Thrust into the starting running back position after preseason All-American Mason King suffered a season-ending injury, Illinois State’s Wenkers Wright is ready to run.
In his first start of the season September 7 at North Alabama, Wright led the Redbirds’ rushing attack with 153 yards on the ground, including a 54-yard run late in the game to help secure a 24-17 victory.
The senior running back is again expected to start in this weekend’s Redbird football (1-1) home opener against Western Illinois (0-2), Saturday, September 14 at noon.
Wright’s journey into college football started in Haiti where he and his brother grew up in an orphanage. When Wright was 6 and his brother was 8, they were adopted in 2007, by a family from Indiana.
“Having a spiritual background and a loving family solidified everything,” he said. “I have three non-biological siblings I grew up with, and they are the world to me. We love just the same if not harder than everybody else.”
As kids, Wright and his brother loved playing soccer. Then in fourth grade, Wright tried football.
“My first play was a 79-yard touchdown outside run, and I couldn’t stop smiling,” Wright said. “And now I’m here playing college football.”
Even now, after much success, he maintains a humble approach to the game.
“I try to keep it positive,” he said. “I don’t smack-talk on the field. I just let my play do the talking.”
But opponents shouldn’t mistake his kindness for weakness.
“I consider myself a power back, and it’s football, so I love the contact,” Wright said. “I’m never going to shy away from the contact. I might miss out on a few yards just to hit you, and then we’ll see if you think twice about it on the next play.”
“I try to keep it positive. I don’t smack-talk on the field. I just let my play do the talking.”
Wenkers Wright
Sam Ojuri, running backs coach, said Wright arrived on campus “super raw but very talented.”
“Wenkers came in with me when I first got here, so he’s my really true guy that I’ve developed,” Ojuri said. “Right now, he’s at the point where he can be on the field every down. He’s an every-down back right now.
“Off the field, he’s a 4.0 student, a great kid, a great leader. He’s been a blessing to have and such a breath of fresh air to have somebody with such consistency in their play and their attitude every day.”
Saturday’s game plan will include getting Wright as many touches as possible, Ojuri said.
“We want to get him going early and see if we can get him hot later in the game,” he said. “We want to get the ball in his hands.”
Wright grew up in Floyds Knobs, Indiana, just outside of Louisville, Kentucky. He graduated from Floyd Central High School as an honors student and a member of the National Honor Society. His gift for academics has continued. At Illinois State, Wright graduated in three years with a degree in business administration and is currently in the first year of the MBA program.
In high school, he was a standout all four years in football and ranks fourth all-time in career rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and points scored. When it came time to pick a college, he had other offers, but none with the personal touch that Illinois State provided.
“Illinois State was more meaningful than any other offer,” Wright said. “Every single day they’d reach out to see how I was doing.”
Coach Harold Etheridge, offensive line coach, was his recruiting coach and the key to the process, Wright said.
This is Family Weekend, so Wright’s parents, Shawn and Betsy (who never miss a game) will be in the stands. His oldest brother, Noah, who lives in Boston, is coming also. He said his parents are easy to spot.
“Oh, my gosh, my parents have number 32 red jerseys with my name on the back,” he said. “And if I don’t see them, my dad’s going to yell my name during pre-game.”
When he’s done with football, Wright has his eye on a career in sales, specifically medical device sales. He’s inspired by Redbird Hall of Famer Boomer Grigsby’s career path in that industry and is working on networking and lining up job shadowing now.
Regarding this current group of players, Wright likes being part of a team that’s been together for a while, and he really loves the big bodies up front doing the blocking.
“The linemen play crazy and are laying down their life really, throwing their bodies in front of somebody else just so I can get a few yards, always got to give them the credit,” he said. “This team has been the same guys for the past couple of years, so we’re starting to be a little older group, and we’re figuring out how to finish.”
Wright said his coaches preach preparation and training and to never underestimate an opponent. Every game, he said, is the most important game.
He’s excited to play in front of the home crowd this week: “This is what we dream of, getting the chance to come out here and play the game, to show them what you’re made of, and show out for the school.”
Tickets are available to see Wright and his teammates host six home games this season. The opener, September 14, against Western Illinois, is part of Family Weekend.
