2019 Recruiting Breakdown: Wyoming

Welcome to the eighth post in our twelve-part recruiting breakdown series. Today looks at the #8 team in our rankings, Wyoming.

Wyoming had a pattern under Coach Bohl when it comes to their recruiting classes. They find players who mainly fly under the recruiting radar, fit their system, and can be developed by the coaching staff. Then, many of the players become some of the better ones in the conference. This year, did the Cowboys recruit better than they normally do? Read below to find out.

Note: This post will highlight the 24 players announced by Wyoming on their official website. More players announced their commitment or signing to Wyoming on social media but either ended up not signing or do not appear to be on scholarship.

The Skinny:

• 24 players signed
• 12 offensive, 12 defensive
• 12 players listed at 3-stars by one of the major recruiting sites.
• Breakdown by state: California 10, Texas 7, Minnesota 3, Missouri 2, Illinois 1, Wyoming 1
• 97th in the 247 Composite Rankings

The Players:

QB Levi Williams

• Levi Williams is a very very good get at quarterback for the Cowboys. He appears extremely comfortable in the pocket going through his progressions and is confident in his arm and ability to make throws, even in tight windows. Williams makes strong accurate throws and can play out of shot-gun, in play-action and throw on the move. He can even take off and run it himself a bit when the situation arises. Levi looks like a multi-year starter at first glance and fits the mold of what a Bohl quarterback looks like.

RB Alphonzo Andrews Jr

• Alphonzo Andrews is a small but dynamic running back coming into Laramie. He can stop on a dime and change direction with ease and when he finds a hole, he shows great burst down the field. Andrews has top end speed that wasn’t contested at the high school level and should play above the competition in college as well. He can run between or outside the tackles, but does his best work with space and open field, so it will be interesting to see how he does with clogged lanes. Alphonzo could find himself getting a few carries in games next year and if he does, will make an impact.

RB Titus Swen

• Titus Swen is the second running back commit in this class, and on film looks like a more traditional back. He runs between the tackles well, knowing where he is supposed to go and fights for extra yards even in the process of being tackled. Swen may not have blazing speed but he is fast and keeps his feet moving constantly which enables him to keep the yards coming. He adept at cutting once and committing to the run, which helps him as well. Titus may benefit from a redshirt year this season but seems set up well for a long term work-horse type of role.

RB Dawaiian McNeely

• Dawaiian McNeely is the third running back commit in this class, which isn’t seen too often these days. He appears to be the tallest of the trio, and perhaps the most well-rounded. On his tape, he displays the initial patience when waiting for a play to develop and a hole to appear. However, once he commits to a running lane, McNeely shows impressive speed and is able to distance himself from defenders with his long strides. He is skilled at bouncing out to the sidelines when plays get blown up and also does a good job making defenders miss. Dawaiian may be the best bet to play next year and it’s easy to see him having a big role during his Cowboys career.

WR Alex Brown

• The Cowboys seem to like tall wide receivers and Alex Brown certainly fits that description. He stands at 6’4” and while he doesn’t have blinding speed he covers a lot of ground, gliding through the field on his routes and after the catch. Brown is quite the deep threat and is able to get behind defenders fairly easily. He can also be valuable in the short passing game, running a variety of quick routes where he can make use of his large catch radius to hall in a pass. Alex fits into the plans of Wyoming and their offense and should see the field in a year or two.

WR Dev Jennings

• Dev Jennings is a bit in the same mold at Brown; not as tall but much faster. He is certainly another big play and deep threat and does a good job high pointing the ball on a 50/50 throw. Jennings does a good job making a quick move at the line of scrimmage to shake off a defender and then blowing by them with his speed. He secures the catch well with his reliable hands and his biggest trait might be the way he extends plays after the catch with his feet. Dev looks like he could see the field in some capacity next season and should be in a large role before too long.

WR Isaiah Neyor

• Isaiah Neyor is another tall wide receiver, this one at 6’3”, continuing the pattern for the Cowboys. He is another play who often uses moves at the line of scrimmage to attempt to get an immediate advantage on his defender. Neyor does a really nice job tracking the ball in the air on longer routes to ensure he catches it in stride. He gets to top speed quickly and is hard to bring down after the catch due to his big frame. Isaiah may have some trouble distingushing himself with the other receivers in this group, but is still a good bet to be a contributor in a year or two.

