LOOK: Pads popping in snowy Laradise

LARAMIE -- You might not know this, but the media is only allowed to watch the first 20 minutes of practice each Tuesday and Thursday throughout spring camp.

By practice I mean stretching and the beginning of one or two drills.

Craig Bohl's orders.

So, when the Pokes opened practice Tuesday, DJ Johnson came ready to fire away, capturing just some of the new faces that now make up this young program. If you missed our story about players who have changed numbers, you can find that right HERE. We all know Bohl's policy on names on the back of jerseys, so you might want to screen shot this one.

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Want some raw takeaways from the first glimpse of this team?

* Cole Godbout and Easton Gibbs look great in shorts. You know they can play, but Tuesday they looked like physical specimens. According to last season's opening day depth chart, Godbout weighed in at 274 and Gibbs tipped the scales at 227. Now, those numbers read like this -- 285 and 230, respectively.

* No one likes Josh Allen comparisons, right? Well, too bad. Incoming sophomore Evan Svoboda looks just like him, same No. 17 jersey and all. The Snow College transfer is 6-foot-5, 240. It was shocking how similar they look in stature. As far as slinging it and making plays? We'll all have to wait and see.

* It was hard not to notice the Pokes punt returners inside the indoor practice facility: Titus Swen, DQ James and Tyrese Grant. For those of you who don't follow this program closely, Swen is a powerful, shifty running back. In space, look out. James, who is just 5-foot-7, is even faster. And by all accounts he has "broken the ankles" of the best of them: Chad Muma, Garrett Crall, Esaias Gandy, and many, many others. Grant is a speedy wide out who can pick 'em up and put 'em down. This Texas trio could add a whole new element to this Cowboys' special teams unit.

* Was unfortunately watching one of those punt returns when incoming safety TJ Urban went down early in practice. The Air Force transfer hit the turf and immediately clutched his left knee. He had to be helped off the field and Bohl fears it could be a "significant" setback, Urban will have an MRI later this week.

* Can't help but like Wyoming's newest QB addition, Andrew Peasley. The junior transfer from Utah State has a great personality and is getting comfortable in Laramie. I asked him what the biggest difference is between Logan and Laramie. One of the first answers: bars. "I think there's one bar in Logan that just opened up," he joked. "It's more of a, I'd say, college focus down here."

* Always great running into former UW linebacker Logan Wilson. Fresh off a Super Bowl appearance with the Bengals, Wilson -- to the surprise of no one -- has made Wyoming his home in the offseason. So, naturally, he stopped by the school's annual pro day to check out fellow linebacker, Muma. So did scouts from 29 NFL franchises. Another former Cowboy linebacker, Cassh Maluia, was also in attendance. Even head basketball coach Jeff Linder stopped by to check out the event.

* I asked Logan Harris and Crall is it was weird to be leaving the facility Tuesday as this new roster hit the field for the opening of spring practice. Short answer: yes. Long one: They don't miss spring practice.

* Had a final chance to visit with former running back, Trey Smith, Tuesday morning in Laramie. There isn't an easier guy to root for in the game. His 49-yard touchdown in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl was a perfect end for the 26-year-old who has had a college experience like no one else. Rooting for him to land a spot at the next level.

Check out some of DJ's photos right here: