'It's been an unforgettable ride': Darnell Wright writes message to Tennessee fans, coaches
Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright announced on Thursday his intentions to enter the 2023 NFL Draft but will remain with the Vols through the Orange Bowl on December 30.
Wright explained his decision and thanked Tennessee fans and coaches in a message posted on social media:
“Vol Nation,
“Thank you for being with us every step of the way. This season has been so much fun. Together with my teammates, we put countless hours of work in during the offseason to get us to this point. It’s been an unforgettable ride.
“Thanks to my high school coaches, Coach Seals, and Coach Cassell, for helping put me in a position to play major college football.
“And to Coach Elarbee — he is the goat. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to play for him the last two years. I have learned a lot from him. Our o-line room is an unbreakable bond that I have been proud to be a part of.
“Thanks to my mom, the most caring and understanding person in the world. I love you so much.
Can't thank @Vol_Football enough it's been a hell of a time. To all my teammates that helped me get to this point can't thank y'all enough and to the fans that believed in us along the way I'm happy to say I left it better than I found it #GBO pic.twitter.com/os1YUO4KwG
— Darnell Wright (@darnell_5232) December 15, 2022
“IT’s been an honor to be a Tennessee Volunteer for four years, and I have no regrets. After talking it over with my mom and my coaches, I will begin the next chapter of my career and enter my name into the 2023 NFL Draft.
“This place and my teammates have given me so much. Therefor, I can’t wait to take the field again one more time in the Orange and White in the Orange Bowl on December 30.
“See you all in Miami!
“Darnell Wright. VFL.”
Wright was a five-star prospect in the 2019 recruiting cycle according to the On3 Consensus. He was ranked No. 6 nationally in the class, No. 2 among offensive tackles and No. 1 in the state of West Virginia, where he attended Huntington High School in Huntington, W.V.
Up Next: No. 6 Tennessee (10-2) vs. No. 7 Clemson (11-2), Orange Bowl, December 30, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. earlier this week listed Wright in his “just missed” category at offensive tackle, after ranking his top 10 draft-eligible prospects at the position.
Wright is the third Tennessee player to declare for the draft, following wide receivers Cedric Tillman and Jalin Hyatt. Tillman, a redshirt senior, and Hyatt, who had a breakout junior year, will not play in the Orange Bowl.
The sixth-ranked Vols (10-2) face No. 7 Clemson (11-2) in the Orange Bowl on December 30 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The game will be televised by ESPN.
Wright, who announced earlier this week that he will play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl, was a 2022 All-SEC First Team pick by the Associated Press, USA Today and the league’s coaches. He was a two-time SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week after his performances against Alabama and Kentucky.
He was a All-SEC Freshman in 2019 and a preseason All-SEC pick back in August.
