Scooby Wright III

Optimism was high in Tucson about Wright following a true freshman campaign in which he ranked third on the team in tackles, posting 83 tackles (including 9.5 for loss) while starting 12 of 13 games. However, no one could have predicted Wright's coming out party as a sophomore, when he nearly doubled his tackle output (163), while leading the country in tackles for loss (29), tying for tops in forced fumbles (six) and finishing with 14.5 sacks -- fourth overall in the country and the most of any traditional linebacker. The eye-popping numbers not only earned the sophomore consensus All-American honors but earned him the Bednarik, Lombardi and Nagurski Awards. Wright entered the 2015 season as one of the preeminent defenders in the country, but was limited to only three games due to a torn meniscus in his left knee. Regardless, Wright decided to pass up his senior season and enter the 2016 NFL Draft. Wright, who goes by the Twitter handle of @TwoStarScoob in reference to his rating coming out of high school, announced on Dec. 19 that he would not be returning to Tucson in 2016. "Coming out of high school I only had one scholarship offer and that was Arizona-they took a chance on me and for that I am thankful for Coach Rodriguez," he wrote. "I am truly blessed and humbled to be in the position I am today to have the opportunity to go chase my dream that I have had since I first started playing this great game."

weaknesses

Though listed at a prototypical inside linebacker size of 6-feet, 246 pounds, Wright does not possess an ideal build for the position. He possesses a bit of a "beach build" with a relatively slim lower half which causes him to struggle to anchor.

complementing wright's awareness is good athleticism, including the balance, lateral agility and active hands to avoid would-be blockers in the hole. he possesses good (but not great) speed to the flanks but is made faster due to his recognition, frequently slicing through the line on toss plays wide to bottle up backs before they have a chance to turn the corner.

Wright is generally a reliable wrap-up tackler who isn't afraid to leave his feet to deliver a big blow on the ballcarrier. He has active hands and keen spatial awareness to rip or punch out the ball (recording six forced fumbles in 2014) as he's or another defender are making the tackle.

his production was inflated by spinning off would-be blockers and tracking down ballcarriers in pursuit, as well the action being funneled to him in arizona's unique 3-3-5 spread defensive alignment. he was often asked to rush the quarterback rather than drop into coverage at arizona and may lack the fluidity and straight-line speed to handle third down duties in today's pass-happy nfl.

He will overrun plays, leaving himself and his teammates vulnerable to cutbacks. He has a tendency to leave his feet to tackle, often connecting for impressive hits but lunging at air occasionally, as well.

after winning the bronko nagurski trophy, rotary lombardi award and the chuck bednarik award in 2014, wright missed all but three games as a junior and yet still elected to leave early for the nfl. he offers jedi-like instincts and keen spatial awareness to knock the ball free, making him a potential standout against the run and while attacking the quarterback.

The challenge of adapting to a more traditional defensive alignment and holding up in pass coverage, however, could keep him on the board into Day Two and raises concerns about his ability to duplicate his eye-popping collegiate success in the NFL.

the surgically-repaired meniscus (left knee) and foot sprain which limited wright to just three games in 2015 will need an evaluation from nfl doctors at the combine.

IN OUR VIEW

strengths

Quick, instinctive and relentless, Wright is a classic tackling machine at inside linebacker. He's consistently in position to make big plays in part due to his excellent diagnosis skills, showing excellent timing to jump the snap count and squeeze through gaps to make plays behind the line of scrimmage, including when rushing the quarterback.

compares to

Chris Borland, ex-San Francisco 49ers - Like the former 49ers standout, Wright is a better football player than athlete, winning with terrific instincts, generally reliable open-field tackling and a knack for producing big plays.

2015: Limited to only three games due to a torn meniscus in his left knee.

2012 South Bay BMW West Coast Bowl

North Bay All-League Co-MVP

First-team all-state as a senior and second-team as a junior

MaxPreps Div. III First-Team All-State

Cal State All-Star Game selection

PrepStar All-West Region

All-Redwood Empire Defensive Player of the Year.

Son of Philip and Annette Wright

Father is head softball coach at Santa Rosa Junior College and played football at Long Beach State

Sister, Ashley, played softball at Illinois

Given name is Philip

Majoring in economy and industry.