Relationships, Love Landed Chandler Donaway in Laramie

LARAMIE -- Admittedly, Chandler Donaway wasn't so sure Wyoming was going to be a fit.

For one, it's 16 hours away. Secondly, the Houston native already had offers from in-state schools Rice and UTEP. Southern and South Alabama are at least in the neighborhood, he figured.

Then the plane landed.

"I took the two-hour drive to Laramie and it wasn’t like anything I’d ever seen," the 6-foot-3, 300-pound interior offensive lineman said. "Mountains and snow, a herd of antelope -- I fell in love."

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The East Texas A&M graduate shunned those programs above on the open market. Toledo, too. He has officially signed with the Cowboys and will immediately fill a need either at center or guard, joining former Nebraska lineman and newcomer Jason Maciejczak in the trenches.

Donaway has one season of eligibility remaining.

The front five could look like this, from left to right, on opening day in Fort Collins: Rex Johnsen, Maciejczak, Johnathan Bush, Donaway and Braylon Jenkins. Kalvin Janssen and Josiah Petaia could also make a push for the starting center role.

Donaway allowed just two sacks and 14 pressures during his five-year stint in Commerce. That damage -- or lack thereof -- came on 1,428 career snaps. He started 21 games for the Lions and appeared in six more, showing his versatility across the front five.

What put Wyoming over the top?

"Before I even got to Laramie, I felt the love from the conversations I had with (offensive line) coach (Joe) Tripodi," he said. "... I was met with love from every staff member, and coach (Jay) Sawvel came and sat next to me at our dinner. The interactions I had felt natural and not forced like most visits do. They didn’t try to oversell me, they told me the pros and cons and allowed me to make my own opinions on things.

"The facilities are nice, the area is nice and the resources are nice, but the people in the building are what won me over. The most important thing to me, they tell me every time I talk to them how much they value me. We have already formed a great relationship in the short time since the portal has opened."

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The Cowboys offensive line, especially the interior, has taken a hit this offseason, beginning with the graduation of center Jack Walsh and right guard Caden Barnett. Left guard Wes King is now at West Virginia. his back-up, Luke Sandy, is still looking for a new home.

There were a number of young, inexperienced players who made their way to the two-deep last fall, including Giovanni Panozzo, Quinn Grovesteen-Matchey and Caleb Hall. Jake Davies also has 18 games under his belt at the tackle spot.

Nate Geiger, who has been the opening-day starter at left tackle the previous two seasons, suffered a second ACL tear in 2025 and isn't expected to be medically cleared until October or November.

Donaway said the opportunity to be on the field when the Cowboys take on Border War rival Colorado State in the opener was too good to pass up. There's another driving force, too.

"I’m so excited to showcase my talent at this level," he said, referring to making the move from Division II to FCS to the FBS. "I wasn’t a high-level recruit out of high school, but I made my impact right away. I’ve battled coaching changes, injury and other adversity, but I trusted in God that he would allow me to finally show that I deserve to be at this level."

Wyoming now has 15 known commits in this cycle. According to a source familiar with the situation, that number is actually 17. The final date to enroll in classes is Jan. 26, but this staff hopes to have this group in place six days prior.

The focus now is squarely on landing a wide receiver -- or two -- to go along with quarterback Tyler Hughes (William and Mary), running back Markell Holman (Western Illinois), tight end Tyler Siddons (Northwestern State) and linemen Maciejczak and Donaway.

For the latter, he's already dreaming about what it will be like to run out of the tunnel inside War Memorial Stadium. But first, there is more pressing business to attend to.

"It’s go time Sept. 5," he said. "We're keeping the boot in Laramie."

Spring practice in Laramie is scheduled to begin March 24. Those 15 practices culminate with the annual game April 25 inside War Memorial Stadium.