Joe Milton details development of Jaylen Wright

Jaylen Wright is new and improved. Perhaps nobody understands the Tennessee running back’s growth more than quarterback Joe Milton III.

“I used to preach to Jaylen Wright last year, just about being more mature,” Milton said during a press conference on Thursday. “Things are going to happen. Last year, or 2021, he had fumbles. As the years progressed, he stopped fumbling. He just kept balling. He took into consideration that everyone believes in him.”

Wright has given them good reason to have faith. The 5-foot-11 RB was Tennessee’s leading rusher with with 146 carries for 875 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Wright was a runaway train. In fact, 548 of his 875 rush yards came after contact.

Wright seemingly only improved with each contest. The North Carolina native averaged 124.5 rushing yards per game in his final two games last year. Experts don’t expect Wright to slow down anytime soon. He’s already been named as a 2023 Doak Walker Award preseason candidate.

Milton is happy to have him back by his side for another season.

“Being able to have him in the backfield is great,” Milton said. “He runs the ball hard, he understands what’s going on, he understands the playbook and he understands what me and the coaches want in this offense.”

Jaylen Wright receives high praise from high places

That offense was excellent last season. Tennessee averaged 525.5 yards per outing last season, the most in the nation. Along with Milton, UT head coach Josh Heupel believes Wright will help the Vols maintain offensive dominance in 2023.

“Early in his career just wanted to run around everything and just use his speed to his advantage,” Heupel said earlier this month. “That’s how he’d kind of developed as a young back in high school with some of what they did.

“He can still do all those things but he’s got really good vision. He understands blockers, he understands how to use them. He delivers double-teams to the second level. He finds space. His vision on the backdoor cuts has grown. He’s doing it at the right time. He’s playing at a really high level.”

Heupel hopes Wright’s high-level play takes the Volunteers to unprecendented heights. UT went 11-2 last season, just missing the College Football Playoff. Wright could be the key to the Vols making their first appearance in the CFP.

“Just being able to have a championship mindset, being able to reset from play to play, play with passion, not playing just straight out of emotion,” Heupel said. “[Wright] has been great with the young backs. He’s been a great leader, great teacher for those guys. He’s into it when he’s not even the guy that’s getting the reps.”