Film study: Notre Dame TE commit Brock Wright
TE Brock Wright, 6-5, 238; Cypress (Texas) Cy-Fair.
The numbers: Wright caught 21 passes for 290 yards and one touchdown in his junior season at Cy-Fair. He also helped block for a rushing attack that totaled 2,202 yards in 11 games. The Bobcats (6-5) lost in the first round of the UIL Class 6A Division I playoffs.
The rankings: Rivals – Four stars, No. 1 tight end. 247Sports – Four stars, No. 2 tight end.
FILM BREAKDOWN
First impression: Wright is a punishing tight end. Rather than a film filled with big catches, his highlights are more often crushing blocks. His solid receiving skills make him a well-rounded tight end, a rarity on the high school level. Wright is a more complete tight end prospect than any of Notre Dame’s current tight ends were as juniors.
Strengths: Wright’s blocking prowess can’t be overstated. He would likely have a fairly high ranking if only graded as an offensive tackle rather than a tight end. But he’s a natural athlete as a pass-catching tight end as well. He uses his size and strength in both aspects of the position. He can overpower linebackers and defensive linemen to clear a path for the running game. As a receiver, he’s a big target who isn’t afraid to make catches in traffic. Though his run-heavy offense didn’t use him very much as a receiver, he still led the team in receptions.
He did what? (:17) Running a seam between a linebacker and a safety, Wright is thrown a pass in between the two. Wright spots the ball and raises up to make the catch. Neither defender is able to tackle him, but multiple other players converge on him to take him down … (:53) Wright starts the play blocking, but then spins to turn for a play-action pass. He hauls in the ball after stretching out for it one-handed and runs for a first down along the sideline. The big man is nimble as well as strong … (1:48) At the point of attack on a stretch play, Wright drives his defender nearly 10 yards down the field before taking him to the ground.
Competition level: Texas has earned its reputation as one of the top football states in the country. So measuring the competition level Wright has faced has to start there. But the teams on Cy-Fair’s schedule didn’t have strong seasons. The Bobcats only faced two teams in the top 100 in state according to MaxPreps: The Woodland (No. 18) and Cypress Ranch (No. 70). The area is still populated with future FBS players at several schools.
Left to prove: Wright is polished beyond his age. He will need to make the typical advancements as a college player, but at the very least he should be a reliable blocker. In his senior season, it would be nice to see his team rely on him to make more plays in the passing game to get a better sense for his ceiling as a receiver. At times, Wright is simply left open rather than him working to get open by creating separation. An offseason emphasis on route-running would be worthwhile.
tjames@ndinsider.com | 574-235-6214 | Twitter: @TJamesNDI
