Javin Wright sets his stance and effortlessly backpedals 15 yards before swatting a pass away. You could say the Hamilton sophomore has high-level football in his blood because, well, he does. His dad, Toby Wright, was a star at Dobson High and the University of Nebraska, before playing six seasons in the NFL with Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and Washington Redskins.
The younger Wright says his dad is quick to prioritize and football isn’t always at the top of the list.
“In school, off the field put 100 percent into everything you do,” Wright said to Sports360AZ.com.
The Huskies are hoping Wright’s hard work pays off this fall as the anchor of a secondary which is looking to erase an uncharacteristic 7-5 season in 2016.
The rangy, 6-foot-2, 170-pounder was Hamilton’s fourth-leading tackler (52) and his 12 pass deflections were more than nearly the entire team combined. His “upside” is apparent, even to his teammates.
“It’s like playing against a Division 1 corner,” junior quarterback Tyler Shough said. “He always makes me better and hopefully I can do the same for him.”
Wright, who got the nickname “Buddha” from his parents for being a chubby little kid, frequently watches film and tape of current players like Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Alabama star and sure-fire first-round pick Reuben Foster with his dad.
That is, when he’s not perfecting his craft between the lines.
“We go on the field Saturday mornings and I practice my technique and different situations on the field,” Wright said. “My man coverage technique, it was different. It was changed to be more stable. Now I can cover more short routes.”
His hard work on and off the field has paid off. Wright already has an offer from Arizona and interest from ASU and others.
“He’s going to be a great football player,” interim coach Dick Baniszewski explained to Sports360AZ.com. “More importantly great kid, great character kid.”
The Wright stuff, indeed.
