By Jeff Bugher
As we approach the 2023 football season, the University of Wyoming's wide receivers are poised to step up to the plate. Despite the departure of star player Josh Cobbs to the University of Houston, the team's depth chart indicates a diverse mix of talent ready to fill the void. Key wide receivers like Alex Brown, Jaylen Sargent, Ryan Marquez, and Will Pelissier are expected to lead the line, with Wyatt Wieland primed for the slot receiver position. Transfers Ayir Asante from Holy Cross and Devin Boddie Jr. from Vanderbilt also bring significant collegiate experience and promise to the team. Despite challenges, including injuries faced by players like Gunner Gentry in 2022, the Cowboys' receiving corps is ripe with potential, including fresh talents like Bricen Brantley, Kayden LaFramboise, and three-star recruit Justin Stevenson. As the 2023 season kicks off, Wyoming's wide receivers are expected to make a significant impact.
2022 stats and summary:
Leading the pack was Josh Cobbs, who played in 12 games and recorded 35 receptions for 407 yards at an average of 11.6 yards per catch, scoring 2 touchdowns. Other notable contributors included Wyatt Wieland with 23 receptions for 299 yards and 1 touchdown in 13 games, and Will Pelissier with 8 receptions for 101 yards and 1 touchdown in 9 games. Other interesting stats from the 2022 season- Wyoming had 1,716 total reception yards, while their opponents had 2,821 reception yards. Also, Wyoming had 11 receiving touchdowns, while their opponents had 19 touchdowns.
1 Player lost to the transfer portal:
Joshua Cobbs to the University of Houston
2023 Summer Depth Chart:
Wide Receivers (X)
WR1: 9 Alex Brown (6-4, 198, Jr., Spring, Texas)
During his sophomore year (2021), Alex Brown played in 3 games, making 3 receptions for 33 yards at an average of 11.0 yards per catch, though he didn't score any touchdowns. In his junior year (2022), he had a more substantial impact, participating in 12 games and recording 6 receptions for 69 yards, averaging 11.5 yards per catch, and scoring 1 touchdown. Throughout his college career, Alex has accumulated a total of 9 receptions for 102 yards, with an average of 11.3 yards per catch, and scored 1 touchdown. Brown missed 4 games in 2022 due to injury.
“Alex Brown possesses really good down-field speed.” Craig Bohl
WR2: 8 Jaylen Sargent (6-2, 183, So., Logan, Utah)
In Jalen Sargent’s sophomore year (2022), Jaylen played in 2 games, making 2 receptions for 12 yards, with an average of 6.0 yards per catch, and he did not score any touchdowns.
Wide Receivers (Z)
WR1: 20 Ryan Marquez (6-1, 200, Gr., Arvada, Colo.)
During Ryan Marquez’s senior year (2022), Ryan played in 13 games, making 5 receptions for 44 yards, with an average of 8.8 yards per catch, and he didn't score any touchdowns. Additionally, he had 3 rushing attempts for 12 yards, averaging 4.0 yards per carry. Marquez has also been a major contributor on special teams which included a special teams touchdown in 2022. Ryan’s father and brother played football at CU Boulder.
“… Ryan Marquez is another veteran who has graduated already and will provide us (with) good experience.” Craig Bohl
WR2: 83 Will Pelissier (6-3, 205, Jr., Big Horn, Wyo.)
During Will Pelissier’s junior year (2022), Will played in 9 games and made 8 receptions for 101 yards, with an average of 12.6 yards per catch, and scoring 1 touchdown. Additionally, he had 6 rushing attempts for 38 yards, averaging 6.3 yards per carry, and scored 1 rushing touchdown.
“…The other guy who has good speed is Will Pelissier.” Craig Bohl
Slot Receivers
WR1: 11 Wyatt Wieland (6-1, 207, Gr., Colorado Springs, Colo.)
During Wyatt Wieland’s junior year (2021), he played in 5 games, making 4 receptions for 60 yards, with an impressive average of 15.0 yards per catch, although he didn't score any touchdowns. In his senior year (2022), Wyatt played in 13 games, securing 23 receptions for 299 yards, averaging 13.0 yards per catch, and scoring 1 touchdown. Additionally, he contributed as a rusher with 6 rushing attempts for 19 yards and scored 2 rushing touchdowns. Throughout his college career, Wyatt has accumulated a total of 27 receptions for 359 yards and 6 rushing attempts for 19 yards, scoring a total of 4 touchdowns.
