Wyoming’s Rebuild of Cornerback Room Taking Shape

LARAMIE -- Wyoming needs a quick fix on the backend of its defense after losing its top three cornerbacks this offseason.

This staff is hoping Logan Mackey is the first key piece to the puzzle.

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound junior Tuesday committed to Wyoming, signing on the dotted line after spending a better part of the weekend in Laramie. The Weber State transfer said it felt like home almost immediately.

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Why Wyoming?

"The belief that I have in this coaching staff and this program to develop me more as a football player but also a man off the field," he said. "Also, the fans Wyoming has."

A nudge from former defensive end and Weber State teammate Brayden "Larry" Wilson didn't hurt, either.

Mackey, who appeared in all 12 games for the Wildcats last fall, tallying 16 tackles and eight pass breakups, has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

He will be expected to step in for Tyrese Boss and Markie Grant, who both hit the open market at the beginning of the month. They have since signed with Arizona and Utah State, respectively. Dainsus Miller, who started for the Cowboys across from Boss, exhausted his eligibility after one year at Wyoming after transferring from Mercer.

Mackey was the 20th-ranked corner in the FCS last season with an overall score of 86.1, according to Pro Football Focus. He tacked on 5.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a sack, which came against eventual national champion Montana State.

Boss capped 2025 with an overall PFF grade of 62.9. Grant, 64.3.

The Houston native, who had offers out of C.E. King High School from the likes of Houston Christian, Southeastern Louisiana and Stephen F. Austin, along with Army of the FBS, lined up at both cornerback and nickel during his three-year stint in Logan. He appeared in 26 games out of the Wildcats' secondary.

Will that production translate at this level?

"It's always been a dream for me to play FBS-level football," Mackey said. "I now have the chance to go out there and prove it everyday on the field and make an impact."

The three-star transfer appealed to the Wyoming staff because of his physicality and athleticism, according to a source familiar with Mackey's recruitment.

Wyoming added another transfer cornerback this week, signing Junus McGraw, who spent the previous two seasons at West Liberty University, a Division-II program in West Virginia. The Alaska native, who spent his prep career in Idaho and Florida, racked up 51 tackles last fall, including three for loss. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound redshirt sophomore also picked off a pass, broke up five others and scooped up a fumble recovery.

"Thank you for all the opportunities I have been provided with," McGraw posted on X. "After lots of thought, I decided I will be taking my talents to Wyoming."

He was also courted by Buffalo, James Madison, North Alabama, Georgia State and East Texas A&M University.

Tyson Shamsid-Deen is expected to make a push this offseason for a starting spot. He was on the field for 28 defensive snaps as a true freshman. The San Antonio product also lined up at wide receiver late in the season. Ian Bell also returns to the room. So does BJ Inmon. Jay Sawvel and Co. also inked incoming freshmen Kanye Anderson (Lewisville, Texas) and Kendall Griffin (Chicago). The latter will be an early enrollee and take part in spring practice.

Griffin will be joined next week on campus by four other rookies: safety Therman "Boogie" Williams (Riverside, Calif.), wideout Jayden Williams (Las Vegas), defensive tackle Tanielu Maafala-Barbasa (Las Vegas) and offensive lineman Grant Lott (St. Peter's, Mo.).

Spring practice will begin March 24 and the annual game inside War Memorial Stadium is scheduled for April 25.