Jason Wright spent Sunday in a hotel with his father, Sam Wright, waiting for his name to be called during the 2004 NFL Draft.
Unfortunately for the Wildcats’ leading rusher the past two years, that moment never came.
For the first time since 1996, no NU player was drafted, but several former Cats agreed to contracts.
The 5-foot-10 Wright came to terms with the San Francisco 49ers, and former NU safety Louis Ayeni signed a deal with the Indianapolis Colts that included a $25,000 signing bonus.
“I fell into the perfect situation,” Wright said. “My family is really excited.”
There was plenty of excitement at the end of the day, but most of the time, the general feeling was one of worry as it began to look as though Wright wouldn’t be drafted.
Wright received calls from Buffalo and Tampa Bay at the beginning of the sixth round telling him they might take him when their chances came around. But each time, they passed on NU’s fourth all-time leading rusher.
“(I got) anxious when (I) realized their pick was next,” Wright said. “But when you don’t get a phone call when they’re on the clock, you know you’re not going to get taken.”
Sixteen running backs were taken in the draft, including Tennessee’s Troy Fleming and Ottawa Kansas’ Derrick Ward. Fleming, who was picked by the Titans, rushed for 309 yards in his career with the Volunteers. Ward, who was selected by the Jets, didn’t play NCAA Division I, Division II or Division III, but competed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Wright received a call from San Francisco early in the day telling him the 49ers would not be able to draft him, but wanted to sign him if no one else picked him.
“They let me know right off the bat they wanted to draft me but couldn’t because they had to shore up their defense,” Wright said.
“To show their commitment, they guaranteed they won’t bring any other running backs in. They run a lot of that West Coast offense, and I can compete for the second-string job.”
The 49ers have a starter in fourth-year veteran Kevan Barlow, but Wright’s pass-catching abilities will allow him to see action on third downs, and he could play on special teams.
After the draft, Wright finalized basic contract parameters with the ‘Niners, including a $15,000 signing bonus.
“My immediate feeling is relief ’cause I kind of suffered right along with him vicariously,” Sam Wright said. “I’m just as relieved as he is.”
Wright, a California native, will be playing close to home. The flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco is only 45 minutes.
“That’s probably one of the greatest gifts of all,” Wright’s father said. “It makes it real easy for us to get out and see him.”
As for his signing bonus, Wright said he’s saving it until he can buy a new car worthy of replacing his current one, a self-labeled piece of junk.
“When I get a new car,” Wright said, laughing, “I’m going to get a really nice one.”
