Wyoming Recruits Transfer QBs with Statement Promoting Football Program on Twitter
Dec 24, 2021
Wyoming quarterback Levi Williams (15) plays against New Mexico in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Wyoming is looking for a quarterback, and it isn't hiding it.
After quarterback Levi Williams entered the transfer portal following the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl win over Kent State, the program posted something of a help-wanted message on Twitter explaining it will look for a signal-caller in the portal or junior college:
The college football landscape is changing with the one-time transfer rule and NIL. Our staff anticipated this movement and have a clear vision to navigate these uncharted waters. After a successful early signing day, Cowboy Football will address the need to sign a quarterback via the transfer portal or junior college.
We believe this is a great opportunity for a transfer quarterback to make an impact on our program. We've seen that before when we brought Josh Allen into our program, and we're excited for the next chapter of Cowboy Football.
The mention of Allen is particularly notable since he started his collegiate career at Reedley College before transferring to the Cowboys and eventually becoming the No. 7 overall pick of the NFL draft.
He is now one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
Williams' decision to leave comes after he tallied five total touchdowns in the win over Kent State.
Wyoming WR Commit Tony Evans Jr. Dies at Age 17 After Shooting
Apr 11, 2021
High school football player Tony Evans Jr. was fatally shot early Sunday morning in the Stemmons Corridor, Dallas, according to Kelli Smith of the Dallas Morning News.
The 17-year-old receiver from Lancaster, Texas, had committed to play football at Wyoming next season, per Sam Marsdale of 247 Sports.
Police said Evans and another person were shot at about 1:30 a.m. in a room at the Hawthorn Suites hotel. Both of them were taken to a hospital, where Evans was pronounced dead. The other victim is reportedly in stable condition.
Police currently do not have a suspect in the case.
Evans was considered a 3-star recruit and No. 179 athlete in the 2021 class, per 247 Sports composite rankings. He finished last season with 13 catches for 268 yards and four touchdowns as a senior for Lancaster High School.
Levi Williams, Wyoming Dominate Georgia State 38-17 in 2019 Arizona Bowl
Dec 31, 2019
Wyoming quarterback Levi Williams, left, is tackled by Air Force defensive lineman Mosese Fifita after a short gain in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 20-6. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Wyoming Cowboys won their second bowl game in three years.
Wyoming defeated the Georgia State Panthers 38-17 at the 2019 Arizona Bowl on Tuesday at Arizona Stadium. Quarterback Levi Williams led the way in just his third career game with four total touchdowns, helping the Cowboys finish 8-5 and bounce back from three losses in the final four regular-season games.
As for Georgia State, this marks four losses in the last five games after a solid start to its 7-6 campaign.
Notable Player Stats
Wyoming QB Levi Williams: 11-of-26 passing for 234 yards, three touchdowns and one interception; 12 carries for 53 yards and one touchdown
Wyoming RB Xazavian Valladay: 26 carries for 204 yards and one touchdown; three catches for 91 yards and one touchdown
Georgia State QB Dan Ellington: 13-of-26 passing for 156 yards, one touchdown and one interception; 14 carries for 70 yards and one touchdown
Georgia State WR Cornelius McCoy: five catches for 78 yards and one touchdown
Wyoming's Defense Sets the Tone Before Offense Finishes
Wyoming's defense appeared to be in for a long day when it allowed a touchdown on the opening possession, which was uncharacteristic for a unit that finished 11th in the country in points allowed per game.
It quickly found its form, though, setting up the offense with short fields thanks to a turnover on downs and an Alijah Halliburton interception. It also held Georgia State to a field goal when backed up inside the 10-yard line to help cut short the Panthers' early comeback efforts.
That was all the offense needed, as Williams took advantage of the short fields with touchdown passes to Austin Conway and Xazavian Valladay. Valladay also helped put the game away with a touchdown run in the third quarter, although the best individual effort came from Williams right before the end of the first half.
He unleashed an incredible throw as he was falling backward to Ayden Eberhardt for a 51-yard touchdown, one of seven passes—three of which went for touchdowns—he completed in the first half.
Levi Williams had never thrown a TD pass in college coming into today. He has now thrown two passing TDs in a span of about 5 minutes in real time. pic.twitter.com/fJkvi51iDK
Wyoming's defense, which also tallied a 4th-and-goal stop in the fourth quarter, hasn't needed much help to contend in games given how dominant it has been for stretches this season. That both sides of the ball played well in Tuesday's game suggests good things to come in 2020.
