By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine/TV
Every year Louisiana has some diamond in the rough recruits who don’t get the early national pub but deserve it, and these guys end up being a big-time signees and produce at the next level.
This year, one of those big-time players comes out of Alexandria Senior High, Jeremiah Wright, who I’ve seen play in person since his sophomore year when I watched the Trojans scrimmage at Hahnville. This kid has all the tools to be great in college.
Wright has great feet, is a hard worker, goes full throttle in uniform and to me has the stuff to be a Division I starter as either a defensive end or tackle at 6-1, 275 pounds.
I’ve seen all the defensive linemen coming back in Louisiana, and he’s one of the best among the returners. At 275 pounds, I think he’s quick enough to play defensive end in college, fitting in the right system because of his feet.
Wright is pleased to be well-coached at ASH.
“My head coach, Thomas Bachman, is a great leader and he always holds us to a high standard. My position coach, I would say, is very gritty and always expects the best from us.
“Our team coming into the year is pretty young, but the people we do have are hard workers with lots of talent.”
Wright gives his father great credit for his progression to being a college prospect as he enters his senior season.
“My dad has had a great impact on my life because he provided for literally everyone who has been through our household,” said Wright. “He’s responsible for me playing sports because in my opinion he could’ve gone pretty far with his talents, but he had me and my older brother at a young age.”
As he looks ahead to this fall, he looks north for District 2-5A competition at a high level.
“I can’t wait for this year. I love playing teams like West Monroe and Ruston because that is great competition for our program every year.”
As for his personal targets for improvement to reach the next level, it’s pretty simple.
“I just need to work on my fast twitch and ball get-off to play football in college one day,” he told me.
Jeremiah Wright Tidbits
This year he’s been to camps at Harding in Arkansas, and at Grambling. He said he learned a lot from both camps.
His junior year statistics are impressive: 103 tackles, 68 solo, 35 assists. He made 23 tackles behind the line, including 3.5 sacks, and added 13 QB pressures.
Wright has his eyes on a psychology major in college.
He is a shot putter for the ASH track and field team.
So far, he’s picked up two college offers, from Cohoma Community College and from across the Red River, Louisiana Christian’s Wildcats.
Wright has a different way to enjoy himself than almost anyone else his age.
“I love cutting grass. I love the way grass looks when it’s neat,” he said.
When it comes to hitting the field, he and playing the game “because I have fun with friends.”
Contact Lee at lbrecheen@aol.com
