Jason Wright struggled in his first two years at Northwestern.On the football field, he had been moved from running back to widereceiver. Off the field, he didn’t feel like he fit in at NU.
Then something happened that sparked a change in Wright, thatled him to change how he lived his life and how he approached hisgame: His teammate and fellow California-native Rashidi Wheelerdied in August 2001.
“When I first got moved to receiver, I remember just being verydown. I’d never had to get over anything before that, and I didn’ttake it the right way,” Wright said. “Knowing I was going through atough time … Rashidi would say, ‘Keep going. You’re doing well,you’re making us proud, you’re playing as a freshman, you’re doingan awesome job.'”
Four years later, the 5-foot-10, 210-pound Wright is hoping anNFL team will consider him a steal in the draft this weekend.
Following two unproductive years at wideout for NU, Wrightdidn’t look like he was headed toward an NFL career.
In the spring of 2002, after several running backs were injured,Wright got a chance to play the position he had excelled at in highschool. Remembering Wheeler’s spirit, Wright decided not to let theopportunity slip away.
“It wasn’t like (Wheeler) passed and I was on this whole newgame plan,” Wright said. “It was a gradual process, and that’s whatkick-started it.”
Starting at tailback, Wright carried the Cats’ offense hisjunior and senior seasons and finished his career fourth on NU’sall-time rushing list.
After a stellar senior season, Wright trained hard for the HulaBowl in Hawaii, the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Ind., andthe personal workouts at NU’s indoor facilities. He also worked outtwice a day with a trainer in Winnetka. According to his agent MikeMcCartney, Wright grabbed the attention of more than a dozenteams.
Wright, an academic All-American who will graduate with a degreein psychology this spring, was overwhelmed by the media whirlwindthat started as his college career ended and the NFL draftapproached.
“It’s really become an event in and of itself,” Wright said.”They’ve come up with a science of rating prospects. They have anumber of drills that really don’t have anything to do withfootball. You know you’re under a microscope, and your game isbroken down and torn apart, but that’s the point. Teams need toknow what they’re getting from every single athlete.”
McCartney advised Wright not to worry about which team he endsup with on draft day. Wright said whichever team he ends up playingfor will have a running back that can do anything. Well, almostanything.
“I think they’re getting a running back that can do everythingbut run a 4.3 (in the 40-yard dash),” Wright said, making acharacteristic joke about his speed.
Ironically, it is Wright’s experience at wide receiver that maybalance out his lack of speed and help raise his draft stock. Histime at wide receiver improved his pass-catching and route-runningabilities, making him a valuable commodity for teams that run aWest Coast offense or are looking for a third-down back.
“Teams that have evaluated him correctly realize that they’regoing to get a high-character guy with excellent hands,intelligence and toughness,” said McCartney. “He’ll have a chancevery early on to make an impact with his team, especially in nickelsituations and on special teams.”
To prepare for the pros, Wright has sought advice from formerCats players in the NFL, including Giants offensive lineman JeffRoehl and former Vikings wide receiver D’Wayne Bates. Wright saidthey helped him know what to expect from the combine and arehelping him prepare for life as a rookie.
“(They gave) me insight on what kind of training (to do) toimprove, what to expect when I go to minicamp, everything,” Wrightsaid.
Now on the brink of reaching his childhood dream of playing inthe NFL, Wright has found help from people who have been therebefore. But the help he got from Wheeler at the beginning of hiscareer started it all.
“I had nothing of substance in my life at the time,” Wrightsaid. “His passing was the catalyst for my growth as a person.”
