Cowboy Football Players Get NFL Rookie Mini Camp Invites
John Durgee (UW AthMarketing)
Trio of Cowboys will showcase skills for NFL teams
LARAMIE, Wyo. (April 23, 2025) – Cowboy football had a trio of former players accept Rookie Minicamps invites follow the NFL Draft this past weekend. Safety Wyett Ekeler kicker John Hoyland and linebacker Connor Shay will each compete in a pair of upcoming camps.
Ekeler will attend minicamps with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Denver Broncos. Ekeler finished his career with 197 total tackles in 48 career games. He missed time in 2024 with broken thumbs and at one time played in a cast on both hands. He finished his final season with 46 tackles with a tackle for loss and an interception. He recorded 77 tackles as a junior along with a pair of interceptions. He was named the MW Player of the Week after recording two sacks against New Mexico that season. He also finished his career forcing three fumbles.
Hoyland will attend camps for the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos. He earned Honorable Mention All-MW honors for UW. It was the third time in his career that he earned All-MW honors. He finished the season 15-of-19 in field goals and was 14-of-15 for 93 percent inside 50 yards and was perfect 7-of-7 inside 40 yards. He had a season-long field goals of 54 yards against Boise State and one of 49-yards at Colorado State. He was named the MW Special Team Player of the Week following Washington State, a contest that saw him go 3-for-3. He finished his career at Wyoming with a school-record 73 made field goals to rank third in MW history. He also set a school record with 366 career points.
Shay will attend camp with the Green Bay Packers and the New York Jets. Shay appeared in 49 career games for the Cowboys He finished his career with 97 total tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sack. He had a career year in 2024 with 76 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss and added 1.5 sacks. He recorded a career-high 12 tackles against Colorado State in 2024 and added 1.5 sacks in his final collegiate game against Washington State.