Darnell Wright keeps going
Tennessee OT Darnell Wright is turning into one of
those guys. More specifically, he seems to be improving some aspect of his game every time you watch him. Wednesday was no exception for Wright, who played very well this past season for Josh Heupel and the
Volunteers after a bit of an up-and-down start to his career.
Physically, Wright has everything he needs to be an effective mauler in the NFL: size (6-5, 342), length (34 1/8-inch arms, 82 3/8-inch wing), and the ability to sink, bend and recover on the edge against quick athletes. In run drills here, he’s had dominant moments. His pass protection work has delivered some impressive stretches, too.
Wright and
Iowa State edge rusher
Will McDonald IV (who had another good day Wednesday) had a terrific back-to-back, one-on-one set, in which Wright scored a clean pass-pro win before McDonald came back and got him with one of his signature spin moves. It’s important to note, though, that McDonald has been beating most guys here with that move on the first try. He needed two, in this matchup, to beat Wright.
Wright has been one of the best offensive linemen this week. He and American squad teammates
O’Cyrus Torrence (Florida) and
Matthew Bergeron (
Syracuse) all have had very nice moments. Wright was able to catch the country’s eye this fall with a terrific showing vs.
Alabama’s
Will Anderson Jr., and he has only gotten better since. The arrow is pointed firmly up on the Tennessee big man.
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