As we approach national signing day on February 1st, head coach Craig Bohl and his Wyoming coaching staff will be looking to close out strong with their 2017 recruiting class.
The Cowboys are up to 18 known verbal commitments. As of this moment we are looking at a class of possibly 23 signees but a outside possibility of a full class of 25 depending on possible roster attrition.
Wyoming picked up three big verbals from prospects out of the Sacramento (CA) during the holiday break. The three verbals joined Ryan Gatoloai-Faupula from Sacramento. First to commit of the trio was quarterback Tyler Vander Waal and then followed by two defenders in defensive end Victor Jones and defensive tackle Rovontae Holt. All four come out of the recruiting territory of wide receiver coach Michael Grant with the assist by recruiting coordinator Gordie Haug and others.
Vander Waal, a 6’5″, 215-pounder out of Christian Brothers High School was offered on October 9th. He previously verbally committed to Ball State before flipping to the Cowboys on December 14th. He gives the Cowboys a future starting quarterback after Josh Allen and Nick Smith.
He threw for 2926 yards on 202/333 passing and 26 touchdowns. He also rushed for 378 yards on 118 carries and a additional 6 touchdowns.
Rivals and 247 Sports ranked Vander Waal as a 3-star recruit, and Scout gives him 2-stars.
Next to join Vander Waal on the Sacramento commitment train was Victor Jones, a 6’4″, 235-pound defensive end from Inderkum High School. Jones is the second player from Inderkum to pick the Cowboys in the 2017 class. He joins his Tiger teammate, linebacker Gatoloai-Faupula.
Jones was offered on June 9th and verbally committed to Wyoming on December 29th.
He also held offers from Colorado State, Nevada, California, Utah and Oregon.
On the 2016 season, Jones defensively had 79 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 interception and 1 fumble recovery.
Scout, Rivals and 247 Sports ranked Jones as a 3-star recruit.
Later that evening after Jones committed to the Cowboys, Ravontae Holt, the 6’4″, 260-pound defensive tackle joined the recruiting class. The Sheldon High School product was offered on October 25th.
He also held offers from UC-Davis, Cal-Poly and Sacramento State.
This past fall he defensively had 99 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 1 fumble recovery for the Huskies.
Scout ranked Holt as a 2-star prospect. He has yet to be rated by the other recruiting services at this time.