Recruiting Report: Larry Wright III (2019)

Brian Jerzak August 5, 2018 @ 04:34 PM

The Eastview Lightning football team struggled through a two-win season in 2017. After some early season adjustments, the team showed improvement toward the end of the season. One of the players instrumental in the improved second half was junior <strong>Larry Wright III</strong>. "Early in the season we were trying to figure out what kind of team we were going to be," Wright said. "Defensively I think we were amazing. On offense, we had to work on a few things."   The Lightning started to play better in the second half of the season.   "We were balanced," Wright said. "We had a good run game, and when we got that going, we were able to pass effectively. We had the pieces offensively; it just took a while to figure out how to use them. Defensively, it was tough for teams to pass on us."   Wright primarily plays wide receiver but also would line up in the backfield and at quarterback in a Wildcat formation.   "My coaches said I am an athlete, so they wanted me everywhere on the field," Wright told northstarfootballnews.com. "I had to learn inside and outside receiver. When we had trouble passing the ball, I would move to quarterback or running back so I could get the ball and see what I could do with it."   Wright used his build to create mismatches on the field.   "With my height, I win jump balls," the 6'4" 205-pound receiver said. "I don't think anyone can compete with me on a jump ball. I don't think anyone can cover me one-on-one."   As a freshman, Wright played tight end and was the starting tight end on varsity as a sophomore. Toward the end of the season, Wright made the move to receiver.   "Moving from tight end to receiver wasn't that tough," NFN's 35th ranked player from the Class of 2019. "I think tight end was harder to play. As a tight end, I would try to get around people to get off the line of scrimmage. As a receiver, I can be more physical."   In the winter, Wright plays basketball. Switching between varsity and JV he was primarily a defender and rebounder. In the spring he is a triple jumper and long jumper on the track team.   As far as football goes, this offseason Wright has been working on his feet.   "I have been working on my breakdown – like on a curl," Wright said. "I have been working on my run after the catch – making a move on somebody."   This summer Wright has hit a lot of camps.   "I have been to camps at Minnesota twice. I have been to South Dakota State, North Dakota State, and Iowa. We went to a team camp at Minnesota-Duluth."   Exposure is the primary concern of most campus camps.   "I have offers from Sioux Falls, Mankato, Concordia-St. Paul, St. Cloud State, and Minnesota-Duluth. I have a preferred walk-on offer from Minnesota," Wright explained. "North Dakota State and South Dakota State are interested, but they haven't offered yet."   Wright also picked up some tips that will help him this fall.   "I learned different ways to release off the line of scrimmage. I have been using that this summer. I have been using some of the same footwork drills I learned at camps."   While most of the schools have Wright tabbed as a receiver, a few see him – with his size - growing into a tight end. Regardless of where he lines up in college, the Lightning has a senior they can build around to get back to continue the improvement as a team they showed late in the 2017 season.