By Kelly Bornemann, UF Communications
Major Wright likes to make an impact. Whether he is tackling an opponent, intercepting a pass, or simply going to class, Wright knows that his actions can make a difference for those around him.
Since suiting up for the Orange and Blue in 2007, Wright has made himself known for delivering hard hits on his opponents. This tradition started within his first month of practice in Gainesville, when the former St. Thomas Aquinas safety flattened high school rival and former Lakeland Dreadnaught, Chris Rainey. Rainey had broken through the line and into the secondary before meeting the ground courtesy of Wright. The following day, his black stripe was removed, signifying his arrival as a member of the Gators.
Over the past three seasons, he has continued to demonstrate his strength by playing in every contest. As a free safety, Wright loves sitting in the backfield reading the quarterbacks' eyes and making crucial blocks on the opponent's wide receivers.
Just three plays into the 2009 FedEx BCS National Championship Game, Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford attempted a deep pass to wide receiver Manuel Johnson, who was plowed into the Florida sideline after an unexpected blow from Wright.
“He pump-faked me but kept looking the other way, so I knew he had to be going over there,” Wright recalled. “I leaned that way and ended up making a great play that set the tone of the game. I was actually shocked, like 'Wow, did I just do that?'”
Four drives later, Wright stopped the Sooners from scoring when he intercepted Bradford's pass on first and goal from the six-yard line with three seconds left in the half to send the teams into the locker rooms deadlocked at 7-7. The momentum created by the turnover carried through to the second half, as Florida defeated Oklahoma, 24-14, for its second national championship in three years.
Now almost 10 months later, Wright is still using his ability to read the game. He is currently tied for the team lead with three interceptions this season, bringing his career total to eight, which also matches Ahmad Black for the highest total of any current UF player. He and his fellow safeties anchor the SEC's most efficient pass defense.
“When you've got Major Wright back there and you see how hard he hits, you play with a lot of confidence because you know he'll cover for you,” said cornerback Joe Haden.
Wright takes his life away from football seriously as well.
Having been previously recognized as an SEC Academic Honor Roll selection and as a member of the UF Football Leadership Committee, Wright's impact continues to be displayed off the field through community service efforts in his hometown of Miramar, Fla.
“I like helping out when I go back home, especially talking to kids,” Wright beamed.
He recently visited his little sister's dance studio to share some moves and talk to young kids about his experiences playing football for the Gators and the importance of staying in school to get a good education.
“I had no idea they were watching me and listening to things I do. They had seen clips of me on Coach Meyer's Web site and had really looked at things I was doing,” he said. “It changes the way you act when you know kids that young are watching your every move.”
Knowing that his younger teammates are also looking up to him challenges Wright to be a leader. He is always conscious to put his best foot forward and show them how to succeed.
“I'm always trying to lead by example by going out there and being on time for meetings. I tell the young guys to come in early and watch a little extra film and do things on their own so when they get older it becomes a habit,” Wright said.
Every spare moment that Wright has is somehow filled with football: in the morning before meetings, after his classes and at night he sits down to review the playbooks and watch more film. Doing so increases his chances of improving his skills on the gridiron, even if just by one step, from week-to-week.
“He's an extremely high-character guy and football means the world to him,” Meyer acknowledged. “He's always where he's supposed to be academically. If you get yourself a whole bunch of Major Wrights, you're playing excellent defense.”
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