Jeremiah Wright ready to attack spring camp like never before
AUBURN — It’s been a wild ride for Jeremiah Wright entering his junior season.
Wright spent the first three seasons bouncing between offensive and defensive line as two different coaching staffs tried to find the right fit for Wright. On top of that, Wright has battled injuries that held him out the 2021 season and multiple spring camps.
Now, finally, Wright is going through a spring camp healthy, and he’s doing it after growing more comfortable along the offensive line over the last year and a half.
“It went well. This is my first time being in spring ball. The whole time I’ve been here, I’ve been injured. It’s my first time, I’m very excited. Everything I’m focused on now is being under control and making sure I’m not over-aggressive right now. There are a lot of emotions right now, I’m ready to attack, so just being under control,” Wright said on Tuesday.
“Fundamentals and technique, that’s what I’m focused on right now. This is my second year truly being under Coach Thornton and taking everything in. The technique part is what I’m focused on now. I felt settled in last year when I finally made that move to come back. I was coming off that ACL injury and finally we have an O-line coach I’m buying into. It’s good. It’s going to be very good.”
Wright is projected to start at right guard alongside right tackle Izavion Miller, Connor Lew at center, Dillon Wade at left guard and Percy Lewis at left tackle. Wright says Wade is “doing really well” with the move inside, and added about Lewis, “I’ve never seen someone that big move like he can. It’s unique.”
Wright says the group is bonding quickly.
“It’s different. The chemistry, we can hold each other accountable,” Wright said. “Anybody messes up, we can get after each other, but we make sure everybody knows what they are doing. We hold each other to the highest standard.
“We’re not trying to be like we were last year, we’re trying to keep elevating our game each and every year. Someone can get better than you every day. We’re trying to outwork each other, push each other, push the defense. When I come out there, I’ve got the juice. I bring everybody along with me and we go from there.”
Wright feels like his aggression is his strong suit, but also understands that playing under control is paramount. Wright isn’t a stranger to a late hit or two, and is working on controlling his emotions and playing with a high level of focus this spring.
“(Coach Jake Thornton) gets after me, especially when I’m high and ready to go. Sometimes my fundamentals go out the window, so he’ll bring me back in and tell me to control myself,” Wright said.
“It’s like a switch. You have to know when to turn it on and when to turn it off. Every time I get out there, my switch is always on and I’m ready to get after someone and attack. I also have to know my situation, my opponent, I have to know down and distance, just transitioning how I need to play and who I’m going against.”
Auburn continues spring camp this week as they trek towards A-Day on April 6.
