Jeremiah Wright's long journey to his first career start in JHS
Three head coaches, five position coaches, two major injuries and two position changes later, it's all coming together for big No. 77.
RG Jeremiah Wright (Austin Perryman/Auburn Tigers)
It was National Signing Day. Auburn’s head coach was at the podium, giving his thoughts on all the Tigers the team had just officially signed.
About midway through his rundown, he said this:
“Jeremiah Wright. Offensive lineman from Selma. He’s got a 3.4 GPA. Big, athletic guy. We really felt like if he was in an area like Atlanta, he would be one of the top linemen in the country. He’s got an unbelievable skill set. We think he’s going to be a really good player.”
That press conference was nearly five whole years ago — December 18, 2019. The head coach was Gus Malzahn.
Since he signed with Auburn, Wright has played for three different head coaches. He’s been under five different position coaches. He’s had to recover from two major injuries. He changed sides of the ball twice.
Of the 27 players in his signing class, more than 20 transferred. Several others have already graduated. One is about to enter his second NFL season.
But, on Saturday night, Wright will officially begin his fifth season at Auburn. And, for the first time, he’s projected to be in the starting lineup for a home game inside Jordan-Hare Stadium.
The evaluation that Auburn had on him from five years ago will finally come to fruition.
“This is the best I've felt since I've been here, especially going into a season now possibly being a starter at right guard,” Wright said earlier this week. “Ever since I've been here, that's always been my dream, to come in and help the team — but also be a starter.
“It's just a dream come true. It ain't hit me yet. It won't until I get ready to step out onto the field Saturday.”
Members of several Auburn coaching staffs have felt like Wright was a diamond in the rough, a potential breakout player who could go well beyond his 3-star status out of Selma High School.
At 6-foot-5 and possessing a mean streak that often shows up on tape, there’s been a lot of talk internally about what could happen if Wright was able to put it all together.
He just never had that opportunity, for a laundry list of reasons that would make most college football players decide to hit the transfer portal.