By Luke Fletcher | Ft. Collins, CO

Wyoming didn’t dabble in the transfer portal this offseason they attacked it. With nearly every position group touched, head coach Jay Sawvel and his staff assembled a veteran-heavy transfer class designed to stabilize key areas and push Wyoming forward in 2026. The haul blends Power Four experience, proven FCS production and developmental upside, giving the Cowboys one of their most complete portal classes in recent memory.

At the top of the list are quarterback Tyler Hughes, linebacker Anthony Beavers Jr., offensive lineman Jason Maciejczak, safety Jett Vincent and three-star running back Diore Hubbard, a group that signals exactly how Wyoming plans to move forward.

The most important addition may be under center. Former William & Mary quarterback Tyler Hughes committed on Jan. 5, reuniting with Wyoming’s new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Christian Taylor. Taylor recruited Hughes out of high school and coached him at William & Mary before joining the Buffalo Bills’ staff last season. That familiarity should pay immediate dividends. Hughes broke out in 2025, throwing for 2,330 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding 670 rushing yards and 11 scores. He threw just three interceptions and accounted for 37 total touchdowns during his career. With one year of eligibility remaining, Hughes enters spring practice as a strong candidate to lead an offense undergoing transition. For Wyoming, landing a quarterback who already knows the system removes one of the biggest unknowns heading into 2026.

Wyoming’s running game has long been the backbone of the program, and the Cowboys added another weapon with the signing of Diore Hubbard, a three-star running back out of West Virginia. Hubbard brings a blend of speed and physicality that complements sophomore Samuel Harris, who announced his return after a standout freshman season. Rather than relying on a single workhorse, Wyoming now has options, and flexibility in the backfield. The addition gives the Cowboys another playmaker capable of contributing as both a runner and receiver, a valuable trait in the evolving Mountain West.

The Cowboys also made the trenches a priority. Jason Maciejczak, a three-star offensive guard from Nebraska, arrives with two years of eligibility remaining after appearing in 21 games over the past two seasons. At 6-foot-3, 310 pounds, Maciejczak brings Big Ten size and experience to a Wyoming offensive line that needed reinforcements. He joins a group that includes Northern Arizona transfer Jeremiah Katt and East Texas A&M’s Chandler Donaway, signaling Wyoming’s intent to rebuild the line with experienced, college-ready players rather than projects.

One of the most notable defensive additions is Anthony Beavers Jr., a former four-star linebacker who spent the past four seasons at USC. Originally recruited as a safety, Beavers moved to linebacker midway through his career, giving him versatility in coverage and run support. He enters his fifth season with 49 career tackles and a forced fumble, despite a medical redshirt in 2025. For Wyoming, Beavers adds size, athleticism and leadership to the second level,  a unit that will be leaned on heavily against the Mountain West’s uptempo offenses.

Wyoming also landed a familiar face from a familiar foe. Jett Vincent, a three-star safety from Colorado State, crossed the Border War divide when he signed with the Cowboys on Jan. 6. Vincent brings two years of eligibility and Mountain West experience, along with a reputation as a ballhawk, he owns the Kansas high school record with 36 career interceptions. While his college numbers have been modest so far, Wyoming sees upside in his instincts and versatility within its defensive scheme.

Beyond the headliners, the Cowboys’ transfer class is packed with proven contributors:

• Jack Dunkley (DE, Duquesne): Two-time all-conference selection with 12½ sacks over the past two seasons
  
• Donnie Wingate (DE, Southern Illinois): All-Missouri Valley performer
  
• Thaddeus Gianaris (DL, Dartmouth): Five sacks and an 89.4 PFF grade
  
• Logan Mackey (CB, Weber State): PFF’s No. 20-rated cornerback this fall
  
• Justin Popovich (WR, Lock Haven): 55 catches for 709 yards and six touchdowns
  
• Markell Holman (RB, Western Illinois): 1,064 rushing yards and 39 receptions
  
• Nathan Curry (LS, North Alabama): First-team all-conference long snapper
  

Add in junior college linebacker Karson Butts and DII defensive back Da’Marion Brownlee, and Wyoming has added both immediate help and long-term depth.

Only time will tell if  head coach Jay Sawvel is the right person to get the team back to bowl eligibility. However, this transfer class reflects a clear philosophy: experience matters. Wyoming addressed quarterback, strengthened the offensive line, added proven pass rushers and infused the defense with athleticism; all without sacrificing the physical identity that has defined the program. If the key pieces settle in quickly, the Cowboys won’t be starting over in 2026. They’ll be positioned to compete immediately in the Mountain West, and that’s exactly what this transfer class was built to do.