Rodney Wright - College Career

College Career

Wright attended Fresno State, where he was teammates with future first overall selection quarterback David Carr. During his four seasons at Fresno State, Wright was regarded as one of the most explosive players in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). Along with playing wide receiver, he also returned kickoffs and punts, and rushed the ball on sweeps and reverses.

In 1998 as a true freshman, Wright played in four games, including a start on the road against Utah, in which he recorded six receptions for 116 yards, 19.3 yards per catch. He recorded three receptions for 68 yards and two touchdowns against BYU. He missed the final five games of the season due to an injury.

As a sophomore, in 1999, Wright was a First-team All-WAC selection, after recording 74 receptions for 1,062 yards, which both rank fourth-best in school history, and seven touchdowns, 11 carries for 70 yards. For most of the season he was nationally ranked in kickoff returns with 27 for 584 yards. He ranked 30th in the NCAA in all-purpose yards, with 135.33, and receptions, with 5.67, and 31st in receiving yards, with 83.92, per game. He also recorded his season-long reception with an 83-yard touchdown against SMU. He also had a career-high seven receptions for 156 yards against UTEP. He also had three 100-yard games.

As a junior in 2000, recorded 38 receptions, second on the team, for 466 yards, with a season-long of 51 yards, and two touchdowns.

Wright played in seven games, with six starts. He was forced too sit out from October 14 - November 11 with a strained calf. He ranked near the top of the WAC in receiving yards and receptions per game before the injury. He returned to play against SMU, however it was for just one play. However, he would return to full strength in time to play against San Jose State, recording three receptions for 92 yards, including a season-long 51-yard reception. He also had a solid performance in the Silicon Valley Football Classic recording five receptions for 77 yards. He also had a strong performance in Fresno States win over Cal, recording 13 receptions for 174 yards and both of Fresno State's touchdowns.

As a senior in 2001, Wright played in all 14 regular season games, starting 11, and recording 104 receptions for 1,630 yards and 12 touchdowns. He became just the second receiver in school history to record 1,000 receiving yards in a season twice in their career, the other being Larry Willis whom achieved the feat in both 1983 and 1984. Wright also set a school single-season records for most receptions and yards. He had five 100-yard receiving games, including four in a row at one point. He was also a Second-team All-WAC selection.

Wright had one of the best performances in bowl game history against Michigan State in the Silicon Valley Football Classic, in which he recorded 13 receptions for 299 yards and two touchdowns, including one of 79 yards. He scored a rushing touchdown against Tulsa, giving him a touchdown as, a receiver, rusher, on a blocked punt, and passed for a touchdown, in his career. He had one of the best single-game performances in school history against Boise State, recording 14 receptions for 179 yards and a touchdown. He recorded 182 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Oregon State. He also recorded two touchdowns against Rice and SMU. He returned a blocked punt for a touchdown against Utah State, the second one in his career.

In his career, Wright started 19 of 38 career games he played in. He also ended his career as the schools career leader in receptions with 222. He is also second on the school's career list in receiving yards. He also set school single-season records with 104 receptions and 1,630 yards as a senior. He is also one-of-two receivers in school history to record 1,000 receiving yards in a season twice. For his career, Wright has 222 receptions, 3,274 receiving yards, 23 receiving touchdowns, 42 carries for 245 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown. He also recorded, for his career 40 kick returns for 863 yards.