Williams, a freshman, won't win any awards for his completion percentage from this victory, but he made timely throws to take advantage of scoring opportunities when they presented themselves and even scored on the ground. That, along with strong running from Valladay, was enough to complement the defense.
Dan Ellington's Toughness Stands Out Even in Defeat
There are few better stories of toughness in the entire bowl season than Georgia State quarterback Dan Ellington's.
The senior tore his ACL against Louisiana-Monroe on Nov. 9, but he played the final three games of the regular season and started Tuesday's bowl contest.
"I knew I was going to finish the season out the game I got hurt," he told reporters. "I just had to see how I was moving."
Georgia State QB Dan Ellington is out here playing on a torn ACL and still finding the end zone. Nothing but heart and determination. 🙌@GeorgiaStateFB | @novaAZBOWL pic.twitter.com/A4DvEkrHIn
The dual-threat quarterback who threw for 21 touchdowns and ran for five more during the regular season was moving just fine at the start of Tuesday's game. He ran four times for 45 yards on Georgia state's first possession alone and capped off the drive with a touchdown scamper.
While that was largely the high point for the signal-caller, who struggled with accuracy, he found running lanes to keep the Panthers within striking distance early and connected with Cornelius McCoy for a long touchdown in the third quarter.
Most athletes, even at the professional level, wouldn't have played with a torn ACL. Ellington did and turned some heads along the way.
NFL Combine Invitee Carl Granderson Charged with Sexual Assault
Feb 8, 2019
Wyoming defensive end Carl Granderson (91) looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game against New Mexico in Albuquerque, N.M., Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Former Wyoming Cowboys defensive end and 2019 NFL draft prospect Carl Granderson has been charged with third-degree sexual assault and sexual battery, according to the Casper Star-Tribune's Davis Potter.
Wyoming issued a statement on the matter Thursday, per Wyo4News:
"The allegations stem from an incident following the conclusion of the 2018 football season and the end of Granderson's athletic eligibility. Because of that, the Department of Athletics cannot suspend him, which is the usual course of action for student-athletes when felony sexual assault charges are filed against them, under university policy."
Potter notes that the Laramie Police Department received a call on Nov. 26 and a report was filed the next day. Per Potter, being convicted of third-degree sexual assault in Wyoming can be punishable with up to 15 years in prison, while sexual battery carries a one-year sentence.
Cowboys coach Craig Bohl also addressed his former player's charges.
"The sexual assault charges recently filed against Carl Granderson are serious, and the allegations are troubling," Bohl said in a statement. "I want to assure the people of Wyoming that we hold our young men to the highest of standards, and this alleged behavior is unacceptable."
Granderson is no longer enrolled at the university after recently graduating.
After earning first-team All-Mountain West honors as a junior in 2017, Granderson recorded 40 total tackles and three sacks as a senior this past season.
The 6'5", 261-pound lineman was among the 338 draft prospects invited to the 2019 NFL scouting combine on Thursday. The combine will be held in Indianapolis from Feb. 26 to March 4.
In 2016, the NFLimplementeda rule prohibiting players with misdemeanor or felony convictions from participating in the combine. Granderson was on the list of invitees as of Friday morning.
Josh Allen Declares for 2018 NFL Draft After Idaho Potato Bowl
Dec 22, 2017
Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen (17) passes the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boise State in Boise, Idaho, on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Otto Kitsinger)
Wyoming Cowboys quarterback Josh Allen declared for the 2018 NFL draft after he propelled his side to a 37-14 win over Central Michigan in the Idaho Potato Bowl on Friday, according to the Casper Star-Tribune.
The school congratulated Allen on his decision after he threw for 154 yards and three touchdowns en route to MVP honors:
As was the case Friday, Allen didn't post eye-popping numbers during his redshirt junior season.
In 10 starts prior to the Idaho Potato Bowl, the 21-year-old completed 56.2 percent of his passes for 1,658 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Those figures represented a step back from the 2016 campaign, when Allen threw for 3,203 yards, 28 scores and 15 interceptions over the course of 14 games.
That regression contributed to Allen's status as one of the most divisive prospects the 2018 draft class has to offer.
While it's clear Allen has the size (6'5", 233 pounds), athleticism and arm strength required of pro quarterbacks, he's not especially polished as a passer.
"He scares me like he scares everyone, but he is easily the most physically talented quarterback (in this class)," an AFC director of college scoutingtold NFL.com's Lance Zierlein. "He will get drafted much higher than the level of his tape."
