Dae’Quan Wright is ascending for the Ole Miss offense at the perfect time
Tight end Dae’Quan Wright has become more and more involved in the Ole Miss offense the last two weeks.
Wright hadn’t been targeted since Week 1. But in back-to-back weeks he’s posted a combined 12 receptions for 153 yards and two touchdowns.
The No. 16 Rebels (7-2, 3-2 SEC), as a result, have looked more themselves on that side of the ball. Next is No. 3 Georgia (7-1, 5-1) Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC.
“I approach it the same as the other ones, to be honest,” Wright said following a practice this week. The upcoming matchup is one of College Football Playoff hopefuls. “Just go in every week with the same mindset, take care of my body and do what I do.
“A great team. They play together. They’re well-assigned. We can get after them, though.”
Wright posted his best single-game marks of the season, according to Pro Football Focus, in the wins over Oklahoma and Arkansas. His season-high 79.6 grade came in a 63-31 thrashing of the Razorbacks in Fayetteville.
Ole Miss won there for the first time since 2008. Wright scored two touchdowns on his team-high nine receptions and 99 yards.
“The OC (Charlie Weis) and coaches doing their job and finding the soft spot in the defense,” Wright said. “That’s what they did and it opened up a lot.
“I just have fun and play. I don’t really look into the targets and all that stuff, for real. When the play comes my way, I just make the play.”
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Wright’s season totals are now 17 receptions, 224 yards and three touchdowns.
He’s an off-season addition from Virginia Tech. Wright was the Hokies third-best receiver last season with 366 yards on 28 receptions. His three touchdowns this season are the first of his career.
The emergence of Wright has come at the perfect time, too. Starter Caden Prieskorn dressed but didn’t play against Arkansas. Prieskorn is probable for Georgia.
“Every week I go in with the same mindset — just play football,” Wright said. “Ball out regardless. If we’re a man down, next man up. I just go in every week with the same mindset.”
Wright has arguably improved the most as a blocker.
He’s answered the call of his head coach, Lane Kiffin, who publicly called out his tight ends after the 29-26 loss at LSU. Wright bottomed out with a 16.3 pass-block grade in Death Valley. His run grade was strong enough (60.3).
But he nearly hit 70 percent in both categories against Oklahoma. His 73.9 pass-block grade at Arkansas was a season-high.
“It’s definitely coming along for all of us,” Wright said. “We’ve definitely been working on that at practice every week and every day. It’s coming along real good.”
