Star Valley grad taking advantage of time with 1st offense

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) - Pahl Schwab's first time on the field in a Wyoming uniform didn't go unnoticed.

When the Star Valley graduate made his debut blocking for field goals against Boise State, it was like a dream come true for his family.

"My grandparents grew up in Wyoming," Schwab said. "My parents grew up in Wyoming. I have extended family that are ridiculously diehard Wyoming fans. It doesn't matter what was going on, they always were wearing brown and gold and everything.

"And so when I was able to get in playing on field goal this last year and all those family members and everything were cheering, and now I'm wearing the same jersey they're cheering for, it was pretty awesome."

Now, Schwab is getting more playing time than ever. With Ryan Cummings and Brinkley Jolly both out for spring camp while recovering from surgeries, Schwab is the first-team right tackle.

"I'm getting lower on run blocking and my pass blocking I'm stronger at," Schwab said. "I'm just working on little techniques to help me better. I think overall, I'm definitely taking advantage of it."

Schwab played on the field goal unit as a redshirt freshman last season from the Oct. 29 Boise State game on. He began the season as the backup left tackle but then practiced at both left and right tackle when Jolly went down.

After he returned from winter break, he heard that Jolly would be out for spring camp, making those five weeks his time to shine.

"I knew that I had to step it up," said Schwab, who graduated from Star Valley in 2012 before going on an LDS mission, "because it was going to be me."

The Cowboys' offensive line has lacked depth this spring, especially at the tackle spot, which has meant a lot of work for Schwab and starting left tackle Zach Wallace.

"Pahl has been doing phenomenal this spring in my opinion," Wallace told the Casper Star-Tribune (http://bit.ly/2pajUNE). "He's really showing why he should deserve maybe a starting spot if he keeps up what he's doing."

Said lineman Cole Turner: "It's awesome to see him in there. He's one of my best friends, and it's just really exciting for him, because he works harder than about anybody on the team, so it's really good to see."

Schwab is one of eight Wyoming natives returning from last year's roster.

"We appreciate him," head coach Craig Bohl said. "He's a Wyoming player from Star Valley, and he's come back from his mission and done a good job and is an emerging guy to where he shows that he can go out there on the field and play meaningful reps for the Cowboys."

If his improvement continues, Wyoming's depth at the right tackle spot could be a strength once Cummings and Jolly return.

"Pahl's doing great," right guard Kaden Jackson. "I like what he's doing. He's got things to work on. I think he needs to be physical, but he definitely fills the spot. He knows what to do. He definitely holds his own."

Although, Schwab isn't playing with the mindset of surrendering that first-string right tackle spot.

"I'm always out there to compete," he said. "If I keep doing (what I'm doing) and improving throughout this spring, I would love to take that spot. Whether it's rotating with Ryan and Brink or taking most of those reps, just having that competition to where we can be competing for that spot, whatever's best for the team."

His family would certainly appreciate it. Even the ones who aren't from Wyoming.

"When we were able to upset (Boise State)," Schwab said, "it just added that much more, because I have a cousin that's from over near Boise and he's a diehard Boise fan. Got him there and had a Wyoming jersey on him. Had him take off his Boise hat at the end of the game, just because we got it."

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Information from: Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune, http://www.trib.com