TE Treyton Welch

• Treyton Welch is the record holder for his high school team in many of the receiving categories, and for good reason. He moves down the field fast, is a big target, and is a smooth route runner, which is a great combination that certainly contributes to his success. Welch mainly lined up out wide or in the slot in high school so he may have to adjust to being more on the line in Wyoming’s offense, but it could end up making his more dangerous as it will be hard to know what his route will be. Treyton looks like he could see the field next fall in some role and should have no problems putting up solid numbers in college.

TE Parker Christensen

• Parker Christensen was primarily a running back at the high school level and now will step into the H-back or tight end role in college. He is a hard runner, bouncing off would be tacklers and fighting for every possible yard on plays. Christensen sees the field well and appears smart enough to know how to position himself each play to make the biggest impact. He could be utilized best as a big-time blocker and a short yardage specialist, but is talented enough to get carries in non-specialized packages as well. Parker may not be quite ready to play as soon as next season but he shouldn’t be kept off the field long as he brings talent to an often under the radar position.

OL Latrell Bible

• Latrell Bible played a lot of defensive line or tight end in high school, but Wyoming is taking him as an offensive lineman. Given his tape is full of highlights at spots he won’t be playing, it’s important to look at the skills that will carry over to his new spot. Bible stays low before the snap, explodes up and makes contact right in the middle of the person he’s trying to get past. He moves well and is technically sound in his pass-rushing, and he also seems to have a knack for reading the movements of the opposition and striking at the weak point. Latrell should be given time to add weight and learn a new position, but he’s a smart football player.

OL Jack Lookabaugh

• Jack Lookabaugh is a nice athletic pickup for the Cowboys. He moves great laterally with good, smooth footwork on his blocking. Lookabaugh is even out wide for some plays, showing off his athleticism and getting downfield in his blocks. He is a physical, hard-hitting blocker who should negate talent pass-rushers. Jack played tackle in high school and he looks like a good bet to stick there in college.

OL Connor Shopp

• Connor Shopp is a strong but lean lineman who definitely can add more weight to his frame going forward. Watching his film, it’s evident he understands the ins and outs of blocking, combining sound technique with brute strength to deliver hard hits. Shopp starts in a nice, low stance that allows him to channel his strength into big hits after the snap. He is mobile and can roll out on blocks to lead the charge on plays to the outside. Connor may benefit from a redshirt year, but expect to see him on the line sooner rather than later.

DT Naphtali Moimoi

• Naphtali Moimoi is an athletic defensive lineman who can play both inside or outside but is listed at a defensive tackle for the Cowboys. He has good game speed for a DL player and is focused on getting into the backfield and causing disruption. Moimoi doesn’t give up on plays, moving until the whistle blows and often this style allows him to get back into the play and make a tackle. Naphtali is someone who could benefit from a redshirt to add weight and continue to develop but looks to be a solid contributor going forward.

DE Alonzo Hall

• Alonzo Hall is a pass-rushing specialist who had an ideal frame for that position. He is long and explosive off the line, fighting through blocks to find a way to get to the quarterback. Hall goes right at blockers, initiating contact and likes to use a bull-rush to push them. He could stand to develop additional moves but his ability to get to the quarterback shouldn’t be questioned. Alonzo could benefit from a year or so to add strength and continue to develop his technique before being unleashed on the rest of the MWC.

DE Devonne Harris

• Devonne Harris is another who fits the mold at defensive end at 6’4, 225 pounds. He uses his long arms to block passes when he can’t get to the quarterback and displays nice speed and strength combination when he can get their to make a sack. Harris was athletic enough to double as a tight end in high school, which shows how well he can move and how elusive he can be, which will serve him well on defense. While he may need to redshirt to adjust to a full-time defensive role, it won’t be long before Devonne is on the field causing havoc for opposing QBs.

DE Jaylen Pate

• Jaylen Pate is yet another defensive end recruit, this one hailing from the Chicago-area that Wyoming has recruited well under Bohl. He runs hard, hits hard, and plays hard, knowing only one speed when he’s on the field. Pate can line up on the inside or outside of the line, but either way, he gets into the backfield without much difficulty and makes an impact on the play. He is equally adept in run support, getting an arm around the running back even when blocked and uses his strength to make the tackle. Jaylen was a nice find for the Cowboys and should end up as a dependable starter before too long.

