JohnnyJasper
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247 thinks there are six better TE's in the country then Brock Wright?
Seems like a bit of a stretch.
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247 thinks there are six better TE's in the country then Brock Wright?
no. just 5.
SIAP, I don't look at ESPN often.
#1 TE, #29 OA. 4 star.
Sorry I am not hip on how people rank who but #29 OA means #29 out of all recruits, right? How is he a 4 Star?
Just curious.
If you're a 5 star talent, you're a 5 star. Services shouldn't place limits on that.
They also shouldn't under-rank kids that don't participate in camps either, but, here we are.
They also shouldn't under-rank kids that don't participate in camps either, but, here we are.
this is one of the truest statements I've read regarding recruiting in a long time.
Anyone know the status of Wright's recovery from the injury that he incurred before the bowl game? Is he expected to be at full strength and able to compete for some PT this fall?
I thought so. I haven't heard much of anything recently
He had a catch in the Blue-Gold game in 2nd half. He looked good and the defense could not bring him down.
I remember hearing his name during the game (and I know he's been healthy) but, if you're referring to the play I'm thinking of (sideline catch, several defenders dragging, eventually forcing out of bounds) then it was actually Kmet.
But, my memory could be fuzzy.
He had a catch in the Blue-Gold game in 2nd half. He looked good and the defense could not bring him down.
Anyone know the status of him didn't hear much about him all year?
When Brock Wright enrolled at Notre Dame for the spring semester of 2017, one of the nation’s top prep tight ends launched a promising collegiate career true to his four-star ranking.
Twenty-four games and two receptions in two seasons later, Wright is determined to escalate the slow arc out of the gate in the pass-receiving department.
Wright attacked January and February under the auspices of Director of Football Development Matt Balis. Listed at 260 pounds during his sophomore season in 2018, a new-and-improved version of the Cypress, Texas product emerged at a sleeker 248 pounds.
The difference on the field has been even greater than the 12 pounds lost.
“Brock is as strong as an ox,” said offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Chip Long earlier this month. “Being 260 and now 248 has (made) a huge difference for him. The way he’s moving…He’s confident in the offense…He doesn’t have to think what foot (to) step with.
“He’s been a surprise for us. I’m really proud of him.”
Indeed, the much more nimble-footed Wright looks and moves like a completely different player, prompting some to wonder if someone other than Wright was wearing his No. 89 this spring. Nope. No. 89 is indeed 247Sports’ No. 67 overall prospect and No. 2 tight end in the country from 2017.
“Just talking to Coach Long about it, (he thought) I should drop a little more weight, get some more flexibility, just get in the weight room with Coach Balis and start working on those things.
“Just getting looser, running a lot better, and feeling a lot better.”
When Wright found a niche out of the gate at tight end in 2017 – he was the lead blocking fullback in red-, white- and blue-zone snaps – there seemed little reason to shed the pounds.
And yet two seasons later with two receptions for 12 yards, including an element-of-surprise three-yard touchdown reception at Wake Forest in ‘18, the Irish were looking for a pass-catching complement to Cole Kmet, who also seems well-equipped to emerge as a significant threat with the departure of Alize Mack.
“There was no obligation to put on a bunch of weight,” said Wright of his first-year approach. “You definitely want to gain strength, which is a big part of coming in early. But (the weight loss) probably helped (my blocking) a little bit by being more flexible and being able to bend more.
“We have so many resources in the weight room. I added a lot more stretching every day. (The strength and conditioning staff tends) to the individual needs of each guy. Doing extra time in there really helped.”
Getting Wright and Kmet at their best was essential with the loss of Mack and no additional help at tight end coming until 2020 when highly-touted prospects Michael Mayer and Kevin Bauman arrive. Red-shirt freshman tight ends Tommy Tremble and George Takacs are the understudies at the position this spring.
“We’ve been in the offense with Coach Long coming on three years,” said Wright of Kmet and himself. “We have a better feel for the playbook, which allows us to help the younger guys as well. Everything is coming to together the way they plan it out for us.”
Wright gives no indication that his role during his first two years in the program frustrated him. Playing good soldier, Wright knew his job and accepted it. He was not a prolific pass-catcher in high school per se with 30 receptions for 491 yards and four touchdowns during his senior season at Cy-Fair High School.
“In high school, I really didn’t catch the ball that much,” Wright said. “I just knew they’d find a spot wherever they needed me to help. In this offense, you have to be able to (block and catch). It doesn’t matter what the labels are. We just have to do what’s required of the offense.”
Particularly during his freshman season, that role mainly was at the fullback position as a block-first, second- and third- tight end.
“It’s a little different, especially being off the line,” said Wright of his 2017-18 role. “You kind of have to read things differently. It took a little while to get used to that, but working with Coach Long, you figure those things out.”
Wright quickly learned that playing for Long would be no day at the beach.
“He’s demanding, but he pushes us because he knows what he can get out of us,” said Wright of Long. “He wants the best out of us. It’s great to see that during spring ball, especially with the younger guys. He’s just pushing us to be the best we can be.”
At 248 pounds and now lighter on his feet, the best Wright can be has changed since his 260-pound days when Long was disappointed in his tight ends’ inability to get yards after the catch.
“The amount of yards we left out there last year was absolutely embarrassing,” Long said. “Being able to get yards after contact is one of our No. 1 (goals) this year.”
“You’ve got to practice every day getting your feet up after the catch and breaking tackles,” Wright added. “That just comes with practice.”
Whatever Wright’s role is moving forward, he’s better prepared for what he was able to accomplish under Balis and Co. this winter.
“He does a great job of putting us in positions where you have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable,” said Wright of Balis. “He uses the word chaos a lot. He says in a game, there is going to be chaos.
“So by him training us and preparing us, you really saw how that helped us in situations late in the game. Regardless what my role was, it was just a fun season overall. Going 12-0 during the regular season, I had never experienced anything like that. It was pretty incredible.”
The best is on tap for Brock Wright – run-blocker, pass-blocker and yes, catcher of passes, too.