Craig Bohl talks cornerbacks, quarterbacks, running backs and defensive ends

Following Second Spring Practice on Thursday
 
Laramie, Wyo. (March 31, 2022) -- Day Two of Spring Football for the Wyoming Cowboys saw the Pokes get some work outside in War Memorial Stadium, as well as in the Indoor Practice Facility on Thursday afternoon.  The Cowboys were once again in helmets and shorts prior to donning full pads for the first time this coming Saturday.
 
Following Thursday’s practice, head coach Craig Bohl met with the media.  He began the post-practice media session talking about the cornerback position, where Wyoming is looking to find two new corners.
 
“We had a spirited practice today.  Maybe not as clean as to my liking, but that is part of Spring Football,” said Bohl.  “I think we are making some real progress with the two corners who came in (this offseason) -- both Jakorey (Hawkins) and Deron (Harrell).  In a short amount of time, they have grasped our concepts.  Some of that has to do with the places they came from and some of the similarities in the programs they played in before.  But we’re pleased with their progress.  It’s going to be important that they continue to make improvements.”
 
Harrell transferred to Wyoming from the University of Wisconsin where he played in 22 career games and started nine.  The native of Denver, Colo., has one year of eligibility remaining.  He was a three-year letterwinner for the Badgers.  Hawkins came to Wyoming from Ole Miss with two years of remaining eligibility.  He played in 26 career games and started six during his time with the Rebels, and was also a three-year letterwinner for the SEC school.
 
When asked about some of the other young corners in have been members of the Wyoming program prior to this year, such as Cam Stone and Zaire Jackson, Bohl said, “Competition is the best thing I know to motivate a football team.  Competition brings out the best in guys, and there is good competition at the cornerback spot including the guys who have been here.  Cam has shown some good things and went in and played well when he played last year.  Certainly his experience helps.  Both Deron and Jakorey have played in either the Big Ten (Deron Harrell at Wisconsin) or the SEC (Jakorey Hawkins at Ole Miss), so they have played meaningful reps, as well.  Zaire is going to be a nickel for us, but there are similarities in the positions.”
 
Of course another position that is seeing a lot of competition this spring is quarterback.  Wyoming has two transfer quarterbacks inAndrew Peasley, a junior who came from Utah State, and Evan Svoboda, a sophomore transfer from Snow Junior College.  UW also has three returning QBs competing this spring in redshirt freshmen Hank Gibbs and Gavin Beerup and redshirt sophomore Jayden Clemons.
 
Bohl was asked if he had a timeline for when he hoped to name a starting quarterback.  The head coach responded by saying,” I doubt whether I’m going to release a depth chart at the end of spring, and that is just the makeup of this team this year.  This a fun team to coach simply because there are a lot of unknowns and so that is probably going to carry into fall camp.  We’ll slot some guys in order to give some guys some different reps, but unless something clearly emerges to where I know within a shadow of a doubt that this is our guy at some spot we’re going to have competition throughout and I think that is going to be healthy with us.
 
“I thought our quarterbacks were maybe a little bit more decisive today, but the accuracy was not where it needed to be.”
 
Asked if the two transfer quarterbacks (Peasley and Svoboda) were the leading candidates at quarterback, Bohl was quick to mention that he had seen some good things from several of his QBs.
 
“Hank Gibbs has done some really good things.  Jayden (Clemons) has done some good things, as well,” said Bohl.  “I would say that Andrew (Peasley) is more polished than Evan (Svoboda).  Evan has got a ton of ability, but it’s pretty raw right now.  Some things fundamentally like his footwork is not great on some of his errant throws.  But the want to is there.
 
“And then the other thing is just processing our (offensive) calls -- we run a pro-style system, so our verbage can be somewhat challenging for some quarterbacks when they first come into our program.  I think Andrew is a pretty bright guy and has caught on faster than what I may have originally thought he would. 
 
“Evan has a great want to.  He loves being at Wyoming.  He’s going to be a developmental guy, but Josh (Allen) was somewhat of a developmental guy also.  We think there is a big upside (with Evan), which is why we offered him.”
 
One position where the Cowboys do have some experience is at running back, with the return of junior Titus Swen.  Bohl is excited about Swen and the running back group overall.
 
“We’re really pleased with Titus (Swen).  Titus had a very productive year last year,” said Bohl.  “We’ve got a lot of depth, which we’re going to need at that spot.  Of all the guys, Titus is certainly the most experienced, but Dawaiian (McNeely) did some good things when he was in there.  Unfortunately, he’s not able to play right now.  He’s coming back from some scar tissue in his hip that we sent him back to a doctor in Philadelphia to get cleaned up.  Hopefully, we’ll have him back at the end of spring.  Right now, it’s a good group.”
 
Finally, Bohl was asked with only two practices completed in spring ball what had impressed him the most so far?
 
“I would say probably the speed and quickness of our young defensive ends,” said Bohl.  “I don’t know if they can really get anchored in there and play a six technique and root out a guy, but they can sure move, so that is probably been the thing that has impressed me the most.”
 
Bohl reported one injury from Thursday’s practice.  Sophomore fullback Caleb Driskill from Gillette, Wyo., suffered what Bohl described as a pulled hamstring that might be a couple week injury.  Bohl also updated media on an injury he originally reported on Tuesday to freshman TJ Urban from Omaha, Neb.  Urban’s injury was confirmed as a torn ACL and he will have to undergo surgery.
 
The next practice for the Cowboys will be on Saturday. 
 
2022 University of Wyoming Football Spring Practice Schedule
 
Tuesday, March 29             3:50 p.m. Stretch, 6:20 Approximate End Time, Media Interviews After Practice in HAPC Team Room
Thursday, March 31            3:50 p.m. Stretch, 6:20 Approximate End Time, Media Interviews After Practice n HAPC Team Room
Saturday, April 2                11:30 a.m., Stretch, No Media Interviews on Saturdays
 
Tuesday, April 5                 Late afternoon (Practice #4)
Thursday, April 7                Late afternoon (Practice #5)
Saturday, April 9               TBA (Practice #6)
 
Tuesday, April 12               Late afternoon (Practice #7)
Thursday, April 14              Late afternoon (Practice #8)
Saturday, April 16              TBA (Practice #9)
 
Tuesday, April 19               Late afternoon (Practice #10)
Thursday, April 21              Late afternoon (Practice #11)
Saturday, April 23              TBA (Practice #12)
 
Tuesday, April 26               Late afternoon (Practice #13)
Thursday, April 28              Late afternoon (Practice #14)
Saturday, April 30              2:00 p.m. (Spring Game, War Memorial Stadium, Open to the Public, Practice #15)
 
The Spring Game on Saturday, April 30 will be open to the public.  All other practices are closed.