By Robert Gagliardi
WyoSports 

Priester primed for improved season for Cowboys

 

Michael Smith/WyoSports

University of Wyoming cornerback Robert Priester tackles Florida Atlantic's Lucky Whitehead during a game during the 2014 season. After recovering from a season-ending knee injury in the second-to-last game of the season last year, Priester is back fully healthy and ready to go in fall camp.

LARAMIE - Like all good cornerbacks, Robert Priester has a short-term memory.

The University of Wyoming sophomore doesn't think about his knee injury in the second-to-last game in 2014. As a true freshman Priester played in 11 games, including seven starts. He finished with 39 tackles, two forced fumbles and two pass break-ups.

The Tampa, Florida, product was listed at 168 pounds on the roster, but he said he played at around 162 pounds at the end of the season.

It can be argued Priester's lack of size contributed to his injury. Despite showing an aggressiveness and fearlessness that impressed coaches, one of his weaknesses was tackling.

Again, his lack of size could have contributed to that.

As UW is looking for starters at both cornerback spots this season, and the good news for the Cowboys is Priester is fully recovered from his injury. He was limited during spring drills, but was cleared for all football-related activities this summer and has been a full participant in the Cowboys' first two practices of fall camp.

"With the injury, he doesn't favor it. It's like nothing ever happened," UW cornerbacks coach John Richardson said Tuesday. "He's flying around and making plays. You won't notice anything different about him."

But, you might notice his size. Priester gained nearly 20 pounds of muscle over the summer is now about 180 pounds.

"This summer I gained a lot of confidence, so I think it's going to be a better show for me this season," Priester said.

UW hopes to play Priester at the boundary cornerback spot, which is generally the side of the field where there is more one-on-one matchups with receivers, and, as Richardson said, "you have to be a fast reactor."

Second-year UW coach Craig Bohl said he expects Priester to be "real vital," at that cornerback spot.

Richardson said the cornerback depth chart changes every day, but Priester thinks if all goes well he will be one of those guys.

"I'm pretty confident I'll be out there on the field," he said. "If something's going to happen it's going to happen. I don't want to put anything in my head that something will happen to my knee, or anything else, that will stop me from playing my game."

Camp update

UW practiced for about 2 1/2 hours at the North 40 grass practice fields near the baseball stadium and tennis courts Tuesday morning. It split its Monday practice on artificial playing surfaces in War Memorial Stadium and in its indoor practice facility.

"The heat index is about 50 degrees cooler," Bohl said of one of the reasons he had the team practice on grass. "But the biggest reason is with some of our guys who had major knee or surgical procedures that the softer grass surface is better for them.

"We have a very aggressive and long fall camp, and we need to keep guys like Priester and (junior linebacker D.J. May -- both coming off knee surgeries) on the field."

Bohl said redshirt senior quarterback Cameron Coffman bounced back from an illness in Monday's practice to have a good day Tuesday. Bohl described Coffman as "really sharp," and was impressed with some of his reads and throws down field.

Bohl also singled out May, sophomore running back Brian Hill and junior defensive end Tavita Faaiu, a junior college transfer, for their efforts Tuesday.

Tight ends coach Shane LaDage said true freshman Josh Harshman from Casper Natrona County High, moved from linebacker to tight end.

UW's third practice of fall camp is at 9 a.m. today.

Injury report

Bohl said there were no new injuries after Tuesday's practice. However, he said junior receiver Tanner Simpson of Lander is dealing with stress fracture issues in his foot and it's unknown if he will be able to play football again.

 
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