Wyoming Cowboys football head coach Jay Sawvel said on April 22 that sophomore Tegen Seeds has become a crucial player for the team this spring as injuries have left the defensive tackle position thin.
The development matters as several defensive tackles are currently sidelined, putting extra pressure on available players and testing the team’s depth ahead of upcoming games. The ability to adapt and fill in roles is seen as vital for team performance moving forward.
Seeds, originally from Douglas, has taken on an increased workload through 13 practices after teammates suffered injuries. Cody Crawford is out indefinitely with a torn ACL, while Henry Rehberg continues to recover from his own torn ACL. Alex Haswell will miss the rest of spring but is expected back for summer workouts. Newcomer Ja’Quan Redfern has also missed time, and both Dante Drake and Caleb Robinson are being held out of team periods as they recover from Achilles tendon injuries. Jayden Williams left practice with back spasms last week, and freshman Tanielu Maafala-Barbasa was also sidelined.
“We went down low on D-tackles (last) Tuesday, and it was just me,” Seeds said. “I’ve been in (the training room) every day getting ice on my shoulders, elbows, knees.” Seeds walked onto the University of Wyoming as an offensive lineman before switching to defensive tackle last year. He made an impact late last season by recording an interception against San Diego State when injuries affected the roster.
Sawvel said: “Tegen can help us. He did a good job on PAT, field goal (protection) last year because he’s kind of dense and he’s hard to move. Against some of the more run heavy teams he’s a big guy to try to move around in there. There’s value that he can bring that way.” Defensive tackles coach Deonte Gibson described Seeds and Crawford as “true Wyoming brawlers,” adding that Haswell is making progress toward becoming another key contributor among local recruits.
Seeds hopes his expanded role this spring will lead to more playing time in the fall: “It has been good because I need a lot of work. I’m still new being a D-tackle, I just got switched a year ago,” he said. “More and more reps is going to get me ready if I get some playing time this year.” Gibson praised Seeds’s work ethic: “A guy like Tegen busts his butt every day no matter what’s wrong with him… He proved last year when injuries came up that he could be a viable option to play games. I’m just excited to see him grow his game.” As preparations continue for Saturday’s spring game at War Memorial Stadium, Seeds reflected: “Putting in this work has really proved to me that I can do a lot for this team… I think I’ve got a lot of respect for that.”