LB Isaiah Abdullah

• Isaiah Abdullah doubled as a wide receiver as well as a linebacker in high school, so it’s clear he can move well on the field. He is able to roam the field a bit on defense, which shows he can cover a lot of ground and handle zone assignments in coverage. Abdullah plugs up the gaps in a hurry on run assignments and is a sound tackler, doing a nice job wrapping up running backs. Much of his tape is on offense, so Isaiah may need time to get used to fully committing to defense, but his athleticism should allow him to see the field as quick as possible.

LB Easton Gibbs

• Easton Gibbs is a smart football player who always seems to be around the ball and has a knack for making big plays. He has great game speed that he shows off both in coverage, where he can cover out wide and in the slot, as well as racing into the backfield to stop running backs seemingly before they get going. Gibbs reads pre-snap motion and formations well and seems to shade himself into position for plays at an advanced level. Though smaller, he has the potential to be an impact player. Easton should fit in well as a SAM type linebacker who has some safety or nickel responsibilities and will likely surprise many with how quick he finds a way on to the field.

LB Shae Suiaunoa

• Shae Suiaunoa played a lot of quarterback in high school but will move to defense full time with Wyoming. Mobile high school quarterbacks make great college players at other positions because they have high football IQs, can read offenses and defenses, have leadership intangibles, and see the field in unique ways. Suiaunoa will bring all of that to the linebacker spot, where it’s easy to see him becoming the leader of the defense. He runs well and should be able to cover a lot of ground at either the MIKE or WILL spots. These will allow Shae to focus on primarily run stoppage and short yardage coverage as he adjusts to defense.

CB Caleb Roberson

• Caleb Roberson is a defensive back who made a ton of tackles last season. He plays solid coverage, whether tight in man or looser in zone and has a knack for tracking the ball in the air. Roberson displays good technique and sound footwork whether it’s in a back-pedal, turning and running, or shading sideways. He has good hands from his time as a wide receiver and shouldn’t have a problem getting interceptions at the college level. Caleb has the look of a multi-year starter before it’s all said and done.

CB Jordan Murry

• Jordan Murry spent his time in high school football on the offensive end of the football, but is slated to be a defensive back for the Cowboys. Looking at the skills that can translate over, there are a few to list here. Murry has great speed and is smooth turning his body and changing direction on routes. He tracks the ball well and and uses his body well to win jump balls. Jordan will likely need time to get used to movements as a cornerback but has the tools and athleticism to succeed there.

CB Allen Smith

• Allen Smith looks like a natural cornerback while watching his film. He plays tight, solid man coverage, sticking with his man and making a hard play on the ball when the opportunity comes. When playing more soft coverage, Smith displays great closing speed and delivers hard physical hits on players. He positions himself to keep eyes on both the quarterback and his man in coverage, which allows him to adapt as plays develop. Allen looks like he could see some snaps next fall but regardless, is a safe bet to become a starter within a season or two.

DB Jerome Cooper

• Jerome Cooper is another defensive back in this class for the Cowboys. He looks like a good fit for the safety position, as he is a physical tackler who is heavily involved in the run-game. Cooper does a nice job picking up slot receivers or running backs in coverage and uses his speed to cover a lot of ground on the field. He doesn’t give up on plays and seems to be focused on getting a hand on the ball to get a deflection or force a fumble. Jerome could see a special teams type of backup role as early as next season before finding a way into the staring lineup down the line.

DB Keonte Glinton

• Keonte Glinton comes in as another high-energy and high-impact type of player in the secondary. He has good game speed and can make up a step or two in coverage if he gets beat, as well as gain yardage on receivers to get into position to make a play on the ball. Glinton can also play off his man a bit and close quickly on short routes out to the flat and sometimes even jump the route to make a play. He has a good idea of what is happening on plays and adjusts quickly. Keonte is someone who could fight for a role next year but certainly has a bright future going forward.

Quick Hits:

Headliner(s):

Mike: Williams, Suiaunoa, Hall

Talented enough to play right away:

Mike: Williams, Suiaunoa, Hall, Andrews, McNeely

Sleeper Recruit:

Mike: Pate, Gibbs

Best unit:

Mike: Running back, Defensive End

Summary:

As can be said with a number of MWC teams all throughout the rankings, this is arguably the best recruiting class Wyoming has had. They have their usual under the radar players mixed with raw athletes in need of development. However, this class also contains a handful of highly talented players who represent in a step up in past recruiting efforts, but still fit the bill of being the type of player Wyoming has become known for. Depending on how this class shapes up, this could become known as a turning point for the Cowboys.

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Next Tuesday: San Jose State