Finally had time to listen to the Burman interview on Cody Tucker's podcast. Sifting through the weeds, Burman had some interesting comments. Apologies if some of this has been posted before -

Every athlete on full scholarship receives $5000 per year; partial scholarship holders get $2500. However, to receive the back half of the money the athlete must be in good standing and enroll for the Fall Semester.

Hunter Maldonado made over $100,000 in NIL money and was the probably the highest paid MW athlete. UW is still trying to figure out how to build its NIL Program. A sponsor to give The Boys and Girls Club $300,000 to contract with student athletes - including Ike - and others. Burman said they will be working on how to keep athletes on campus once they get here and hopefully eliminate these mass exoduses. Not sure what that would look like other than re-evaluating their recruiting matrix.

Bohl is Burman's boy and can do no wrong. No pressure on him to make any changes. Status quo with the football program.

Great disappointment in Ike. Burman said he told everyone he's good to come back and just wants to get his foot right. Burman tone voice indicated he was full of shit all season long - no intention to play last season or come back. Big rift and pressure in the basketball locker room.

With 11 players signed, we can start to see an outline of what a potential rotation might look like. Obviously I have no idea how it will really end up since there are so many unknowns, but here is my best guess currently:

Starters:

G - Sam Griffin - 5th Year - 6'4" 180 - Averaged 15/3/2 at Tulsa last year. Overall has been a starter and significant scorer at the D-1 level for 4 years. He played his first 2 years at UT-Arlington, averaging 13/2/2 and shooting nearly 40% from 3. His shooting efficiency was not great at Tulsa and I think it was a classic case of a guy being asked to do too much on a bad team. About half his shots are from 3 and if we can build an offense that generates decent looks I think he can be a real perimeter threat. Very experienced player who has played in a tough conference (AAC).

G - Akuel Kot - 5th year - 6'2" 165 - Averaged 23/3/1 (yeah, assists aren't really his thing) last year at Fort Lewis where he was a D2 All-American and led them to a 29-4 record and Top 10 ranking in D2. A very interesting prospect, not just because he comes from the D2 level. Obviously slight of stature but does appear to have long arms and the ability to get his shot in a variety of ways. How that translates to the MWC will be very interesting. The player that comes to mind for me is Donta Richardson. Obviously the game is different today, but Richardson had a similar build and the ability to score in a variety of ways. The impressive thing to me about Kot is that his numbers got better and better every year and those huge numbers this past year were put up on very efficient shooting. 52/39/85 shooting splits with a True Shooting percentage over 65%. He shot 60% on 2's which is a very high number for a slightly built guard.

G/F - Brendan Wenzel - who the heck knows what year he is, technically his 5th college season, but can play one more year after this upcoming if he chooses - 6'7" 205 - I think we all know what we are getting here. Very good perimeter shooter and solid all around player.

F - Mason Walters - 5th year - 6'9" 225 - NAIA player of the year, was dominant at that level averaged basically 25/10 over his last 3 seasons as Jamestown. Very skilled, hit 60% from the field, 37% from 3 on decent volume, 83% from the FT line, etc. How does this translate to the MWC? I have no idea, but he certainly had nothing left to prove at the NAIA level. Is he quick enough to guard 4's at the MWC level?

C - Caden Powell - Sophomore - 6'10" 210 - This is probably a hopeful projection, but like others I appreciate him sticking around and would really like to see him make a substantial jump in to his sophomore season. The other likely possibility is that Walters starts here and someone else plays the 4.


Overall, I assume the 5th year guys aren't coming here to sit on the bench so I have them penciled in as starters. Bench contributors:

G - Kael Combs - 6'4" 190 - Freshman - Committed to Wyoming after a very successful senior season in which he earned all-state honors in Missouri at the highest classification. Also a FBS football recruit, he isn't as skinny as many of our recent freshmen. Very impressive numbers in High School (23/7/6) and the abiilty to score in multiple ways. Very excited to see him develop.

G - Kenny Foster - 7th year...just kidding, actually on his 5th but like Wenzel I believe he can play a 6th if he chooses - 6'5" 190 - This is all about health. When healthy, he has shown he can be a significant positive presence on the court. A good perimeter shooter who moves well without the ball and looks to make the right play. Would really love for him to come in healthy and take a starting job and have a huge season but until I see him stay healthy I don't think we can count on it. Averaged 9 ppg on a mid-tier MWC Wyoming team as a Sophomore so more than capable of being a key cog on this team.

G - Kobe Newton - 6'2" 175 - Junior - Comes to Wyoming after 2 years at Fullerton College (and a previous season at a JC in Kansas as well). Was the leading scorer on a team that won the California JUCO title and shot almost 40 percent from three on the season. Projects as a bench shooter to come in and knock down some 3s. Looks to be decently athletic, so hopefully can hold his own defensively.

F - Cam Manyawu - Freshman - 6'9 215 - All-state 6A in Missouri like Combs. Rated as the #2 high school prospect in Missouri behind his own teammate who is going to Iowa State (his other teammate was actually the state player of the year and is going to CSU, crazy high school team). Looks the part on highlight videos and I believe doesn't turn 18 until late in the summer. A bit of a late bloomer (but young for his grade so that is part of it). Averaged 7 ppg as a Junior but something like 16 as a senior on a loaded team. It doesn't take a big leap to imagine him as a 6'9" 235 force in a year or two.


