NCAA Football Rumors: Arizona Linebacker Scooby Wright Turning Pro
Sad news for Arizona football fans — star linebacker Scooby Wright's college football career is over. But no, it's not because he's injured; he's leaving because he will forego the rest of his college eligibility to go pro.
The multi-awarded and highly touted college star announced his decision to apply for the NFL Draft after the conclusion of the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday. As a junior player, he had the option to return and complete his senior season or jump right to the pro ranks.
But Wright's career in college football didn't go down as perfect as he would have envisioned it. In fact, the injuries he suffered might have been the major reason why he elected to turn pro. In his team's first game this season, he went down with a meniscus injury, only able to come back a couple of games later. After that, he again had a serious foot sprain; but luckily he went on to recover in time for the New Mexico Bowl.
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Coming into the game with eight tackles for the whole season, he performed a lot better against New Mexico, making 15 tackles and two sacks. But his performance in his junior season shouldn't be the basis for his rising stock and potential.
As a sophomore for the Wildcats, he produced remarkable numbers, including 163 tackles, 14 sacks, and six forced fumbles, not to mention winning the Nagurski Award. Although he's not expected to be the top overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, several teams are going to be intrigued at what the talented linebacker can offer.
It wouldn't be a surprise if he is picked high in the draft. Aside from the Nagurski Award, he also earned a couple of other defensive awards, namely the Chuck Bednarikk and Lombardi Awards.
During the announcement, Wright gave credit to his school and team. "I couldn't have asked to be around a better group of people that I have been over the last three years at Arizona," he said.
