TK (Tyler) King, a 5'9" sophomore wide receiver for the Wyoming Cowboys, is known for his impressive speed, particularly during his runback touchdown at North Texas last month. It’s no coincidence that his X handle is “tk2speedy." Additionally, his handle features a cheetah emoji. Originally from Houston, Texas, King started his college football journey at Texas Tech before entering the transfer portal and ultimately finding a new home in Wyoming.
How did TK end up in Wyoming? Wyoming’s coaching staff was quick to reach out as soon as he entered the transfer portal. Although he thought he might end up at a different school, he’s thankful for Wyoming’s persistence, much like those pesky extended warranty companies…"For two weeks after I was in the portal, Sawvel (Wyoming head coach) was calling my phone every single day."
Life in the fast lane seems to be a way of life…or maybe it should be King of the fast lane. King, one of the fastest recruits from Texas, acknowledges that his speed has shaped his playing style. "I feel like my speed is a big part of my game, but at the same time, I don’t feel like speed is everything. It’s still a lot of technique and certain things you have to do to play football…Yeah, my speed definitely helps me a lot."
Speaking of speed…most Wyoming fans first learned about King during his very bold and speedy introduction, but for King, it was a “homecoming moment” and a family affair. King blasted off with a pivotal 105-yard kickoff return against North Texas, which marked his first career touchdown. King said, "It felt good, I finally got the chance to do it in a game... My whole family was there, back home in Texas, it was just great."
Although he is known for his big special teams play, King is clear that his passion for playing the wide receiver is very important to him. "I enjoy both, but mainly, I say I enjoy receiver. I love running routes, I love catching passes," King explained. "In the return game…It’s like I just flip a switch, and I go right back to running back from my original days of playing football." Having multiple roles on a team isn’t something new for King; while growing up, he played running back, wide receiver, quarterback, and defensive end.
Life on the high plains of Wyoming is a lot different than in Lubbock, Texas. Transitioning to Wyoming was a refreshing experience for King. He used the opportunity to "refresh and restart," and found the slower pace of life in Laramie helpful for personal growth. "Out here, it’s not like how it is in Texas. I try to keep my faith in God and work on myself while I’m out here." King gives credit to his teammates and coaches for making the move to Wyoming a smooth transition. "When I first got here, I was already part of the family. They all took me in and showed me the ropes of Laramie, showed me how to be a Cowboy," he said.
Like most athletes we cover, a common denominator is a large family support system. One of the key influences in King’s life is his family, particularly his father and older brother. His father has been a constant presence in his athletic journey, coaching him from a young age. "My dad, he’s been hands-on in every sport I’ve done my whole career," King said. "He’s been my football coach and put me on the running track when I was six years old." King’s older brother, Kelvin, was a nose tackle for the University of Houston and was also a major influence for King. "I grew up wanting to be like my brother... Having a big brother really showed me exactly how to do it. Which really helped a lot."
Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel is very impressed with King’s progression, particularly after he battled an ankle injury during spring practice. "There were a couple of flashes and some things that were good," Sawvel said. "The progression through fall camp was really good." Sawvel highlighted King's competitive streak and speed, noting that he nearly reached 23 miles per hour on a run last summer. "He’s fast. He can roll," Sawvel said. "We’re happy he’s here, and he’s doing a good job."
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