Deep Bench:

G - Nigle Cook - 6'6''180 - Freshman - Very impressive highlight tape. Clearly a good athlete with the ability to finish above the rim, but what is really impressive is the 3 point stroke. Of course, you only see the made ones on the highlight tape but his motion/release is so smooth. Reminds me of Drake Jeffries a little bit. I am very excited to see his development. I put him here because just from the videos I have seen he needs some physical development and I think he might struggle at first at this level. I could be wrong, but very excited for him long term.

C - Oleg Kojenets - 7'0 232 - Junior - He's tall. Rarely got on the floor at Nebraska in 2 years. Someone has to be the 11th 12th or 13th guy and it might as well be a 7 footer who can maybe absorb some fouls.

G - Cort Roberson - Walk-on


A couple of additional comments:

1. Still (2) open spots and I really think we need a PG and a stretch 4/big wing. Depending on those last 2 signees I might change up the projected rotation. I think there is an opportunity for someone to come in and start at the 4 if they are the right prospect.

2. Skinny team overall. Hate to say it, but looks more like a Summit League roster size wise than a MWC roster. Hopefully skill can make up for it.

Wisconsin Green Bay... not a shocker!

since then, at least 16 players have entered the portal.

We are in some crazy, crazy times

2024 recruit

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Is gone.

Cowgirl Tennis beat New Mexico today (Saturday) to close out the regular season as the outright MW Conference Champions!!!


Cowgirl Tennis just beat Air Force 4-2 and with that victory becomes the MW Champions (regular season).
Congratulations to Coach Dean Clower and all of his staff and each and every member of the team.

AggiePoke.

Very well deserved.

Laramie, Wyo. (April 21, 2023) -- Describing this upcoming Saturday’s scrimmage as a “major deal”, University of Wyoming head football coach Craig Bohl is looking forward to seeing what Cowboys will step up to make their case for playing time for next season. Bohl emphasized that his team’s closed scrimmage on Saturday, April 22 will be important for he and his coaching staff to make evaluations of players -- more so than even the Spring Game that will take place on Saturday, April 29 and will be open to the public.



“This Saturday is going to be a major deal (scrimmage) -- who can make a play getting off a block, who can sustain a block, who can catch the football,” said Bohl. “Along with that as we compose our football team going into next year, you’re looking at who is going to rise up. We feel for instance we have three really good defensive ends -- who’s going to be our fourth. Those are the things we’re looking for. Some of our players who’ve returned, like Wrook Brown (nickel back), I think we know what Wrook can do but who’s going to back him up. Those are things from a head-coaching standpoint that I’m going to make clear tomorrow to our assistant coaches that when we walk off the field Saturday and we’re watching the tape who are those guys.”



In terms of the Spring Game on April 29, Bohl described that game as being more for the players to experience a game-like atmosphere but is not as important as an evaluation tool.



“The Spring Game is an opportunity for guys to go out and play in a game and we will get some evaluation from that, but the evaluation we get from this scrimmage tomorrow will be important,” added Bohl. “While we think we are thin at some spots, we are deeper (overall) than what we have been and we have more proven players.”



A couple of the positions that Wyoming does have excellent depth returning at are tight end and defensive end. Both of those position groups stood out in Thursday’s practice.



“We certainly had a spirited practice today. We did some live goal-line work, which was great to do,” commented Bohl. “A couple things that impressed me are our play-action pass game, getting the ball down field particularly to Treyton (Welch) and John Mike (John Michael Gyllenborg). I think that can be really beneficial for us to utilize that. Over on defense, Sabastian Harsh is really progressing from last year. It’s good to see him playing with confidence, and DeVonne Harris is doing some good things up front.



The tight end group that includes graduate student Welch and sophomore Gyllenborg also returns senior Colin O’Brien, junior Nick Miles and redshirt freshman Isaac Schoenfeld. Welch earned multiple All-Conference honors a year ago, being named First Team All-Mountain West by Pro Football Focus (PFF), Third Team by Phil Steele and Honorable Mention by MW head coaches and media. O’Brien, Miles and Gyllenborg also saw playing time in 2022.



At defensive end, Harris returns for his junior season after earning Fourth Team All-MW honors from Phil Steele and Honorable Mention from MW head coaches and media in his first season as a sohomore starter in ‘22. Harsh, now a sophomore, missed the 2022 season due to an injury he suffered in fall camp, but was expected to be the best of the young defensive end group entering last fall. Joining those two is sophomore Braden Siders, who earned Honorable Mention Freshman All-America honors from College Football News (CFN) a year ago.



Wyoming Natives Expected to Play Key Roles in 2023

When discussing the tight ends, Bohl was asked to give his evaluation on the development of Rock Springs, Wyo., native Isaac Schoenfeld. The redshirt freshman is currently listed on the Wyoming roster at 6-5 and over 250 pounds.



