Wyoming

DJ Jones Feeling Right at Home in Wyoming's Loaded Backfield

Published

2 years ago

May 1, 2024

DJ Jones Feeling Right at Home in Wyoming's Loaded Backfield

LARAMIE — There wasn’t necessarily a need at the running back position, but DJ Jones was just too tempting to pass up.

Jay Sawvel said as much after last Thursday’s annual spring game inside War Memorial Stadium just moments after the North Carolina transfer accounted for 112 yards of total offense — 77 on the ground on a dozen carries and 35 via the pass — and a rushing touchdown in a 17-10 victory for the Brown team.

Not too shabby for a guy who played the safety position in Chapel Hill last fall.

“I had no idea DJ Jones was going to be who he was until after he was here about three weeks,” Wyoming’s rookie head coach said of the graduate transfer. “Then, all of a sudden, you realize this guy’s uber competitive and really mature. We gave him a lot more runs at running back today because we need to see him. He needed to play live, he needed to hit holes and he needed to make cuts … He does it pretty well, I thought so. I’m a big fan of him.”

MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:

* PODCAST: Putting a bow on spring football in Laramie

* Four Cowboys earn NFL mini-camp invites

* Jay Sawvel in search of depth on the O-line, at corner

* Tuck’s Take: Chris Durr Jr. could become a Mountain West pest

* Wyoming’s DeVonne Harris is quirky, but far from complacent

* Boddie eager to make plays in Pokes’ new-look offense

* Jayden Williams is Bringing ‘Controlled Chaos’ to Pokes’ Front Four

So was Mack Brown, who recruited the former three-star prospect out of Fayetteville, N.C. Jones chose the Tar Heels, passing up offers from the likes of Michigan, Missouri, Vanderbilt, Virginia and Wake Forest.

Though injuries limited him during his first three collegiate seasons, the 5-foot-11, 200-pound speedster still managed to rush for 442 yards and find the end zone twice on just 97 attempts. That’s an average of nearly five yards per carry.

A loaded backfield forced Jones into the secondary during his final season at UNC. He accepted the role. He responded with 15 tackles in six games.

His desire to carry the ball, though, never left.

“It boosts my confidence a little bit,” Jones said with a smile following his spring game performance. “I felt good, especially having gone through a lot of situations like full live (practices), scrimmages and stuff, but today was a good day. It just built my confidence up a little bit more.”

How did Jones get to Laramie?

The story is quite simple.

Former defensive tackles coach Oscar Giles played and coached with Brown at the University of Texas. Before he accepted the same position at Houston this offseason, Giles put in a call to his old boss. He was inquiring about another running back who recently entered the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Brown instead urged Wyoming’s staff to take a look at his safety instead.

The rest is history.

“Honestly, moving out here and coming to Wyoming was probably one of the best decisions I’ve made,” Jones said. “I feel like this is just going to help me grow as a person more than a football player. So, I think it was a great move for me.”

In two open scrimmages and the spring game, Jones has shown speed, elusiveness and even some power, refusing to step out of bounds with a defender bearing down on him. He welcomed the contact. He did so again early in the second quarter last Thursday in Laramie, carrying a handful of teammates into the end zone from seven yards out.

On his longest jaunt of the day — a 13-yard scamper — Jones followed his blockers around the right edge, showing patience and quick feet. He may have even been caught off guard by the convoy leading the way. One cut back toward the middle of the field and it could’ve been a foot race to the paint.

Remember, this is practice. Remember, this guy hasn’t carried the ball of late.

“That’s a good player to go up against,” said linebacker Evan Eller, a fellow graduate transfer. “You know, one-on-one’s when the linebackers and running backs are going up against (one another), going up against him and just meeting him in the hole, he’s got quick feet and he’s a patient guy. So, that’s always good, getting everybody in the linebacker room better, for sure.”

MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:

* What have the Cowboys so far lost to the transfer portal?

* Wyoming defensive tackle injured Thursday, likely to miss season

* Wyoming’s Kaden Anderson proving to be worth the wait

* Mental, physical hurdles no longer hampering Sabastian Harsh

* Wyoming QB Carson May to Enter NCAA Transfer Portal

* 5 Takeaways From Wyoming’s Open Spring Scrimmage

* Svoboda, Gyllenborg: ‘We’re blessed that they are here’

Sawvel often speaks about his admiration for the players on this roster. He says some guys — most guys — make it fun to come to work in the morning. He raves about their work ethic and attitudes.

It goes even further with Jones.

“I’m really, really happy that he’s here,” he said. “You know, like I said the other day, I tell him that every day.”

It’s true.

“Sawvel is a great dude,” Jones added with a grin. “He does tell me that. He’s not lying about that. He makes sure I know that.”

There’s a good reason for that.

Dare call him an offseason acquisition, Sawvel joked, Jones has proven to be a workhorse since arriving on campus, whether that’s during a sprinting session, team workouts or a mundane mid-week practice.