Bleacher Report's Matt Miller had Allen projected to come off the board at No. 4 overall in his latestmock draft. The only quarterbacks slotted ahead of him are UCLA's Josh Rosen and USC's Sam Darnold.
Josh Allen Ruled Out vs. Fresno St. with Shoulder Injury
Nov 18, 2017
LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 12: Quarterback Josh Allen #17 of the Wyoming Cowboys throws against the UNLV Rebels during their game at Sam Boyd Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. UNLV won 69-66 in triple overtime. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
University of Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen missed Saturday's home game against Fresno State at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie because of a shoulder injury.
Brandon Foster of the Casper Star-Tribune provided the status update. Nick Smith moved into the starting lineup to fill the void.
Allen emerged as a potential top NFL draft prospect with a breakout 2016 season during which he threw for 3,203 yards with 28 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 14 games. He's displayed all the physical tools necessary to develop into a high-end player at the sport's most important position.
In 10 games this season, his completion percentage is nearly identical to last season's (56.2) to go with 1,658 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions.
On the injury front, the 21-year-old California native missed almost his entire freshman campaign in 2015 after suffering a broken right clavicle. It's since been reported he sought an insurance policy to protect himself against future health issues before making the jump to the pro ranks.
Smith appeared in five games as a freshman two years ago but completed just 27 of 60 throws with two touchdowns and one interception.
Ultimately, Allen sports an impressive skill set and has made steady progress since taking over the reins of the Wyoming offense last year. Any type of long-term absence would be a setback for the team's offense and also start to raise questions about his durability.
'Stick to Football' Ep. 22: Week 1 Surprises & Disappointments from Top CFB QBs
Sep 6, 2017
It's football season, baby! In a loaded episode, Matt and Connor are joined by musician Ryan Hurd to talk about watching football on the go, the long wait to drink on the road and his thoughts on the horrible Michigan uniforms.
You'll also hear from Matt and Mello after watching top quarterback Josh Allen of Wyoming against Iowa—stick around for the "Beer Me" challenge rules.
Wyoming's Tim Zaleski Completely Misses Punt vs. Iowa
Sep 2, 2017
BR Video
Tim Zaleski made a bit of a miscalculation in Saturday's game versus Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium.
While attempting to punt the ball for the Wyoming Cowboys near the end of the second quarter, Zaleski seemed to get a bit distracted and ended up kicking air instead.
The misstep proved to be a costly one for the Cowboys, as Iowa was able to regain control of the ball and flip it into a touchdown with 27 seconds remaining in the half to head into the locker rooms up 14-3.
Of course, the unique mistake caused a stir among fans on Twitter.
Wyoming Cowboys vs. Utah State Aggies: Live Score and Highlights
Oct 30, 2015
PULLMAN, WA - SEPTEMBER 19: A Wyoming Cowboys football helmet sits on the field during the game against the Washington State Cougars at Martin Stadium on September 19, 2015 in Pullman, Washington. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
We witnessed a classic Midwest rivalry on Friday night when the Utah State Aggies won the infamous "Bridger's Battle" against the Wyoming Cowboys, their division rivals, in a 58-27 victory.
Wyoming were without some of its key players, including senior QB Cameron Coffman and WR Tanner Gentry. Freshman QB Nick Smith started in place of Coffman, marking his first start in his young college football career.
The team was off to a strong start before giving up the lead to Utah. Despite the loss, Smith did pretty well in his first starting performance, completing 10-of-18 passes for 83 yards, resulting in two touchdowns. Other top performers on the Cowboys squad were WR Jake Maulhardt, who scored two of the team's touchdowns tonight. Brian Hill finished with 26 carries and 201 yards.
The strength of Utah State is the defensive line, which ranks 24th in the nation, and it proved why during Friday's showcase, limiting Wyoming to 353 yards. Top performers included QB Kent Myers, who completed 14-of-17 passing for 246 yards for three touchdowns. Devante Mays had an exciting series of plays throughout the game, resulting in 22 carries for 176 yards and two touchdowns. WR Wyatt Houston also logged two touchdowns for the Aggies.
Utah State needed this win after breaking a three-game winning streak with a 48-14 loss to San Diego State last week. It is aiming for a win to stay ahead of Boise State in hopes of keeping the lead in the division, and to contend for the Mountain West title.
Both teams return to the field next Saturday, with Utah facing the New Mexico, and Wyoming taking on Colorado State.