“Wyatt Wieland is a sixth-year player, who has shown a really good ability to make plays.” Craig Bohl
WR2: 23 Caleb Merritt (5-11, 187, RFr., St. Louis, Mo.)
During his sophomore year (2022), he appeared in 1 game (Barstool Arizona Bowl, making 1 reception for 6 yards. 2022 3 star recruit out of high school, and was the number 19th overall NCAA high school recruit from the state of Missouri per 247 Sports.
Other WR’s on the Roster:
Ayir Asante 6-0 174 Jr. – Transfer from Holy Cross
In the 2023 offseason, Ayir Asante made a significant transfer to the University of Wyoming from Holy Cross. During his time at Holy Cross, Ayir showcased his receiving abilities and became a valuable asset to the team's offense. In the 2019 season, he recorded 48 receptions for 701 yards, averaging 14.6 yards per catch, and scored 6 touchdowns, with a long reception of 69 yards. In the following seasons, he continued to display consistency, making 5 receptions for 34 yards and 1 touchdown in 2020, 43 receptions for 529 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2021, and 21 receptions for 458 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2022. His impressive performances throughout his college career highlight his potential to make a significant impact as a wide receiver for the Wyoming team in the upcoming season.
“We watched an extensive amount of tape on Ayir (Asante). We’ve got quite a bit of experience in FCS football -- Asante was at Holy Cross- and watching the teams that he played against we got a good feel for him.” Craig Bohl
Devin Boddie Jr. 5-11 175 Jr. – Transfer from Vanderbilt
In the 2023 offseason, Wyoming welcomed wide receiver Devin Boddie, who transferred from Vanderbilt. During his time at Vanderbilt, Devin had the following stats: 2021 season, he made 29 receptions for 263 yards, averaging 9.1 yards per catch, and scored 1 touchdown, with a long reception of 61 yards. In the following season, he continued to display his ability, recording 3 receptions for 61 yards, averaging an impressive 20.3 yards per catch, although he did not score any touchdowns. His performances at Vanderbilt demonstrate his potential to be a valuable asset to the Wyoming offense, and his addition to the team could bolster their receiving corps in the upcoming season.
“Boddie showed some play-making ability at Vanderbilt where he was able to stretch the field.” Craig Bohl
16 Gunner Gentry 6-3 208 Gr.
Gunner Gentry, a talented wide receiver, has faced significant challenges with injuries throughout his career at Wyoming In 2019, he made 6 receptions for 130 yards, with an impressive average of 21.7 yards per catch, though he did not score any touchdowns. In 2020, despite battling injuries, he still contributed with 2 receptions for 28 yards, averaging 14.0 yards per catch, and scored 1 touchdown. Now, after overcoming his injury setbacks, Gunner is back stronger and ready to make a significant impact in the 2023 season. His return will undoubtedly bolster Wyoming's receiving corps, and his talent and determination will be key factors in their offensive success in the upcoming season.
Kayden LaFramboise 6-4 195 Fr.
85 Chase Locke 6-3 204 Jr. – Former USC walk-on
14 Justin Stevenson 6-1 184 Fr. – 3 star recruit
Bricen Brantley 6-3 175 Fr.
24 Charlie Coenen 6-0 194 RFr.
19 Caleb Cooley 5-7 168 Jr. – Also UW’s punt returner.
2023 Outlook
I anticipate that the summer depth chart will undergo notable changes by the start of the season. It's highly probable that Gentry and Asante will secure their spots in the lineup, with Asante's valuable experience being too significant to remain untapped in 2023. Lots of upperclassmen, but not a lot of game experience on the depth chart. It is my opinion that if injury plagues the run game, the team would need to rely on passing the ball more. Bohl is indeed driving the wide receiver unit to rise to the occasion and deliver.
“This is a group that needs to improve in their play-making ability”… “This group is going to need to emerge. We have some older, experienced guys but now it’s time for them to shine.” Craig Bohl
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