By Jeff Bugher
jeff@pokesnews.com
Who will be in the lineup against Texas Tech on September 2nd?
In a surprising turn of events, Wyoming Cowboys head coach Craig Bohl delivered unfortunate news at a press conference last Friday regarding the team's running back situation. The starting running back, Dawaiian McNeely, is set to miss the entire year due to a torn ACL. This announcement has prompted a reshuffling of the depth chart and a need for other players to step up in his absence.
The McNeely Setback
Coach Bohl's somber tone at the press conference indicated the gravity of the situation. The torn ACL sustained by Dawaiian McNeely is a major blow to the team's offensive arsenal. Bohl addressed the media, stating, "Yeah, it's a torn ACL. He'll be done for the year. So major surgery, we were concerned about that, but that's what I thought." Bohl continued, expressing his support for McNeely's recovery, saying, "I want to support him, he'll get his surgery and then get in the rehab deal. Hopefully he'll be back for next year."
Next Man Up: Harrison Waylee and D.Q. James
With the starting running back sidelined for the season, the focus now shifts to the latest summer depth chart. Transfer Harrison Waylee, initially listed as RB2, was poised to step up in McNeely's absence. However, Waylee is set to miss the first couple of games due to rehab from an offseason surgery. Coach Bohl spoke on Waylee's rehabilitation progress by saying, "I saw Harrison run up and down, I think he was running up to 3000 yards today. So, whether we'd have him for the first game or not, I think that's somewhat doubtful."
In Waylee's absence, D.Q. James emerges as the primary candidate to take on the RB1 role at least for the first couple of games. The 5-foot-7, 172-pound running back was initially listed as RB3 on the summer depth chart. Coach Bohl highlighted James's progress despite his ongoing rehab, stating, "DQ has done some things well, but he's not quite 100%. We think he will be. He's been slowed by some rehab, but he's making some progress."
New Faces in the Mix
Coach Bohl revealed that junior JUCO transfer Jamari Ferrell, hailing from Saddleback CC, has impressed during his time with the team. Bohl's high regard for Ferrell was evident as he mentioned, "I think Jamari is doing some good things." Another intriguing prospect is former linebacker Sam Scott, whose transition to the running back position late last season has shown promise. Bohl remarked, "I was encouraged by what I have seen so far regarding Scott’s progress.”
Additional RB's on the Roster:
21 Jeremy Hollingsworth 5-9 210 Jr. - 2023 spring game: scored the first TD of the game on a two-yard run. An injury sidelined Hollingsworth in 2022. In my opinion, we could see him in the lineup in 2023.
26 L.J. Richardson 6-1 215 RFr. - 2023 spring game: was the leading rusher with six carries for 52 yards and one rushing TD.
25 Mitchell Anderson 5-8 183 So. - 2023 spring game: 1 carry for 6 yards.
Tyler Jacklich 6-3 205 Fr.
Keany Parks 6-1 180 Fr.
Jamari Ferrell 5-8 190 Jr
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