The Wyoming football team is gearing up for the 2026 season, and players say this year feels different. With a new sense of camaraderie and competitiveness, the team is looking to improve on last year’s 4-8 record.
Leadership and Team Chemistry
Graduate-transfer quarterback Tyler Hughes is one of the key leaders on the team, and his teammates say he’s making a big impact. “I will always be a guy that will push you to be the best that you can be,” Hughes said. “That’s not even just a football player, it’s as a person, because I’d want you to do that for me. If you catch me slacking, call my bluff. I’d hope you want me to do that for you, too, push you to the best person that you can be.”
The team’s defense is also looking strong, with the return of tight end Jake Wilson and the addition of new players like edge rusher Esaia Bogar. “We don’t have a defensive end that would trot out for us right now that plays under 250 pounds,” said head coach Jay Sawvel. “We’ve never had that before.”
The team’s offense is also looking to improve, with a new scheme and a focus on scoring points. “Scoring points,” said Sawvel, when asked what he’s looking forward to most from the new offense.
Player-Led Practices and Team Bonding
The team has been holding player-led practices, which have helped to build camaraderie and competitiveness. “We’re in the summer, we get to do player-led seven-on-seven (drills) and some smaller walkthroughs, and the vibes are just completely different,” said middle linebacker Ethan Stuhlsatz. “The competitiveness. We’re getting on each other — offense and defense — we’re not friends out there, even in the littlest of things. That really happened in spring ball, a lot. It got intense, but with that energy, it just feels different.”
The team is also bonding off the field, with activities like paintball and film study. “Team chemistry,” said left tackle Rex Johnsen. “This group feels way more closer. We’re all hanging out a lot more. We have played paintball together, we’re watching film together. It’s just all the little things we’re doing together now. I think just doing that has made us come so much closer.”
The Wyoming football team is set to begin fall camp in Laramie on August 5, with the season opener against Colorado State on September 5.
Original reporting: K2 Radio (Casper) — read the source article.
