Wyoming Dynasty, Year 12, 2024 End of Season/Start of 2025
Coach K had to convince 10 underclassmen to stay put and not enter the NFL draft, while 15 Seniors are leaving for the NFL, 11 of which are projected 1st rounders. Heisman Trophy winner HB Darnell Tiger will not enter the draft, as scouts say he is too small to play at the next level (5'9 200lbs).
There will be some MAJOR changes on the offensive side of the ball next season for the Cowboys. They will have a new starting QB, HB, TE, offensive lineman, and an entire new wide receiver core as their top 4 WRs left for the NFL.
I had a top 5 recruiting class this year, the top recruit being an 82 OVR WR. Offseason training went well, and a few position battles were won and lost from it, mainly backup spots.
Texas Tech has been removed from the BIG12. I was reluctant to do it cause it just seems wrong, but they were literally one of the worst rated and ranked teams in the nation the last few years. Their replacement? An up and coming team from the American conference, SMU, currently ranked #13 with an impressive team rating (90+ offense).
My offense is not as high (ratings wise) as they were last year, as they lost some key pieces due to graduation. The new QB will be the 6'6 230lb redshirt freshman, Ryan Hughes (82). This guy has a monster arm and don't forget he can run too (78 speed). The new HB is Grant Peterson (97), a highly touted recruit who has been trapped behind 2 Heisman trophy candidates on the depth chart the last 2 years. Finally, his junior year now, he will get a chance to shine. At WR there are many new faces. WR Mitchel Morrison (98), Jerrell Mayo (93), Nate Larsen (94), Travis Horne (93), Alan Nelson (92), and Brandon Griffin (91) have less then 10 career receptions combined.
At tight end, Matt Martin (86), who has been the starting fullback for the last 2 seasons, has been named the starter. Martin has a great combination of speed, receiving ability, and blocking. His only downfall is his size at just 5'11 and 250lbs. On the offensive line, LT Drew Jones (86), a redshirt freshman, will be the new starter. At 6'7 340lbs, Jones was the top offensive line recruit last season. Junior RG Ryan Brown (93) and Junior RT Paul White (87) are new starters on the offensive line as well. Seniors C Danny Forest (99) and Warren Stark (97) are returning starters.
The defense is absolutely loaded, and is one of the best Coach K has ever had on paper. DE Raymond Bishop (97), DE Nathan Bird (98), CB Tyler Carpenter (97), CB Mark Seward (94), FS Isaiah Johnson (98), SS Clinton Lee (99), MLB Bryan Pettigrew (97), and OLB Keegan Moses (98) are all returning starters. New starters include Junior OLB Steve Brown (95), Junior DT Manuel Lewis (93), and Sophomore DT Jared Berg (89).
The schedule is really a story of 2 halves this season. 4 out of the Cowboys first 6 games are against ranked opponents #14 TAMU, #22 Oklahoma, #9 Wisconsin, and #13 SMU. The other 2 are TCU and rival Texas who always plays Wyoming tough. After that, it should be smooth sailing for the Cowboys against unranked rival Colorado State, West Virginia, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Arkansas, and the season will wrap up in Denver, Colorado against Boise State in the annual Broncos vs Cowboys neutral site game.
Looks like it could be an amazing recruiting class for Wyoming in 2025, as 10 5 star recruits are interested including 3 ATH's ranked in the top 10 recruits.
I can't wait for this season to begin! Go Wyoming!