NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt senior safety De’Rickey Wright has been named a nominee for the Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award.
Wright is on track to graduate in May, becoming the first member of his family to earn a college degree. The Gadsden, Alabama, native and his mother, Christina Henderson, often found themselves on the move, living with various extended family members, including Wright’s grandmother.
His 2020 freshman season at Vanderbilt proved extremely challenging. The Commodores played a winless season during the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in a coaching change.
Then on Dec. 7, 2020, Wright’s mother passed away at the age of 35 while in the hospital for a brain aneurysm.
Wright returned for the spring of 2021 getting to know Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea and his new staff. He developed a relationship with Earl Bennett, the new director of player development, while also leaning on academic advisor Sarah Gibbons and teammate Justin Harris.
He made 24 tackles in eight games as a sophomore but then entered the transfer portal. After considering leaving in spring 2022, Wright was welcomed back to the program by Lea and his teammates.
Last fall, Wright played in all 12 games and recorded 55 tackles with three interceptions while moving to safety. This season, he’s battled an ankle injury suffered in the second game but has still recorded six games with 29 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a tackle for loss.
The Courage Award was first presented by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) in 2002. A select group of writers from the FWAA vote on the winner each year. The requirements for nomination include displaying courage on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster or living through hardship. The winner of the award will be included in festivities during Capital One Orange Bowl week and receive his trophy at an on-field presentation.
Previous winners of the Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award are Oregon tight end Cam McCormick (2022), the University of Utah football Team (2021), Arkansas State analyst Alex Charlton (2020), Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson (2019), SUNY Cortland linebacker Kyle Richard (2018), Wisconsin safety D’Cota Dixon (2017), Pitt running back James Conner (2016), Miami offensive lineman Hunter Knighton (2015), Duke offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson (2014), San Jose State defensive lineman Anthony Larceval (2013), Clemson wide receiver Daniel Rodriguez (2012), Michigan State offensive lineman Arthur Ray Jr. (2011), Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand (2010), the University of Connecticut football team (2009), Tulsa’s Wilson Holloway (2008), Navy’s Zerbin Singleton (2007), Clemson’s Ray Ray McElrathbey (2006), the Tulane football team (2005), Memphis’ Haracio Colen (2004), San Jose State’s Neil Parry (2003) and Toledo’s William Bratton (2002).008), Navy’s Zerbin Singleton (2007), Clemson’s Ray Ray McElrathbey (2006), the Tulane football team (2005), Memphis’ Haracio Colen (2004), San Jose State’s Neil Parry (2003) and Toledo’s William Bratton (2002).
