Wyoming Safety Justin Taylor Enters Transfer Portal, Cowboys Face Turnover

Justin Taylor formally entered the NCAA Transfer Portal on December 26, removing a rotational defensive back and special teams contributor from the Wyoming roster. A 6 foot, 198 pound defensive back from Chicago, Taylor was a three star recruit out of Nazareth Academy and appeared in all 12 games for the Cowboys in 2025. His season stat line included 19 tackles, one fumble recovery and one interception returned for a touchdown. He also played 72 snaps across three special teams units and received a Pro Football Focus grade of 61.4 for the season.

Taylor’s departure is the latest in a string of transfers from Laramie. Recent exits include defensive back Tyrese Boss, linebacker Markie Grant and offensive lineman Caleb Merritt. Those moves brought Wyoming’s total number of players in the portal to 14 during this posting, representing a notable level of roster turnover for head coach Jay Sawvel’s program.

The immediate impact is material at both safety and on special teams. Taylor was regularly involved on kickoff, punt and return units, and his availability in every game last season underscored his role as a dependable depth piece. Losing a player with multi unit special teams experience increases pressure on younger players and on the coaching staff to find replacements either through incoming recruits or additional portal activity.

Taylor originally joined Wyoming after a prior transfer contact with cornerbacks coach Benny Boyd, a recruiting pathway the staff has used to bring experienced contributors into the roster. His profile, including game experience and a mid 60s PFF grade, suggests he may draw interest from programs looking for immediate depth in the secondary and proven special teams performers.

For Albany County residents, the turnover matters beyond the depth chart. Continued roster change can complicate expectations for next season’s performance, and it can influence recruiting messages that affect ticket sales and fan engagement. The football program’s offseason moves also have local economic implications since game day attendance and related spending are sensitive to on field competitiveness.

Looking ahead, Wyoming’s staff will need to balance scholarship allocations, target incoming high school recruits and evaluate portal candidates to shore up the secondary and replenish special teams personnel. With spring practices on the horizon, how the Cowboys respond to this wave of departures will shape depth and experience levels when the 2026 season preparation begins.