Pokes Insider: Frank Crum is latest Wyoming player to realize NFL dream - University of Wyoming Athletics (2024)

Troy Babbitt

LARAMIE – Frank Crum is in the club.

The Laramie native dreamed of following in the footsteps of Josh Allen, Logan Wilson and other Wyoming players who developed into coveted NFL draft picks.

Despite not hearing his name called in the draft this spring, Crum has stuck with the Denver Broncos after flashing his unique athleticism and potential as a 6-foot-7, 315-pound offensive tackle.

"You don't get many 6-foot-7 guys that can bend like he does and have the power that he does," Broncos general manager George Paton said during a press conference on Monday after cutting the roster down to 53 active players. "He's still raw. You see him in pass (protection), I know he got beat a couple of times. But for a kid who played at Wyoming, first-year rookie in the NFL, to do some of the things he did in practice and versus Green Bay — he played well. …

"Really love the upside of Crum."

Crum, an all-Mountain West left tackle for the Cowboys last season who logged 97 snaps with the Broncos during the preseason, is one of seven UW players to make the initial 53-man roster of an NFL team in 2024.

Allen, the seventh overall pick in the 2018 draft, is entering his seventh season as the Buffalo Bills franchise quarterback. Wilson, a Casper native, is entering his fifth season as the starting middle linebacker of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Linebacker Chad Muma is on Jacksonville's active roster for the third consecutive season and safety Andrew Wingard has been designated to return from the Jaguars' injured reserve list.

Marcus Epps, a former walk-on at UW, is a starting safety for the Las Vegas Raiders. Carl Granderson, one of the top pass rushers in the NFL, is entering his sixth season with the New Orleans Saints.

"Those guys paved the way," Crum said after signing with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent. "It shows teams that being from Wyoming, there aren't a lot of us, but don't overlook us. That's for sure."

Boise State leads the MW with 11 players on active NFL rosters, followed by Fresno State (nine), San Diego State (eight) and UW (seven). Colorado State had five players make 53-man rosters this week.

The Cowboys could have a third former player on the Jaguars defense after veteran safety Tashaun Gipson Jr. serves a six-game suspension. Tyler Hall signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles but is currently on the injured reserve list.

Some former UW standouts looking to be signed to practice squads after getting cut include quarterback Andrew Peasley, tight end Treyton Welch, wide receiver Ayir Asante, linebacker Easton Gibbs, defensive tackle Mike Purcell and tight end Jacob Hollister.

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