A trio of players for the University of Wyoming Football program announced their intention to transfer via Twitter on Tuesday, June 11. Reow Jackson, Ja’Lani Ellison and De’Vaughn Brown have entered the NCAA transfer portal.
Jackson suffered an Achilles tear in Fall camp a year ago.
The transfer of Jackson in particular who was expected to provide depth at the running back position stands out leaving just two scholarship running backs left on the Cowboy roster who have taken collegiate carries. Xazavian Valladay (6’ 0” 191 lbs) was second on the team in rushing yards last season with 396 on just 71 carries for a robust 5.6 yard average.
Returning sophomore quarterback Sean Chambers rushed for 329 yards on 59 carries before suffering a broken leg late in the 2018 season. Chambers has been named the starting quarterback coming out of Spring drills.
The backfield was already going to be looking to replace Mountain West Conference leading rusher, Nico Evans who made the most out of his final season in Laramie to rush for 1,325 yards and eight touchdowns.
Junior Jeff Burroughs (6’ 1” 233 lbs) out of Southeast High School in Yoder, Wyoming was listed as the #2 running back coming out of Spring Football.
Jevon Bigelow carried the ball 69 times for 292 yards but announced his withdrawal from UW due to “personal reasons” earlier in the Spring. Former Jackson Hole High School running back, Theo Dawson, also announced his transfer earlier in the offseason.
The other scholarship running back is Louisville senior transfer Trey Smith, son of former NFL great, Jimmy Smith. The 6’ 0” 218 pound running back finished with 263 yards on 50 carries for the Cardinals last season and caught ten passes for 74 yards.
Skyler Miller (5’ 11” 226 lbs) out of Torrington High School and Jaylon Watson (6’ 0” 241lbs) out of Broken Bow, Oklahoma are listed as fullbacks on the Spring Football depth chart.
