Milton Wright (American football) explained

Milton Wright
Position:Wide receiver
Birth Date:28 September 2000
Birth Place:Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:3
Weight Lb:195
High School:Christian Academy of Louisville
College:Purdue
Undraftedyear:2023
Pastteams:
Pfr:WrigMi01

Milton James Wright (born September 28, 2000) is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at Purdue from 2019 to 2021, before being ruled ineligible for the 2022 season due to academic reasons.

Early life

Wright was born on September 28, 2000, in Louisville, Kentucky.[1] [2] He attended the Christian Academy of Louisville and played wide receiver for the football team, helping them win the class 2A state championship while posting 67 receptions for 1,010 yards as a senior.[3] He was ranked a four-star recruit, the third-best player in the state and the 159th-best nationally.[4] [5] Wright committed to play college football for the Purdue Boilermakers.[6]

College career

As a true freshman at Purdue in 2019, Wright played in 11 games, five as a starter, and recorded 18 receptions for 288 yards with one score.[7] [8] The following year, he started all six games in the COVID-19-shortened season and made 24 catches for 305 yards with two touchdowns.[1] [9] His best performance came against Illinois, when he posted 100 receiving yards on six catches with one score.[1]

In 2021, Wright had his best season; he played and started all 12 games while being the third receiver on the depth chart, tallying 57 receptions for 732 yards with seven touchdowns, being named fourth-team All-Big Ten Conference by Phil Steele.[5] His season included an eight-catch, 213-yard performance against Northwestern while scoring three touchdowns; he also had 98 receiving yards and a score against Ohio State.[5] [10] Wright missed Purdue's bowl game at the end of the season due to academic issues.[11]

Wright was set to be Purdue's top receiver heading into the 2022 season; however, his academic issues persisted, despite him skipping spring practice to focus on it, and in May 2022 it was announced that he was no longer on the team and was ruled ineligible for the season.[12] [13] After the 2022 season, Wright announced he was entering the NCAA transfer portal.[14] However, he later opted not to continue his college career and entered the 2023 NFL supplemental draft.[15] He finished his college football career with 99 catches for 1,325 yards and 10 touchdowns in 29 games.[5] He went unselected in the Supplemental Draft.[16]

Professional career

Los Angeles Chargers

After going unselected in the Supplemental Draft, Wright was signed by the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent on July 26, 2023.[17] He was waived by the Chargers on August 29.[18]

BC Lions

Wright signed with the BC Lions of the CFL on January 16, 2024.[19] On April 2, 2024, the Lions added Wright to the retirement list, signaling the end of his professional football career.[20]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Milton Wright. Purdue Boilermakers.
  2. Web site: Milton Wright. ESPN.
  3. News: Wright proves 'he belongs'. Journal & Courier. Newspapers.com. August 10, 2019. B1, B3. Carmin, Mike.
  4. News: UK, UofL football make top five for Christian Academy's Milton Wright. The Courier-Journal. Lourim, Jake. June 21, 2018.
  5. Web site: Milton Wright, WR, Purdue NFL Supplemental Draft Scouting Report. Pro Football Network. Valentine, Ian. June 21, 2023.
  6. Web site: Four-star receiver Milton Wright commits to Purdue. Rivals.com. November 9, 2018. Neubert, Brian.
  7. Web site: September 4, 2021 . 0 Days to Purdue Football: Milton Wright . September 24, 2023 . HammerAndRails.com.
  8. News: Wright working to elevate performance. Palladium-Item. Newspapers.com. March 22, 2020. Carmin, Mike. D2.
  9. Receiver Available in Supplemental Draft. Sports Illustrated. June 17, 2023. Chamerblain, Gene.
  10. News: Wright leads Purdue to Wrigley Field win over Northwestern. The Indianapolis Star. Newspapers.com. November 21, 2021. B8. King, Sam.
  11. News: Carmin . Mike . May 16, 2022 . Purdue receiver Milton Wright ruled academically ineligible for 2022 season . . September 24, 2023.
  12. Purdue loses top wide receiver Milton Wright over academic issue: report. Sports Illustrated. Parks, James. May 14, 2022.
  13. Web site: Sources: WR Milton Wright academically ineligible, no longer on team. Rivals.com. Dienhart, Tom. May 14, 2022.
  14. Web site: Purdue football: WR Milton Wright enters NCAA transfer portal. 247Sports. Weinstein, Robbie. April 30, 2023.
  15. News: June 17, 2023 . NFL supplemental draft returns for first time since 2019. Purdue's Milton Wright eligible . . September 24, 2023.
  16. Web site: Grindley . Wyatt . July 11, 2023 . No Players Selected In 2023 Supplemental Draft . September 24, 2023 . NFLTradeRumors.co.
  17. News: Katson . Alex . July 26, 2023 . Chargers sign WR Milton Wright . . September 24, 2023.
  18. Web site: August 29, 2023 . Los Angeles Chargers Reduce Roster to 53 Players . September 24, 2023 . Chargers.com.
  19. News: Baker . Matt . Lions sign former Philadelphia WR Fulgham & three more on offence . BCLions.com . January 16, 2024 . January 19, 2024.
  20. Web site: BC Lions Transactions . 2024-04-11 . BC Lions . en.