Jordan Wright (SEC Photo)
Looking for a potential breakout defensive player at Kentucky next season? Remember the name Jordan Wright. Maybe he will be the next emerging star like linebacker Jamin Davis was this year when he went from first-year starter to likely NFL first-round draft pick.
“When he’s healthy and his body feels good, he can be as dominant a player that’s on our team,” Kentucky defensive coordinator Brad White said last week. “He has difference-making ability.
“He changed the momentum of the South Carolina game when he just took the ball out of the running back’s hands. He ended the Mississippi State game. It was like throwing in a closer at the end of the game like it was over when he got the pick-six.
“He’s got that ability and he knows it’s about building mass and sturdiness with him and his frame because he’s so long and taking a lot of preventative stuff.”
Davis built that mass and sturdiness before last season and went on to lead UK in tackles. Wright has playing experience going into his senior season. He played in all 13 games in 2019 when he had six tackles for loss, three sacks, and two fumble recoveries. His 28-yard fumble return for a score sealed the Belk Bowl win over Virginia Tech. Last season he had 45 tackles overall with 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and an interception he took back for a score in the win over Mississippi State.
White indicated various small, nagging injuries have kept Wright from playing at less than 100 percent the last two seasons.
“The thing that we’re discussing, he knows, is the consistency of being available, and he was better last year,” White said. “In years past, a ding might’ve put him out for a little bit. Last year he pushed through it but we all know even when you push through an injury, a lot of times you’re not exactly the same.”
Wright said White has made it clear he wants him to “take it up a notch” and become a leader on defense. “I took that and just fed on it and made sure that I come in with a positive attitude every day to put in work so everybody can know we all need to put in work and just be happy we are here,” Wright said.
Remember Wright was a high school basketball star who had numerous chances to play Division I basketball. He even briefly talked with John Calipari about playing both football and basketball at Kentucky. However, his focus has been totally on football at UK and he’s making strides with being able to play multiple positions.
“He’s a guy that really has a great grasp of this defense and understanding and awareness and the position flex to play sam, to play jack, he can play all over. He plays with great vision awareness, all of that,” White said.
