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LARAMIE – Jalani Ellison's name has been mentioned more often than not.

The University of Wyoming freshman cornerback has impressed coaches through the Cowboys' first 10 practices of fall camp. Listed at 6-foot and 160 pounds when he signed out of Reseda High in Reseda, California, Ellison is in the hunt to be UW's fourth cornerback, along with redshirt junior Antonio Hull and redshirt freshmen C.J. Coldon and Keyon Blankenbaker.

"Athletically, he brings a different element to the group, which is good to see out of a freshman," UW cornerbacks coach John Richardson said. "His speed. His ability to flip his hips and change direction. He has almost all that. He can pretty much do everything required of a corner. He's not strong in just one aspect.

"Still, you're dealing with a young kid out of high school who didn't see passes past 20 yards. Now, when a quarterback is throwing it 40 or 50 yards, it is different for him. Having discipline and having his eyes right are some things he needs to work on, but he's definitely athletic."

But there was a time Ellison thought he wouldn't even get to college.

Ellison took the ACT prior to graduation, a requirement for admission into many schools like UW. He thought all was well. He felt he did well and waited for the score to come back so he could announce his signing with UW during the early signing period in December 2017.

The test score never came back.

"They lost the folder and told me I had to re-take it," Ellison said. "It was stressful. I didn't think I was going to go to college. I was hurt, and my mom was hurt, too.

"When my mom told me I had to retake it, I studied hard, harder than I did when I took it the first time. I felt I did well on the first test. But I studied harder the second time."

Ellison got what Richardson described as an "amazing" test score the second time. He signed with UW after the second signing period in February.

Ellison's ACT score mix-up likely cost him more interest from colleges. As a junior, he was a 2016 second team All-America pick by MaxPreps.com as a cornerback as he led the state of California with 15 interceptions. Ellison received a three-star rating out of five as a senior from 247sports.com when he also was a wide receiver and kick returner. He intercepted seven passes and returned two for touchdowns.

Still, as the signing period came and went, only UW and Eastern Washington of the Football Championship Subdivision offered Ellison a scholarship.

"The whole Wyoming program stuck with me through everything," Ellison said. "They care about their players a lot. When they heard I didn't get my first ACT score, they stayed with me until the end until I got it.

"It is a big opportunity I have here, and there is a lot I want to accomplish."

Richardson said sophomore walk-on Sidney Washington also has had a good camp, competing for UW's fourth cornerback spot.

"I came here and thought I would struggle, and I have struggled a little bit because the college game is way faster than high school, but I am catching up and getting way better," Ellison said.

"I didn't think I would do this good this early. But I have to keep executing and learning."

Richardson said he would like to have at least five cornerbacks he can rely on from game to game, whether that is on defense or on special teams. Richardson also said the uncertainty of getting Ellison – and the relationship they built during the process – has allowed him to coach him differently.

"We battled through it, which allows me to coach him a little bit tougher because he knows I'm not coaching him hard just because I want to be hard on him, but because I want the best for him," he said.

O-line update

UW continues to be without three potential starters along the offensive line due to injuries: sophomore right tackle Alonzo Velasquez (knee), redshirt freshman guard Eric Abojei (concussion) and junior guard Gavin Rush (undisclosed). A source told WyoSports on Tuesday that Rush's injury could be long-term.

Velasquez is the starter at right tackle, and Abojei and Rush were listed as "or" in terms of the starter at left guard entering camp. Fifth-year UW coach Craig Bohl said he is hopeful Velasquez will return soon.

UW used six different starting lineups along the offensive line last season, including five straight at one point due to injuries or illness.

Ten days into camp, it kind of feels like déjà vu.

"Maybe in some ways, but honestly, we do have more depth and guys that can play different positions," UW offensive line coach Scott Fuchs said. "You'd love to have everyone healthy all the time, but that's also not realistic. It's a few more than you want right now at this point and time, but fall camp doesn't stop. You keep going."

Redshirt freshman Keegan Cryder, the starting center as camp started, has received more reps at guard – which is his natural position before being moved to center. Redshirt freshman Patrick Arnold has taken most of the center reps.

"That put some stress on Pat at center, and he's answering the bell pretty well. Keegan is doing a really good job at guard," Fuchs said.

Sophomore Logan Harris of Torrington, who started all 13 games at center last season, was moved to guard in the spring and has taken more reps there in recent days.

Redshirt freshman Rudy Stofer has received most of the snaps at right tackle.

"We're not hitting the panic button at all," Fuchs said. "Guys are going to return, and we'll continue to put more guys in there as they come back."