KNOXVILLE, Tenn — Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright declared for the NFL Draft on Friday morning.
Wright will not play in the Citrus Bowl for Tennessee on Jan. 1 against Iowa.
The Vol just wrapped up his junior season where he totaled 1,013 rushing yards and scored four touchdowns. Wright was the first 1,000-yard rusher at Tennessee since Jalen Hurd did so in 2015. He had 22 receptions for 141 yards.
He averaged 7.4 yards per attempt, which nationally ranked only behind LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels who won the Heisman trophy. His yards per carry were the best by a Vol running back since Hall of Famer Hank Lauricella had 7.94 yards per carry in 1951.
Wright was named to the Associated Press All-SEC second team.
He had multiple plays this season where he took the opening possession for UT to the endzone for a touchdown. He did so against Kentucky with a 52-yard run, on the opening play against UConn with an 82-yard run and against Georgia on the opening play with a 75-yard run.
He totaled 2,297 yards rushing with 18 rushing touchdowns in his three seasons at UT.
