The Journey of 2014 DE Michael Wright

[HOUSTON] - Look ahead at the class of 2015, and you will find a sizable group of athletes that have already earned their first division one scholarship.  Since we reached the digital age, the recruiting process has started earlier and earlier with each passing year.  That can be seen as beneficial to some and harmful to others.   In the case of defensive end Michael Wright, who grew from six-foot-four, 190-pounds at the end of his junior season to six-foot-five, 220 pounds entering his senior season, the recruiting process needed to slow down to keep up with his development.

GAINRecruiting.com shares the journey of Michael Wright in his own words culminating his signed letter of intent to join the New Mexico State Aggies.

THE BEGINNING

"I started playing football in the 7th grade and I started by playing defensive tackle.  Really, in my first two years playing middle school football, I wasn't really that good.   I didn't play very physical."

LIGHT TURNS ON

"Going into my freshman year of high school, the light started to turn on for me.   I knew I wanted to play football at the next level, and I knew I needed to help my mom out by securing a scholarship.  During my freshman season, I only played on our freshman team, but I started to love to hit people.   Then, as I entered my sophomore year, I really began to grow taller and became faster at the same time.   It all started to click and I was playing really good football on the junior varsity team. It prepared me well for my first varsity experience as a junior.   Entering my junior season, I was six-foot-four, 190-pounds, and I ended up rotating at the defensive end position with a senior who recorded 13 sacks that year.  I finished with 4 sacks and 9 tackles for loss."

TRANSFORMATION TO A D1 PROSPECT

"I worked really hard in the off-season right after my junior season concluded.   During the spring, I made it out to the NIKE Combine, National Underclassmen Combine, and a Prep Football Combine where I tested really well but I was still a bit undersized at under 200-pounds.   It made me focus more on my calorie intake and I began averaging around 25,000 calories per week.   Even when I got to summer camps at Baylor and Abilene-Christian, I was still a little more lean than I wanted to be, but by the time we reported to fall camp I had put on over 20 pounds and grew an inch to be at six-foot-five, 220-pounds.   We started our season off with a bang going 4-0 but then hit some adversity and lost our last six consecutive games.   I ended my senior season with 43 tackles (11 for loss), nine sacks, six pass deflections, and three forced fumbles."

RECRUITMENT

"Abilene Christian said they were impressed with my junior season.  At their camp, they told me I had a tremendous speed rush and arm length.  They wanted to see me get bigger and stronger while maintaining my explosiveness."

"Because I didn't have many schools coming after me, I didn't get my senior film out until after the season.   The first school to respond to my film was San Diego State about two and a half weeks after my senior season ended.   New Mexico State reached out shortly thereafter.   Both schools took their time to gather information on me.  San Diego was the first to extend an official visit invitation for the weekend of January 17th and then during the week leading up to the visit I received my first scholarship offer from New Mexico State.   San Diego State followed up shortly after with an offer."

"I loved the city of San Diego and thought San Diego State was a great university but in the end after I visited New Mexico State it just felt right."

"Prairie View A&M, Houston, Arkansas State, and Alcorn State all expressed interest in me after they saw my senior film.  Miami(OH) called me late in January and discussed an official visit but it never progressed."

NEW MEXICO STATE

"Coach (Shawn) Johnson recruited me for New Mexico State, and he pursued really hard.   Coach Johnson relates great with his players, and he is a hilarious guy.  Their defensive line Coach (Kerry) Locklin told me how excited he was to work with me and develop me into a great defensive end.  He's coached in the NFL and believes I have that type of ceiling with my talent, and said he plans to help me fulfill my aspirations.  Overall, I fell in love with the coaching staff at New Mexico State and feel very good about the team they are building towards a couple years from now."

CLOSING

"Signing Day was a great experience; a day I have always dreamed of.  I want to let the New Mexico State fans know I am playing for them and excited to join the school.  I look forward to being a part of many wins and bringing championships home in the future.  I plan to major in communications with a focus in television broadcasting."