“I talked to him after our first scrimmage and told him I didn’t think he scrimmaged well last Saturday,” said Bohl. “I had watched him in high school at Rock Springs and was really impressed with him. He has shown good things in practice this spring but last scrimmage he did not operate at the level we expect. I challenged him today and he had a really good practice. I told him what we’re seeing today is what he needs to do come Saturday when the lights are on. He’s 257 pounds and is running well and catching the ball and hopefully he blocks well.



“That whole collection of our tight end group is something that a lot of people in our league don’t play with -- multiple tight ends -- that is some NFL league stuff. Blake Anderson (Utah State head coach) said when we played them they just ran out of bodies (to cover us). That’s got to be our edge. That’s got to be our nature and those tight ends play a big role.”



Unfortunately, another Wyoming native will be missing the final week of Spring Football with an injury he suffered in Thursday’s practice. Junior fullback Caleb Driskill from Gillette, Wyo., suffered a knee sprain on Thursday. Bohl said that Mountain View, Wyo., native Kimball Madsen will step into the fullback role for Driskill.



“We did lose Caleb Driskill today for probably a couple weeks,” announced Bohl. “I think he’s got a slight MCL sprain, which is too bad because he has really become a weapon catching the ball. They think he’ll be out four weeks or so, hopefully that is all it is. He has established himself as a guy who can really make an impact. He’s made great strides and I’m disappointed for him, but none the less if its only four weeks we’ll live to fight another day.”



One Wyoming native who returned to practice this week was graduate offensive tackle Frank Crum. The Laramie native who has started 36 of 43 career games he’s played over the past four seasons will anchor Wyoming’s offensive line in 2023. Crum earned Third Team All-Mountain West honors last season from Pro Football Focus (PFF) and was a Fourth Team selection by Phil Steele.



“Frank (Crum) was out there practicing today. He had a limited role, but he practiced today,” said Bohl. “His leadership role will be significant. He’s a sixth-year guy who has played a lot of football for us. He’s smart. He’s not complacent. He’s trying to be one of these guys to find an extra two percent that we’ve been talking about. He’s a joy to coach. Before he got his neck and head injury, he was really playing at a high, high level. We’re working to get him back slowly. A lot of six-year guys would do everything they could to not go through spring football and he’s breathing down everybody’s neck to get out there.”



Improving Tackling

Bohl has spoken this spring about efforts that he and his staff have made to improve their team’s tackling. Wyoming has consistently been one of the best defenses in the Mountain West and the country during Bohl’s previous nine seasons, but he has said that the number of missed tackles last season were not acceptable.



“That (missed tackles) was a common theme last year -- the things we talked about, yards after contact with skill players breaking tackles, our defensive guys not tackling well and not bringing guys to the ground,” said Bohl. “We’ve done more live tackling this spring. If we’re going to improve we’ve got to work on that (tackling). There are all kinds of drills, but the best dog-gone thing I know is go out and tackle and so we’re doing that.”

I read Cody's latest story about his interview with Bohl about the upcoming scrimmage.

It is not Cody's fault, he is interviewing a guy who really says very little, but his article should be entitled, "The Big Yawn" instead of "Who Can Make a Play", or how the end of spring is a big nothing burger!

It was basically about who (Driskill) is injured at the FB position and who (Kimball Madsen, who didn't play last year) might be counted on and who (Schoenfeld) had a poor last scrimmage. We had the annual comment of how the TE position is going to be a real asset. We also had a short comment about the DE position and it is good to have Harsh back from his injury. There you go guys and gals, a whole spring and that is it leading up to the spring scrimmage.

From Wyoming History Groups, a story of Freshman on the 55 Cowboys team that won The Sun Bowl under Phil Dickens. Good read

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My dearly beloved was in the Spokane airport today just in time to see Ike being greeted and picked up by Gonzaga coaches.

That said, with all that Linder and UW did to accommodate that young man from taking a gamble on him given his injury his senior year of HS, to making him a center piece in the UW offense, to extensive resources and time spent on him in another rehab this past season and finally declaring his entry into the portal the same day or closely thereafter of Linder burying his father, it won‘t hurt my feelings at all to see him not succeed at his next stop. Say what you want about NIL yadi - yadi - ya, but his sense that he‘s entitled to better - after all that Linder and UW did for him just chaps my rear end. He, far more than anyone that left, leaves me as raw as a saddled horse with no pad. I have no doubt that had I been in the Spokane airport today, Gonzaga coaches or not, I’d have told him exactly what I’m saying in this post. And all of this just when I thought I was over it.

Wonder what happened Haha!! Where will he end up?

TOP 25

Linder has landed two of the top twenty-five small college players in the country according to the Small College Bevo Francis Watch List. Of all the eligible players in D2, D3 and NAIA, both Mason and Kot are coming to Laradise. These two have each played a lot of ball and I’m presuming will be starters. Hopefully some of the other newcomers will ride the pine in supportive rolls and not scatter when the first snowballs hit them in the ass and become portal entries next year.

Go Pokes

Saw coach Linder and the staff at Altitude Chophouse tonight with what looked like a recruit and his parents.

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Hope it’s the 6’9 kid. Or could be the guard that just visited from D2 school