After conflicting reports surfaced early Monday about his status for next season, Florida Gators junior safety Major Wright told Joe Schad of ESPN that he has decided to forgo his final year of college eligibility and declare for the 2010 NFL Draft. “I’m going to the NFL,” Wright said in a text message to Joseph Goodman of The Miami Herald.
“I enjoyed my time in Gainesville, they were some of the best years of my life,” Wright said in a University of Florida release. “Beyond winning championships, I will take with me some great memories of personal friendships from my teammates and lessons learned from the coaching staff. I will always be a Gator and look forward to watching them play from the sidelines in the future.”
Wright is the third Florida junior to declare Monday, joining defensive end Carlos Dunlap and center Maurkice Pouncey whose announcements were made earlier in the day. Five juniors in total are making themselves eligible for the draft – cornerback Joe Haden and tight end Aaron Hernandez are the other two.
“Major will be missed in our secondary and by his teammates,” said head coach Urban Meyer. “He was a physical player who had a presence on the football field and was someone our players looked up to and gravitated to. They enjoyed being around him both on and off the field. We wish him the best of luck.”
Fellow junior S Ahmad Black, Wright’s 2008 running mate and one of three starters at the position in 2009, has “decided to stay in school and get his stock up in next year’s NFL Draft,” his father Bruce Black told the The Miami Herald Saturday night. Black will likely start at safety along with sophomore Will Hill.
The Gators’ 2010 starting secondary will likely consist of Black and Hill along with sophomore CB Janoris Jenkins and redshirt freshman CB Adrian Bushell on either side. That is, of course, unless one of Florida’s four incoming freshman at the position do not usurp one of their roles.
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Guess Matt Elam will get some time. Maybe Amahd Black will feel as if he is getting some love now?
Where is Wright projected?
Wright leaving doesn’t really bother me. Am I the only one who though Black was a better safety than Wright?
Drew – My opinion: third or fourth.
Mr2Bits – Black grabbed more interceptions, but Wright was a ballhawk.
Adam,
A ballhawk with big hits true but he always seemed late on his breaks and getting to the ball. Can we bring Ratliff back?
As opposed to a guy who grabs some picks but is often invisible aside from that. Six of one, half a dozen of the other – know what I mean? Still both good players.
He needs another year in my opinion. As a fan of the Gators I am not too worried because we have a glut of safeties to come in and play well. As a fan of Wright, which I am, I think he needs another season to work on things. I think he could be an early second rounder or later first rounder if he stays
I agree they are both solid in different areas and we will be fine….hopefully Hill will step right in and live up to the hype he came in with…if not we have Frosh coming in who might be able to play right away….that is a position if you have great speed and insticts you can play right away!!!
Finley reminds me of Major as well so I am sure he could step in also
In my opinion he should stay another year.
I don’t think he even gets drafted if he comes out, Even if he does he will be a late Day 2 pick. Not a good decision if it is true, could really shine next year and enhance his earning potential…$$$$$$
Looks like Matt Elam really made the right decision. The door is wide open for him now and he is an EE with an excellent chance to be the starter come fall. He needs to work really hard to take advantage of this opportunity. Thanks Major, I hope YOU are making the right decision!
Can’t argue with Dunlap and Pouncey’s decision. They’re both ready. While I enjoyed watching him play for the last three years, Wright will be lucky to make someone’s practice squad in the NFL. I guess there’s always the arena league. Hope I’m wrong though. Good luck to all three.
I have to say, it’s going to be awesome to see Will Hill in action. He really gravitates to the ball and should be a star next season.
My hearty wishes for Wright. Do not compare him with Black or Hill. They all possess different skill sets which made our secondary dominant. I will never forget the hit he delivered on the first drive of the championship game. He is one heck of a player and helped us win a title. Best wishes Wright and thank you for being a gator..
I wish him the best and I will always remember he was a quality player we plucked out of south Florida from the U!!!!
Do we know what his 40 time is? One would think out of all the stats at the combine his 40 time will have the biggest impact on where he goes.
what about moses jenkins ?
Moses is a special teams…well…specialist. He is a good cornerback but wouldn’t likely start over some of the other guys we have. Possible though.
I have been wondering what happened to Jeremy Brown. It seemed like he and Janoris Jenkins were viewed similarly by the coaches before his medical red shirt as a freshman. I guess the back injury is going to keep him off the field but he was a highly regarded DB recruit before his injury. Whomever gets the nod opposite of Jenkins better be ready for a lot of action next year.