - WR
8. Deron Harrell - CB
9. Cayden Hawkins - LB
10. Jeremy Hollingsworth - RB
11. John Hoyland - PK
12. Ryan Marquez - WR/Holder
13. Nick Miles - TE
14. Luke Sandy - C/OG
15. Braden Siders - DE
16. Kevin Sjogren - DE
17. Jones Thomas - S
18. Jordan Turnbull - DE
19. Tell Wade - DE
20. Wyatt Walters - OL
21. Wyatt Wieland - WR
Illinois (5):
1. Jake Davies - OT
2. Naz Hill - CB
3. Jovan Marsh - (Position not specified)
4. Kuba Tyszka - OL
5. Jack Walsh - OG/OT
Iowa (2):
1. Rex Johnsen - OG
2. Harrison Waylee - RB
Kansas (1):
1. John Michael Gyllenborg - TE
Minnesota (4):
1. Charlie Coenen - WR
2. DeVonne Harris - DE
3. Forrest Scheel - OT
4. Treyton Welch - TE
Missouri (2):
1. Brady Hultman - LB
2. Caleb Merritt - WR
Nebraska (7):
1. Sabastian Harsh - DE
2. Koa McIntyre - SS
3. LJ Richardson - RB
4. Caleb Robinson - DT
5. Sam Scott - RB
6. TJ Urban - SS
7. Tyce Westland - DE
New Jersey (1):
1. Ayir Asante - WR
Oklahoma (2):
1. Ralph Fawaz - P
2. Carson May - QB
Oregon (1):
1. Andrew Peasley - QB
Pennsylvania (1):
1. Isaac White - SS
South Carolina (1):
1. Cole DeMarzo - LB
Tennessee (1):
1. Devin Boddie Jr. - WR
Texas (21):
1. Kaden Anderson - QB
2. Caden Barnett - OT
3. Bricen Brantley - WR
4. Alex Brown - WR
5. Wrook Brown - N
6. Chauncey Carter - CB
7. Keelan Cox - DE
8. Tyrecus Davis - CB
9. Josh Dixon - CB
10. Dante Drake - DT
11. D.Q. James - RB
12. Chase Locke - WR
13. Cooper Mailand - FB/TE
14. Lucas Samsula - DT
15. Justin Stevenson - WR
16. Clayton Stewart - P
17. Shae Suiaunoa - LB
18. Kolbey Taylor - CB
19. Jayden Williams - DT
20. Carson York - LS
21. Micah Young - LB
Utah (2):
1. Jayden Clemons - QB
2. Jaylen Sargent - WR
Wisconsin (7):
1. Jaxon Galica - DE
2. Cole Godbout - NT
3. Quinn Grovesteen-Matchey - OT
4. Wes King - OG
5. Gavin Meyer - NT
6. Keany Parks - RB
7. Brandt Rice - OL
Wyoming (13):
1. Abraham Bangoura - OL
2. Jordan Bertagnole - DT
3. Cody Crawford - DT
4. Frank Crum - OT
5. Jevon Davis - FS
6. Caleb Driskill - FB
7. Andrew Johnson - SS
8. Kayden LaFramboise - WR
9. Kimball Madsen - FB
10. Will Pelissier - WR
11. Isaac Schoenfeld - TE
12. Isaac Sell - CB
13. Nic Talich - LB
Condensed Data:
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