John Fletcher Class: Sophomore Hometown: Erie, Colo. High School: Ralston Valley Height / Weight: 6-6 / 274 Position: Defensive Tackle

UW This Season: John Fletcher is one of the most exciting young prospects on the Wyoming roster. The sophomore, who was listed at 245 pounds during the 2006 season and came to UW as a 230-pound signee in 2004, weighed in at 274 pounds during 2006 spring drills. He has added that weight while maintaining his agility and quickness. He is a young player who not only has the Cowboy coaching staff excited, but has his teammates talking, as well. He will need to overcome a hand injury that hampered him during his redshirt freshman season of `06.

2006: Fletcher played in the first nine games of `06, before being forced to sit out the final three games due to a fractured finger and subsequent infection in his right hand. He was credited with nine tackles, including three tackles for losses and two sacks as a redshirt freshman defensive tackle. At the conclusion of 2006 spring practice, Fletcher had earned the No. 2 position on the depth chart at defensive tackle behind senior Mike Groover. Earned his first varsity letter.

2005: Redshirted. He came to Wyoming as a grayshirt, enrolling at UW in January of 2005 after being part of Wyoming's signing class in February of 2004. He participated in spring drills with the Cowboys in the spring of 2005, and earned his way onto the depth chart -- being listed No. 4 at the buck position (defensive end) entering the 2005 season.

High School: Following his senior season of 2003, Fletcher was named First Team All-Colorado for all classifications at linebacker by the Rocky Mountain News and was a First Team All Class 4A selection by both the Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post. The Rocky Mountain News named him the 4A Defensive Player of the Year. His senior season, Fletcher was credited with 150 tackles, including six quarterback sacks, and two interceptions. He was named the Defensive Player of the Year in the Mountain Plains League. An outstanding option quarterback, as well, he rushed for 589 yards and seven touchdowns, while throwing for 550 yards and eight TDs. A four-year starter at Ralston Valley High School, Fletcher earned All-State and All-Conference honors his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. He was also his team's punter. His Ralston Valley team enjoyed great success during his four-years as a starter, posting a combined 40-8 (.833) record. His first three seasons, Ralston Valley qualified for the first round of the state playoffs each season before losing. As a senior, Fletcher's squad compiled an 11-1 record and advanced all the way to the state quarterfinals. Not only was he a four-year starter, but he was named a team captain his last three years. In addition to football, Fletcher excelled in basketball and baseball at Ralston Valley. His high school football coach was Matt Lloyd.

Personal: Born Dec. 6, 1985, he is one of two children of Wendy Fletcher. Fletcher was also recruited by Colorado, Colorado State, Purdue, Utah and Washington. He is studying communications at UW.