Welcome to Wyoming Football: Ishmael Muhammad

LARAMIE -- Wyoming, once again, has welcomed nearly 50 new faces to the roster this offseason.

Transfer portal era, am I right?

Get our free mobile app

Jay Sawvel again made a list of 10 "keepers" last December, heading into free agency. Running back Samuel "Tote" Harris was, no doubt, high on that list. So were defensive tackles Dante Drake and Jayden Williams. The Cowboys' third-year head coach also wanted to hang on to players like tight end Jake Wilson, wideout Deion DeBlanc, nickel corner Desman Hearns and offensive tackles Rex Johnsen and Braylon Jenkins, among others.

Mission accomplished. All are back for another round on the high plains.

The team did lose its top-four outside targets, including leading receiver Chris Durr Jr., who is now at Maryland. Two impact cornerbacks also hit the open market. Tyrese Boss is at Arizona. Markie Grant headed west to former conference rival Utah State.

Wyoming will also have a new quarterback under center, snagging William and Mary graduate transfer Tyler Hughes, who has one season of eligibility remaining. The hope is he'll right the ship at that spot, keeping the seat warm for Gillette's Mason Drube.

The Cowboys also reloaded in the offensive backfield and at the line of scrimmage, adding 1,000-yard rusher Markell Holman and interior linemen Chandler Donaway, Jason Maciejcak and Jeremiah Katt.

You'll read all about those guys, along with 20-plus freshmen, in this summer series: Welcome to Wyoming football.

NAME | Ishmael Muhammad

YEAR | Freshman

HT/WT | 6' 3", 210

HOMETOWN | Dallas, Texas

POSITION | Tight end

JERSEY NUMBER | N/A

PREVIOUS SCHOOL | Bishop Lynch High School

YEARS OF ELIGIBILITY | Four

NOTABLE | When it comes to private school football players in Texas, none were better than Ishmael Muhammad, according to TXPS. Pitt thought he was good enough to sign. So did North Texas and Utah State. Muhammad caught nearly 100 balls during his career at Bishop Lynch High School, rolling up more than 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. The three-star recruit added 455 of those yards last season.

QUOTABLE | "He is just a super athletic kid. He was super hot on our board early in the '26 class, and we're very excited to have him. He's going to help us in the pass game immensely. Then this year, our challenge was, 'hey, in the run game, let's see what you can do.' He took that challenge and ran with it, whether it's in-line (blocking) or extended, I mean, he did a great job. So, he's going to be a well-rounded tight end for us," -- Wyoming Director of Player Personnel Austin Maus on incoming tight end Ishmael Muhammad.

WELCOME TO WYOMING SUMMER SERIES:

* LB - Anthony Beavers Jr.

* S - Jett Vincent

* WR - Justin Popovich

* QB - Tyler Hughes

* CB - Junus McGraw

* RB - Markell Holman

* CB - Logan Mackey

* S - Travis Franklin Jr.

* WR - Jayden Williams

* LB - Karson Butts

* S - Da'Marion Brownlee