LARAMIE — Deion DeBlanc’s name does not appear on the Cowboys depth chart.
The rookie was the team’s punt and kick returner until last Saturday night’s game against nationally ranked Utah. That job is now held by wide receiver Charlie Coenen and running back Max White, respectively.
One of Wyoming’s top recruits for 2025 may redshirt this fall. However, Jay Sawvel stated that the ultimate decision is determined by circumstances.
“I wouldn’t say that’s the end of Deion DeBlanc for this year; obviously, we still have two more games where we can use him. “He may not redshirt at all,” Wyoming’s second-year head coach said, calling it a “shared decision.” “A lot of it is based on his development and then on a specific role. It’s difficult for me to look at a guy and say, ‘Hey, we’re playing you five or eight times a game, and you lose your year of eligibility.'”
The Texas native played only three snaps at wide receiver in the opener against Akron. He achieved the same result the following week against Northern Iowa. He never left the bench during Week 3.
DeBlanc has returned four punts for 53 yards, including a 24-yarder in the victory over the Panthers.
With two games remaining before losing a year of eligibility, Sawvel said he will be “judicious” about when to insert DeBlanc into the lineup. Injuries can play a significant role in this.
Sawvel said the true freshman approached him and inquired about his role in the offense. The Cowboys’ leading receiver, Chris Durr Jr., plays the same slot position as DeBlanc, resulting in little to no playing time.
“It’s just unfortunate, because the guy he’s playing behind is obviously one of our best players and the best guy to get the ball to,” wide receivers coach Jovon Bouknight said, adding that no matter how this plays out, he respects both the player and the head coach’s decision. “Chris has been absolutely amazing and that’s nothing against Deion.”
DeBlanc is a three-star prospect from North Shore High School in the Houston suburbs. There, the 5-foot-10, 185-pound track star, who also played cornerback in high school, hauled in over 600 yards of passes and five touchdowns, helping the Mustangs make another deep playoff run in the 6A playoffs. He also spotted the end zone twice more on the ground.
When that performance was combined with his selection as District 14-6A Newcomer of the Year during his freshman season at Eisenhower High School, college recruiters were calling in droves. Oregon offered. Many other schools followed suit, including Arizona State, Texas Tech, Louisville, and Arkansas.
“He played both sides at North Shore High School. “Nobody does that,” Sawvel stated on signing day. “When he gets the ball on offense, he’ll try to go through you. When you have the ball on defense, he tries to get through your face. So you look at that and say, “OK, this is a guy who clearly enjoys playing.”
That is why Wyoming wanted him. Why did DeBlanc select Laramie?
“Coach Sawvel called me daily. “Every day, he checked in on me,” he said in March. “Other colleges I had (offers from) called and checked in on me every other day, but they only focused on me.
Coach Sawvel spoke with me every day and expressed concern for my family. So I was like, “Oh, yeah, this guy loves me.” This is the perfect place for me.”
Though DeBlanc is not currently on the two-deep roster, his phone number can be reached at any time. In the age of instant gratification and the transfer portal, Sawvel is well aware of the criticism that could come his way if the redshirt is maintained.
“Look, I understand that people on the other side of it may ask, ‘Well, in today’s world, how long do you keep them?’ “I can’t worry about that right now,” he stated bluntly. “We have to kind of do what’s best for us and the player, too.”
