How do Wyoming Players Feel About Teammates Entering Portal?

LARAMIE -- Justin Taylor says he wants to hang banners and hoist trophies.

Playing is pretty high in his priority list, too.

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The sophomore safety entered the NCAA Transfer Portal after spending two seasons at the University of Wisconsin. He redshirted during his first year in Madison. The 6-foot, 200-pound free safety appeared in just two games last fall.

Taylor said he wasn't in search of an NIL pay day when he entered college football's version of free agency last December. He just wanted an opportunity to get on the field and make an impact.

He found that in Laramie.

"I understand people want all these materialistic things and all this money, but for me, ball is everything," the Chicago product said on Wednesday. "Honestly, like I told (Wyoming head coach Jay Sawvel), I'm not here for any money, I'm here to play ball, I'm here to develop relationships with the guys and I'm here to win.

"That's the only motive and objective is to win. I want to have fun and get Wyoming back to where it needs to be."

Starting cornerback Keany Parks abruptly left the program Wednesday and hit the open market with a "no contact tag." Why would he not want coaches from around the country to reach out to him? He has already found his landing spot at the University of Houston, according to two sources familiar with the situation.

Parks is the seventh player to leave the program this spring, joining edge rushers Sabastian Harsh and Dawan Martin, along with running back Harrison Waylee, nickel Wrook Brown, cornerback Charles Williams and quarterback Deyon Batiste.

Wyoming has now lost a total of 20 players to the portal.

Sawvel and Co. have also brought in 17 new faces this offseason. That number is expected to increase soon with the addition of a punter, running back, wideout, a defensive end and now at least a pair of corners. The head coach is also keeping his eye out for a "best available."

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While Taylor was simply looking for a chance, others have different motivations.

Does it irk current players on this Wyoming roster when teammates hit the dusty trail?

"I can never really understand or speak on other people's situations, because everybody's shoes are different," Taylor said. "You know, what fits them is what fits them. What's best for them is what's best for them. So, I would never be the person to judge.

"... It is what it is, I can't really control it. I just focus on the guys who are here. The guys that are here, I know that they're invested and that they want that main goal to be accomplished."

Tyler Hampton, a senior tight end, sent out hundreds of emails as his time at Huntington Beach High School came to an end. Sound familiar? The three-star wideout, just like former UW quarterback Josh Allen, received only Division-II, NAIA and junior college offers after a standout prep career in California.

Santa Ana College was his first stop before moving on to Golden West. Again, he shared film with nearly every coach -- head and assistant -- at the FBS level.

Wyoming answered.

Does he get upset when players bolt?

"It's a little frustrating because I feel like in my shoes, I've always kind of been working really hard to get to where I am," Hampton added. "Getting the one opportunity to be here just makes me really appreciate where I'm at right now and for the coaches giving me this opportunity. So, I feel like a lot of people are jumping back and forth, but I still got love for those guys. They're still my brothers."

Nico Hamilton has been a featured running back throughout spring camp.

An injury to Sam Scott, coupled with the departures of Jamari Ferrell, Dawaiian McNeely and Waylee has aided in that.

The redshirt freshman appeared in just one game last season. He was on the field against Utah State for a single snap. Though he rushed for nearly 3,400 yards and 29 touchdowns during his career at Lake Travis High School in Austin, he wasn't sought after by the hometown Longhorns or the Aggies, the Red Raiders, the Bears or Horned Frogs.

Air Force came calling. So did a host of Ivy League schools. He eventually signed with the Cowboys in February of 2024.

When it comes to the portal, Hamilton said he holds no ill will. It's a personal decision.

"I think this is just how it goes, man. I think that's just how football is nowadays. There aint no reason to get mad at it," he continued. "It's just business at this point. I wouldn't say there's a reason to be mad. If they feel like that's what's best for them then that's what they should do."

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players