LAS VEGAS, Nev., -- Craig Bohl pointed to two players who could see playing time during their freshman season last fall -- running back DQ James and wide receiver Jaylen Sargent.

That didn't happen.

In fact, only one redshirt was burned. That belonged to Tommy Wroblewski, a strong safety prospect who was forced into snapping duties when Read Sunn was lost for the season with an injury during fall camp.

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At Mountain West Media Days Wednesday in Las Vegas, Bohl listed off three players who could see the field during their first season in Laramie. And like Wroblewski, he said that could be because of necessity.

That trio is Malique Singleton, Caleb Merritt and Koa McIntyre.

"Those are all skill guys that we'll take a look at, early," Bohl said. "Typically a skill guy has an opportunity to play a little bit earlier than an offensive lineman or a defensive lineman."

 

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Singleton, a 6-foot, 170-pound defensive back, was rated the No. 16 recruit out of the state of Colorado by 247sports.com. The Grandview High School product tallied 100 tackles -- 41 of the solo variety -- and picked off six passes during his senior year. He also blocked a field goal, scooped up a fumble and was credited with four pass breakups. Bohl said he is slated to compete at the nickel back spot behind projected starter Keonte Glinton.

Singleton was also recruited by Wyoming's Border War rival, Colorado State.

Merritt is a slot receiver from John Burroughs High School in St. Louis. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound speedster received offers from Power-5 programs Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State and Purdue after hauling in 36 passes for 536 yards and seven touchdowns. The three-star recruit also finished with 230 rushing yards on 24 attempts.

That's not all.

Merritt took two kick returns to the house last fall, one from 87 yards out, the other from 85.

With the departures of Rome Weber and Esaias Gandy in the secondary, Bohl said McIntyre could be a guy who could see time at the safety spot in 2022. The 6-foot, 190-pound freshman from Fremont, Neb., was named to the 2021 Omaha World-Herald First Team All-Nebraska Football squad as a defensive back.

As a senior, McIntyre was credited with 23 solo tackles, five interceptions and a tackle for loss. On the offensive side of the ball, McIntyre was a true dual threat, accounting for 3,392 yards of total offense -- 2,131 passing, 1,261 rushing. McIntyre was responsible for 50 touchdowns last season, 34 of which came through the air.

"We have some guys here that have shown physical ability and then the emotional maturity," Bohl said.

You might be asking yourself -- what about DeShawn Woods?

Just the second four-star recruit in program history, Bohl smiled when asked about the former Mizzou commit who fielded offers from the who's who of college football such as LSU, Florida, Texas A&M, Penn State and a host of other Power-5 programs.

"He's going to be redshirted," Bohl said of the 6-foot-5, 285-pound offensive tackle from Omaha Central High School.. "He's good to go. So, you're going to have a guy that treaded the water and he's here."

Rumors have been floated that Woods was not in good academic standings when Mizzou decided to cut ties. Bohl squashed that on signing day.

Woods was the No. 2-ranked player in the entire state of Nebraska and the 12th-best offensive lineman in the nation, according to 247sports.com.

University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players

During the summer of 2021, 7220Sports.com counted down the Top 50 football players in University of Wyoming history, presented by Premier Bone & Joint Centers, Worthy of Wyoming.

The rules are simple: What was the player's impact while in Laramie? That means NFL stats, draft status or any other accolade earned outside of UW is irrelevant when it comes to this list.

This isn't a one-man job. This task called for a panel of experts. Joining 7220's Cody Tucker are Robert GagliardiJared NewlandRyan Thorburn, and Kevin McKinney.

We all compiled our own list of 50 and let computer averages do the work. Think BCS -- only we hope this catalog is fairer.

Don't agree with a selection? Feel free to sound off on our Twitter: @7220sports - #Top50UWFB

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players

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