Wyoming redshirt freshman cornerback Naz Hill has announced his decision to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, making him the seventh defensive player from the Cowboys roster to seek opportunities elsewhere this offseason, 7220 Sports reports.
Hill, a former three-star recruit from Kankakee, Illinois, revealed his decision via social media, where he expressed gratitude for his time at the University of Wyoming.
“I would like to thank Wyoming and the entire coaching staff/program for the incredible opportunity I’ve had to be part of this team,” Hill wrote. “I am truly grateful for the support, guidance, and development I’ve received here. The relationships I’ve built and the experiences I’ve gained will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Hill’s departure follows a string of other exits from the Cowboys’ defensive unit, including linebackers Cole DeMarzo and Read Sunn, safeties Koa McIntyre and Nikos Varelas, edge rusher Braden Siders, and defensive tackle Jaden Williams. Tyler “TK” King, a First Team All-Mountain West kick returner, is the only offensive player to enter the transfer portal so far.
During the 2024 season, Hill played in one game, recording a single tackle during a matchup against Washington State. This was his only in-game action of the season, as he redshirted for the year. Hill has three years of NCAA eligibility remaining.
A standout athlete in high school, Hill was named a Special Mention member of the 2022 Champaign News-Gazette All-State football team as a defensive back. He was also recruited by schools such as Akron, Northern Illinois, Miami (Ohio), UConn, and Kansas before committing to Wyoming.
The departure of seven defensive players has left Wyoming’s defensive depth in flux. Together, the departing defenders accounted for 55 tackles, four sacks, and one forced fumble during the 2024 season. Edge rusher Braden Siders contributed 3.5 of those sacks. Safeties McIntyre and Varelas, however, did not record any defensive statistics.
Wyoming’s defensive secondary faced challenges throughout the 2024 season, allowing an average of 218.9 passing yards per game — ranking 69th out of 133 FBS programs. Injuries to key players, including senior safeties Wyett Ekeler (broken thumbs) and Isaac White (foot/ankle), placed additional strain on the team’s depth. Sophomore Keany Parks, originally recruited as a running back, was transitioned to cornerback to help address the roster needs.
Head coach Jay Sawvel and his staff have already begun efforts to rebuild the secondary. They have brought in new talent, including junior college cornerback BJ Inmon from Snow College, along with incoming freshmen Elvin Ampofo (Aurora, Colo.), Tyson Deen (San Antonio, Texas), and Kaiden Kimble-Turner (Kuna, Idaho).
The NCAA Transfer Portal remains open until December 28, providing Wyoming and other programs with the opportunity to fill roster spots before the next open window, which runs from April 16 to April 25.