The running back room already includes presumed starter Harrison Waylee, who is coming off a near 1,000-yard campaign despite missing three full games because of injury. Dawaiian McNeely, who chewed up nearly 400 yards on the ground the year prior, missed all of last season with a torn ACL.

Jamari Ferrell, you might recall, was the lone back on the opening play against Texas Tech last September. Sam Scott also saw time in the Cowboys’ backfield, rushing for 237 yards and a pair of scores.

Those guys are all back in the mix. Jones, Sawvel says, makes this group even more special.

“He’s just a good football player,” the head coach added. “To be playing in the ACC and playing running back and doing things and then to get moved over and have starts as a defensive back, that just shows you he’s a pretty well-rounded football player. I think he’s happy, he wants to be a running back and he wants that transition. He wants that position. Like I said, he looks good.”

That’s not all Jones wants.

“I’m here to play for the state, I’m here to help us win and to get to where we want to be, in the championship,” he said. “Sawvel told us not to say that word anymore, but I’m trying to help lead this team and help get us to where we want to be — get back on top of the Mountain West.”

University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players

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 Gagliardi, Jared Newland, Ryan 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

Gallery Credit: 7220Sports.com

– University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players

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Wyoming

Wyoming Supreme Court upholds 125- to 175-year conviction for Steven Marler after child sexual abuse trial in 2025

Published

4 hours ago

July 17, 2026

Press Room

Wyoming Supreme Court upholds 125- to 175-year conviction for Steven Marler after child sexual abuse trial in 2025

CASPER, Wyo. — The Wyoming Supreme Court has upheld the 2025 conviction of Steven Randall Marler, 52, who was sentenced to 125 to 175 years in prison on eight felony counts of sexually abusing two girls under his foster or adoptive care at his home on Casper Mountain. Marler was also convicted of five misdemeanor batteries and a count of child endangerment. He was found not guilty of sexual abusing another two other minors in the family, including the one who had first brought forward allegations in 2016.

The Supreme Court opinion noted that discrepancies in her testimony from previous statements were revealed at trial.

The appeal claimed that the Natrona County court where the trial was held improperly admitted testimony about physical abuse and Marler’s insistence that the children give him massages, which they said he referred to as a “daddy tax.”

The massages did not result in charges, and Wyoming courts are strict in disallowing evidence of “prior bad acts” for uncharged conduct that might color the opinion of the jury about whether the defendant is guilty of the actual charges.

The opinion released Friday and written by Justice Robert C. Jarosh noted that the Natrona Court, under Judge Kerri Johnson, had multiple hearings before the trial about whether the state should be allowed to introduce that evidence. It can only do so under specific circumstances, such as establishing a course of conduct relevant to “grooming behavior” and illustrating the power Marler held over the children and his ability and motivation in carrying out the abuse.

“The “daddy tax” massage evidence demonstrated a predictable, recurring pattern of behavior that directly illuminated Mr. Marler’s motive and systematic course of conduct,” the opinion reads. “The “daddy tax” massage evidence demonstrated a clear behavioral pattern and provided relevant context about how Mr. Marler targeted and groomed the children by exploiting his parental role and initiating abuse through seemingly innocent touching — all as a means to gratify his sexual desires.”

The opinion also noted that the jury had been properly instructed not to infer guilt based on the testimony about uncharged behavior they might find off-putting.

The appeal attorneys also argued that evidence of punishment in the form of spanking, exercise and withholding food was not relevant to the charged crimes and unfairly prejudicial to Marler.

“However, we agree with the district court this evidence was relevant to show Mr. Marler’s intent and motive to gain submission by the victims,” Friday’s opinion said.

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Wyoming

NWSR issues Flood Watch advisory for portions of Central, Northwest Wyoming

Published

16 hours ago

July 17, 2026

Press Room

NWSR issues Flood Watch advisory for portions of Central, Northwest Wyoming

The National Weather Service in Riverton has issued a Flood Watch advisory for portions of central and northwest Wyoming, including Owl Creek, the Bridger Mountains, the Southwest Bighorn Basin, the Absaroka Mountains, and the Cody Foothills. This includes the cities of Cody, Thermopolis, Meeteetse, and Clark, and many areas near or partially in Fremont County. […]

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Wyoming

Wyoming Rodeo Stars Set for National High School Finals

Published

1 day ago

July 16, 2026

Press Room

Wyoming Rodeo Stars Set for National High School Finals

The 78th National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) starts on Sunday, July 19, in Lincoln, Nebraska, and goes through Saturday, July 25, 2026. There are 12 rodeo performances across the seven days, with six in the first round and six in the second round. The top 20 cowboys and cowgirls return to the championship short round at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 25. Wyoming has 51 contestants competing across the 13 rodeo events, plus light rifle and trap shooting.

WYOMING RODEO ATHLETES OPEN COMPETITION AT NHSFR

Yoder’s Hadley Thompson was the All-Around Cowgirl at the 2025 NHSFR. She won national titles in the breakaway roping and goat last year in Rock Springs. Wyoming finished 11th in the team standings last year with 3,750.00 team points. The Cowboy State’s girls placed sixth, and the boys were 25th. Thompson also had the AQHA Horse of the Year for Cowgirls in CD Smokin Miss Kitty. Emeree Tavegie was sixth in pole bending.

