Under the Radar 2016 North Carolina WR Antwan Wright Readies to make Division-I Impact

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The 2016 recruiting class is filled with recruits who have not received due attention for one reason or another. The reasons can be varied from injury, lack of exposure, to bad highlight reels. For other recruits, like Shelby High School wide receiver Antwan Wright, the loss of his junior season to a family squabble has made him a can’t miss prospect that is playing catch-up throughout his senior season.

Wright has all the measurables and stats to support being an impact player at the next level. Listed at 6’0”, 172 pounds, Wright ran a laser timed 4.47 before his senior season and flashed his blazing speed throughout the 2015 campaign. Being utilized all over the field on offense, the North Carolina native burned the opposition for 53 receptions for 1,206 yards with 15 touchdowns, added 156 yards on the ground off 18 carries with another score, and added 465 kick return yards and 251 punt return yards taking at least four back to the house for scores.

Interest have come in for Wright but the void of a junior season has hurt him with scholarship offers due to missed time in the classroom. Louisville and N.C. State are among the schools that have shown interest but Marshall is the only school that has offered. The loss of his 2014 season is a convoluted mess between family members over dogs that involved the court system. As explained, no one was hurt, no animals were hurt, and all charges were dropped but the lasting repercussions for Wright continue.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the bigger under-the-radar prospects in the nation to get an overview of Wright’s high school career and received a recruiting news update.

Interview

Antwan, you had a big sophomore season putting up somewhere around 1,400 yards receiving, 800 yards rushing, and had a few punt returns for a touchdown, as I understand it. But then you missed out on your junior season which has caused some complications in your recruiting process. In a quick overview, what happened that forced you to lose out on your junior campaign?

“It was – I had a family situation over dogs. We were mating dogs and there was a dispute over papers and which dogs belonged to who within our family. I had to go through the court process. My cousin ended up dropping the charges after I think she realized what she was doing and how it was affecting me. Everything is okay now, and I’m happy that I bounced back and had a great senior year.”

Missing an entire year of football can be difficult to bounce back and play at a high level. How was your senior year for you overall?

“When I first came back I had a lot of drops, more than normal. I had to grind to get back to get my stats right. I had to put in the work. The first four or five games I dropped a lot of balls, after that I got back into my flow and started balling. I had to keep working and put in extra work to make it happen.”

The Golden Lions went 15-1 in 2015 winning a 2A North Carolina Championship beating Kinston 57-21. How was the championship game for you considering all that you had been through?

“It was a great game for the seniors to win. I wish the game would have been more competitive but we had a great time. It was a great way to end our high school career. It was my second ring, third for the other seniors.”

Do you remember your stat line from the game?

“I think I had seven catches for about 100 yards with one touchdown.”

The only loss for Shelby in 2015 was a 40-33 defeat by Crest. Crest is always loaded, how did you do in that game?

“I had a great game against Crest. If I had a couple more touches, like three or four, I think we would have won that game. Every time I was touching the ball it was a first down. When I was running the ball we were getting 15-20 yards each time.”

You and Class of 2017 wide receiver Jayden Borders (93 receptions, 1,732 yards, 26 touchdowns) made a dynamic duo. How did the relationship work on the practice field and during the game?

“Me and Jay, with the speed and talent from the both of us there was nothing people could do to stop us. The other team had to have a great secondary or there was no way they could stop us. Our speed on opposite sides of the field was too much. We would run the post, cross post, trips, or 10-15 yard outs. IT was hard to stop us.”

What are your strengths on the field as a wide receiver?

“It’s natural for me – my field vision. When I am on the field, my main thing – I have tunnel vision for the end zone, all I see is the end zone and all I know is I am going to do everything I can to get there. I don’t let up or slow down until I get across the line or someone stops me.

“I love the game of football. It’s my life. Football is all I have ever done. I’d play flag football if I had to just to play the game.”

Which schools are recruiting you right now?

“I have an offer from Marshall and an offer from a junior college out of Kansas, Garden City.”

Are any programs showing interest in you but have not offered?

“N.C. State and East Carolina, but due to my situation I don’t think they will offer. End of the day, I don’t care where I go as long as I can play ball. Getting a D-I offer, I wouldn’t turn that down. I was getting interest from Carolina (North Carolina) my sophomore year.”

When you have talked to the different college coaches, what are they telling you they like about your game?

“My highlight reel has got me where I am at. The coaches like my explosiveness, speed, field vision, and all of that stuff.”

Are you taking an official visit to Marshall?

“I go to Marshall on Jan. 29, next Friday.”

What are you looking for from the school and program during your visit to Marshall?

“I’m looking at the environment to see what I would deal with on a daily basis. I’ll look at the coaching staff and the players, see how everyone gets along. This is my first time being on an official visit. All will be based off my vibe from the school and coaches. Are they really interested in me? How are they going to use me? I’m looking forward to it.”

If all goes well do you think you’ll commit to Marshall?

“Yes sir, more than likely.”

Have you started thinking about what you would like to major in while in college?

“I have thought about sports training. I want to do something dealing with sports.”

Do you play any other sports for Shelby?

“I normally don’t run track but I’m thinking about it this year to get my technique down and build up my speed.”

Antwan, good luck on your visit to Marshall and with whatever else the recruiting process may bring your way.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: greensboro.com; No. 15 Antwan Wright.