Dec 19, 2015; Albuquerque, NM, USA; Arizona Wildcats linebacker Scooby Wright III (33) tackles New Mexico Lobos running back Richard McQuarley (3) for a loss during the first half in the 2015 New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium. Photo Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona junior linebacker Scooby Wright announced that he will enter the NFL Draft, shortly after completing a dominating performance in Saturday’s New Mexico Bowl.
The decision comes after Wright struggled with injuries most of the season.
“I’m healthy, that was the first thing, I was just playing the way I usually play,” Wright said. “I’ve decided that I’m entering the 2016 NFL Draft. I feel like I’ve accomplished everything I wanted to in college and I feel like this is the right point.”
Wright was playing for the first time in nearly three months due to a foot injury. He had 15 tackles and two sacks in the Wildcats’ 45-37 victory over New Mexico.
Wright had a mammoth season as a sophomore in 2014 to cement himself as one of the best players in college football. He finished the season with 163 tackles — 29 for losses — and six forced fumbles while winning the Bronko Nagurski, Rotary Lombardi and Chuck Bednarik awards as the nation’s top defensive player.
He was lightly regarded coming out of high school before becoming one of the best defensive players in Arizona history.
“We thought he was going to be a great player when we signed him,” Wildcats coach Rich Rodriguez said after the New Mexico Bowl. “I don’t know why the other teams didn’t. He’s done everything he can to make himself better every year.
“Scooby Wright is a talented guy that loves football, but he’s also one of the hardest working football players I’ve had the pleasure of coaching.”
Wright is projected to be selected in the second or third round, depending on his health.
