Aug. 15, 2017
By Zac Ellis
VUCommodores.com
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Derek Mason can’t contain his smile when asked about Charles Wright’s performance during Vanderbilt’s fall camp.
“He may be the most improved player on this football team,” Mason said.
Wright isn’t exactly a household name on the Commodores’ roster, but the redshirt junior might change that in 2017. Wright, an outside linebacker, expects to be a big piece of the puzzle in the middle of Vanderbilt’s defense. That’s where the linebacker corps is looking to replace All-American Zach Cunningham, all while striving to put more pressure on quarterbacks.
Now, thanks to a strong offseason, Wright stands to inherit much of that responsibly.
“Coach Mason has trusted me to be the lead dog, if you would say that, to go out and get sacks,” Wright said. “But I want to bring everyone along with me. It’s a team thing, it’s not just me. We need Andre Mintze, Caleb Peart, Josh Smith, even the inside guys like Emmanuel Smith and Oren Burks, everybody to come get the quarterback.”
The Commodores could use an extra spark on defense after a less-than-aggressive pass rush in 2016. Even with Cunningham in tow, Vanderbilt managed just 15 sacks last fall, fewest in the SEC. Plus, that group loses the graduated Adam Butler, who led the team with four sacks in ’16.
Mason, a former standout defensive coordinator at Stanford, has talked openly about expecting more from his defense. Thus far, Wright has looked the part of a difference-maker for Mason during the offseason. The California native has played in 24 career games at Vanderbilt but took his biggest step forward last fall. That’s when Wright chipped in 13 total tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss, as a contributor at outside linebacker.
This offseason, Mason said the redshirt junior has made remarkable strides as a leader and a defender. Though Wright has yet to start a game in his Commodore career, his head coach expects a bright future in 2017.
“I’m looking for a breakout season [from Wright],” Mason said. “But you know what, it’s not about being too high or too low. The thing about Charles is he’s asked me to challenge him everyday, and I’ve challenged him and he’s responded. This group’s got a bunch of guys with a chip on their shoulder.”
That group will likely aim for a committee approach to replacing Cunningham, who led the SEC with 125 total tackles last season. Alongside Wright, Oren Burks has slid over to inside linebacker after serving as a hybrid safety/linebacker in 2016. Names like Caleb Peart (outside), Emmanuel Smith (inside) and Josh Smith (outside) should team with Wright for a solid middle of Vanderbilt’s defense. Those ‘backers combine with a veteran secondary and a defensive line that includes preseason All-SEC pick Nifae Lealao.
But Wright knows 2017 represents an opportunity for him at Vanderbilt. After three seasons of biding his time, the fourth-year linebacker is poised to make a lasting impact.
“God is blessing me, really,” Wright said. “He’s blessed me with these abilities. I’m just trying to go out and use these abilities that he’s blessed me with and get to the quarterback.”
Zac Ellis is the Writer and Digital Media Editor for Vanderbilt Athletics. Check out his story archive and follow him on Twitter here.
