Misplaced Pages

Nahshon Wright (/nəˈʃɔːn/ nə-SHAWN; born September 23, 1998) is an American professional football cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Oregon State.

Early life

Wright attended James Logan High School, where he played as a wide receiver and cornerback. He also lettered in basketball and track. He enrolled at Laney College, where he contributed to the team winning the 2018 state championship. He tallied 12 starts, 17 tackles (1.5 for loss), four interceptions, and three passes defensed, while earning All-conference honors.

He transferred to Oregon State University in 2019. As a sophomore, he appeared in all 12 games with 10 starts, posting 34 tackles (half a tackle for loss) and three interceptions.

As a junior in 2020, the football season was reduced to seven games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He started in six games, registering 30 tackles, two interceptions, four passes defensed, and one sack. He had six tackles and one interception against California. He had seven tackles, one interception, and one pass defensed against Oregon. He had seven tackles and one sack against Stanford. He declared for the NFL Draft after the season.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Wright was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round (99th overall) of the 2021 NFL draft. The selection was criticized in the media as a reach, while the team passed on other defensive backs like Elijah Molden, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Ambry Thomas and Brandon Stephens. Wright signed his four-year rookie contract with Dallas on July 21, worth $4.8 million. In Week 9 against the Denver Broncos, he touched a blocked punt after it passed the line of scrimmage, causing the officiating crew to award the ball back to the Broncos with a new set of downs. In Week 10 against the Atlanta Falcons, he recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown. He appeared in 13 games, playing mainly on special teams, finishing the season with 7 defensive tackles and two special teams tackles.

In 2022, he appeared in 7 games with two starts, registering 22 tackles (one for loss), one interception, 4 pass breakups and one special teams tackle. He was declared inactive in the first 5 games of the season. In the fourteenth game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he replaced a struggling Kelvin Joseph at right cornerback. He started in the fifteenth game against the Philadelphia Eagles, compiling 8 tackles (one for loss) and 2 pass breakups. He started in the sixteenth game against the Tennessee Titans, leading the defense with a career-best 9 tackles, 2 pass breakups and his first career interception. He struggled with penalties in his 2 starts. In the season finale against the Washington Commanders, he was replaced in the starting lineup with Trayvon Mullen. He was declared inactive for the 2 playoff games, to allow the team to activate Israel Mukuamu.

On August 30, 2023, Wright was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury. He was activated on October 16. He appeared in 12 games as a backup player, tallying 2 defensive tackles, one pass breakup and 3 special teams tackles.

Minnesota Vikings

On August 9, 2024, Wright was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for Andrew Booth Jr.. He was waived on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad.

Personal life

His younger brother Rejzohn was featured in the 2020 season of the series Last Chance U, and currently plays for the New Orleans Saints. His cousin Mekhi Blackmon plays cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings. Another cousin, Bump Cooper Jr., plays cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens.

References

1. "2022 Dallas Cowboys Media Guide" (PDF). NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
2. "Pac-12 CEO Group announces decision to schedule conference-only play for several Fall sports & to delay move toward mandatory athletics activities". Pac-12 Conference. July 10, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
3. "Oregon State cornerback Nahshon Wright declares for NFL Draft". 247sports. December 22, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
4. "Nahshon Wright Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
5. "Nahshon Wright, Oregon State, CB, 2021 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
6. Phillips, Rob (April 30, 2021). "Double Coverage: Cowboys Draft 2nd CB On Day 2". DallasCowboys.com.
7. "NFL draft 2021 winners, head-scratching picks, reaches from Rounds 2 and 3: Mel Kiper's Day 2 recap". ESPN. April 30, 2021. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
8. "Cowboys Sign Nahshon Wright".
9. Walker, Patrik (August 30, 2023). "Cowboys move two to IR, reveal 2023 practice squad". DallasCowboys.com.
10. Harris, Nick (October 16, 2023). "Cowboys announce six roster moves ahead of MNF". DallasCowboys.com.
11. Shook, Nick. "Cowboys send CB Nahshon Wright to Vikings in exchange for CB Andrew Booth". NFL. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
12. Peters, Craig (August 27, 2024). "Vikings Utilize Reserve Lists During Roster Cuts: T.J. Hockenson on Reserve/PUP". Vikings.com.
13. Peters, Craig (August 28, 2024). "Vikings Sign 17 Players to 2024 Practice Squad". Vikings.com.
14. "OSU Beavers JUCO transfer Rejzohn Wright featured on Last Chance U". NBC Sports. July 29, 2020. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
15. "Vikings Trade with Cowboys in Cornerbacks Swap". Minnesota Vikings. August 9, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
16. "Ryan Cooper Jr. - Football". osubeavers.com. Retrieved November 9, 2024.

External links

• Minnesota Vikings bio
• Oregon State Beavers bio

• 1998 births
• Living people
• Players of American football from Hayward, California
• Players of American football from Union City, California
• James Logan High School alumni
• American football cornerbacks
• Laney Eagles football players
• Oregon State Beavers football players
• Dallas Cowboys players
• Minnesota Vikings players