LARAME – Since the 2017 NFL Draft was completed, two additional Wyoming Cowboys received undrafted free-agent offers from NFL teams. Cowboy seniors Jake Maulhardt received an offer from the New Orleans Saints, and D.J. May received an offer from the Detroit Lions. Maulhardt, who played wide receiver at Wyoming may potentially play tight end at the professional level. May, who played the strong-side linebacker/nickel position in college, may move to safety at the NFL level.
They join three other Cowboys who received free-agent offers following completion of the 2017 NFL Draft. Wide receiver Tanner Gentry received an offer from the Chicago Bears. Tight end Jacob Hollister received an offer from the World Champion New England Patriots, and linebacker Lucas Wacha received a free-agent offer from the Dallas Cowboys.
Last Saturday, Cowboy running back Brian Hill was drafted in the fifth round of the NFL Draft by the NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons, and center Chase Roullier was drafted in the sixth round by the Washington Redskins.
Jake Maulhardt, Wide Receiver/Tight End
(New Orleans Saints, Free Agent)
Maulhardt had an outstanding senior season in 2016. He ranked second for the Cowboys in receptions (39), receiving yards (614) and average receiving yards per game (43.9).
He played a critical role in the first game of his senior season catching five passes for 106 yards in a 40-34, triple-overtime win over Northern Illinois in Laramie. The Camarillo, Calif., native also had an outstanding game in a 34-33 win over No. 24 ranked San Diego State. Maulhardt had three receptions for 84 yards against the Aztecs, including a 30-yard TD catch to tie the game at 27-27 and another 45-yard catch vs. SDSU. Maulhardt had five receptions for 55 yards at New Mexico, and he had four catches in three other games — at Nebraska (4 receptions for 22 yards), at Eastern Michigan (4 catches for 83 yards) and at UNLV (4 receptions for 45 yards).
Over his Wyoming career, he played in 49 career games and started 29, including starting the last 20 consecutive. He caught 126 career passes for 1,617 career yards and had 14 career touchdown receptions. His 14 career TD receptions tied him for eighth place in Wyoming school history.
D.J. May, Linebacker/Safety
(Detroit Lions, Free Agent)
May was an extremely versatile player for the Wyoming Cowboys in 2016. He earned Second Team All-Mountain West Conference honors as a kickoff returner. On defense, May played both the strong-side linebacker and nickel back.
May was enjoying an outstanding senior season prior to suffering a season-ending injury in the 12th game of the season at New Mexico. He was leading the Mountain West and ranked No. 11 in the nation in kickoff returns, averaging 27.9 yards per return, at the time of his injury. He averaged 5.2 tackles per game for the season, had 32 solo tackles, 25 assists, three pass breakups one forced fumble and one fumble return for a touchdown. His fumble return for a TD gave Wyoming a 21-6 lead against Air Force midway through the third quarter on way to a 35-26 home victory. Among his best individual performances in 2016 were: nine tackles vs. Northern Illinois, eight tackles at Nebraska, eight tackles at Eastern Michigan, seven tackles at Nevada, six tackles vs. Air Force and six tackles in a home win over No. 13 ranked Boise State.
He played running back at Wyoming his first two seasons and led the Cowboys in rushing as a true freshman before moving to linebacker his junior season. May played in 39 career games for Wyoming and started 24.
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