Scooby Wright III Bringing Home The Hardware For Arizona

Sophomore linebacker Scooby Wright III, the former two-star recruit out of Windsor, California, has had a good week. On Monday, Scooby won the Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the best defensive player in the country. Wednesday, he won the Lombardi Award, given to the best lineman/linebacker. Thursday night, Scooby Wright completed the trifecta, winning the Bednarik Award, given to the defensive player of the year.

There’s no doubt that Scooby Wright was the anchor for this Arizona defense. Finishing the season with 89 solo tackles, 64 assisted tackles and six forced fumbles, Scooby was a defensive nightmare. He created havoc in the backfield, accumulating 27 tackles for loss and 14 sacks, good for 3rd in the nation. In just his second year as the starting strong side linebacker, Scooby is closing in on becoming the greatest defensive player in Arizona history.

To put these awards in prospective, in three out of the last five years, one player has swept all three awards. Scooby is now in the elite company of Pittsburgh’s Aaron Donald, the 13th pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Notre Dame’s Manti Te’o, the 2012 Heisman runner-up and Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh, the 2nd overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Other notable Bednarik Award winners include LSU products Tyrann Matheiu and Patrick Peterson, Michigan’s Charles Woodson and Warren Sapp of Miami U. It should also be noted that this is second time an Arizona linebacker has won the award, with Rob Waldrop winning in 1993.

What a journey for Scooby Wright, especially after being doubted by colleges all throughout his recruiting process. Coaches at California told Scooby he would never be good enough for the Pac-12, telling him to consider junior college. Somehow, someway, Arizona found this OKG and offered him his only division I scholarship. Now, he’s become one of the most decorated players in college football in just his second year.