The daily rodeo performances are at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. The first go ends after Wednesday morning’s performance, while the second go ends after Saturday morning’s performance.

Wyoming State High School Finals Rodeo Results & NHSFR Qualifiers 2026

Wyoming’s contestants and events with their draw

Ryley Alameda – Reined Cow Horse (Mon AM, Thurs PM)

Wade Asay – Reined Cow Horse (Tues PM, Wed AM)

Claire Bilek – Girls Cutting (Mon AM, Fri PM)

Kolton Bonenberger – Bull Riding (Mon PM, Fri AM)

Jace Bowles – Team Roping (Mon AM, Fri PM)

Cooper Brownlee – Shooting Rifle and Shooting Trap

Blue Butler – Breakaway Roping (Mon AM, Fri PM); Goat Tying (Wed AM, Wed PM)

Kolbe Chant – Tie-Down Roping (Sun PM, Sat AM)

Heston Crozier – Shooting Trap

Blake Cushman – Pole Bending (Sun PM, Sat AM)

Karly Davis – Barrel Racing (Tues AM, Thurs PM)

Teague Duncan – Saddle Bronc (Tues PM, Thurs AM)

Memphis Erdman – Shooting Rifle

Hays Espenscheid – Team Roping (Tues AM, Thurs PM)

Kendrie Ewing – Barrel Racing (Wed AM, Wed PM)

Ellie Feathers – Shooting Rifle

Kashley Fornstrom – Barrel Racing (Tues PM, Thurs AM)

Kade Fraley – Saddle Bronc (Mon PM, Fri AM)

Landon Gold – Team Roping (Sun PM, Sat AM); Steer Wrestling (Wed AM, Wed PM)

Teague Goodman – Steer Wrestling (Tues AM, Thurs PM)

Tanner Griemsman – Team Roping (Tues AM, Thurs PM)

Cody Hayden – Boys Cutting (Mon AM, Fri PM)

Rhame Hicks – Goat Tying (Sun PM, Sat AM)

Stone Hooten – Shooting Trap

Coe Hornbuckle – Barrel Racing (Wed AM, Wed PM)

Carter Hutchison – Steer Wrestling (Tues PM, Thurs AM); Tie-Down Roping (Sun PM, Sat AM); Reined Cow Horse (Mon AM, Thurs AM)

Kress Johnson – Team Roping (Mon AM, Fri PM)

Taylor Kimzey – Shooting Rifle

Emma Martin – Pole Bending (Mon PM, Fri AM)

Bella Martinson – Breakaway Roping (Mon PM, Fri AM)

Anna McQueeney – Girls Cutting (Sun PM, Sat AM)

Raden Miller – Steer Wrestling (Mon AM, Fri PM)

Taten Mills – Team Roping (Mon PM, Fri AM)

Owen Monfeldt – Bull Riding (Tues AM, Thurs PM)

Ashtyn Noland – Reined Cow Horse (Mon PM, Thurs AM)

Keon Norris – Bareback Riding (Tues PM, Thurs AM)

Riggin Pearce – Bull Riding (Tues PM, Thurs AM)

Bridger Peil – Tie-Down Roping (Tues AM, Thurs PM)

Karly Peterson – Girls Cutting (Mon PM, Fri AM)

Nathan Peterson – Boys Cutting (Tues PM, Thurs AM)

Trenton Rogers – Bareback Riding (Wed AM, Wed PM)

Rickie Jo Rourke – Goat Tying (Tues AM, Thurs PM)

Tuf Scarborough – Saddle Bronc (Sun PM, Sat AM)

Ty Scarborough – Saddle Bronc (Wed AM, Wed PM)

Stetson St. Clair – Bull Riding (Wed AM, Wed PM); Team Roping (Sun PM, Sat AM)

Whitney Tarver – Team Roping (Mon PM, Fri AM)

Emeree Tavegie – Pole Bending (Mon AM, Fri PM)

Dylan Thar – Breakaway Roping (Tues AM, Thurs PM)

Hadley Thompson – Breakaway Roping (Mon AM, Fri PM); Pole Bending (Tues PM, Thurs AM); Goat Tying (Wed AM, Wed PM)

Cruz Viles – Team Roping (Mon AM, Fri PM)

Tuf Weber – Shooting Trap

The Light Rifle competition is on Tuesday, July 21, and the Short Go is on Wednesday, July 22 at 1:30 p.m. The Trap Shooting competition is on Thursday, July 23, and the Short Go is on Friday, July 24 at 8 a.m. The Reined Cow Horse event will start on Monday, July 20, and go through Thursday, July 23, each day at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. The Reined Cow Horse Championship Short Go is on Friday at 4 p.m. The Cutting Events start on Sunday at 7 p.m., then will run at 9 a.m. from Monday through Friday. The 12th Cutting performance is Saturday, July 25 at 8 a.m. The Cutting Championship Short Go is on Saturday at 2 p.m.