Jeremiah Wright brings mauler mentality to Auburn offensive line

AUBURN, Ala. – Converted twice from offense to defense and back after arriving on the Plains from Selma, Alabama, Jeremiah Wright finally found a home at right guard.

Last season, Wright started every game at the position, earning the 2024 Ken Rice Award as Auburn’s best blocking lineman. 

“All of my hard work, not going unnoticed,” Wright said after receiving the award before Auburn’s A-Day game this spring. “It’s a chip on my shoulder to keep working, keep getting better. Keeping my head down, be patient, be humble, trust the process. 

“That’s what I try to get a lot of these younger guys to do. Trust the process even when things aren’t going your way. Keep grinding and things will eventually turn your way.”

In his sixth season on the Plains, Wright provides leadership to younger teammates on Auburn’s O-line. 

“It’s harder being a leader because you’ve got everybody looking to you,” Wright said. “You lead by example and everybody’s watching you. You have to do everything right, from the little things to the big things.”

A two-way player at Selma High School, Wright came to Auburn to play O-line but switched to defense before his first season, sensing an opportunity to earn immediate playing time.

During spring practice after his freshman season, Wright tore his ACL, leading to a switch back to offense, a process he would repeat once more before earning his first start at left guard in 2022, his third season at Auburn.  

“I just stuck it out from there,” Wright said. “A lot of patience. When things aren’t going your way, you have to remain humble and keep putting in the work. Even when you feel like everything’s not going your way, you still have to keep grinding, put your head down and do the extra work.”

Healthy for a second straight season, Wright’s physical style this season earned praise from SEC Network analyst Cole Cubelic, himself a former Auburn offensive lineman, who wrote that Wright was “bringing something to the table that we have not seen in a long time on the Plains.”

“That’s a blessing for me,” Wright said of Cubelic’s affirmation. “That’s someone who played here and has been in the trenches before. There’s a lot more that I still have to work on. To hear him say that makes me push myself every day to go harder because I know everybody’s watching me. Still have to chase perfection every day, and that’s what I’m doing.”

Asked what he thought Cubelic was referring to, Wright was ready.

“He’s seeing someone who is physical and dominant, trying to maul somebody each and every play,” Wright said. “That’s what I’m going to do.”

Wright attributes that tenacity to his time playing defense. 

“I play so aggressive to that defensive mindset,” he said. “I’m trying to get after somebody. Being able to move people off the ball. With offensive line, you also have to play with technique. If you don’t play with technique, you’ll get beat. I have to slow it down, control myself and take the right footwork.”

Wright’s aggressiveness shows up especially when it’s time to move the chains.

“It also comes with down and distance,” he said. “On third-and-short, we’re fixing to run that ball. Every play, that’s my mindset, but definitely in short yardage.”

In pass protection, he tries to combine physicality with the technique required to keep rushers away from quarterback Jackson Arnold.

“Owning my gap, owning my space,” he said. “Being a bully out there, that’s me.”

Away from football, Wright is quick to smile and has a kind word for everyone. He earned his Auburn University Interdisciplinary studies degree in August 2024, with emphases on business, communication and leadership. 

Before the season, Wright was named to the watch list for the 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, which recognizes players who exemplify community service, academic excellence and athletic achievement.

The 6-5, 348-pounder is active in community service, both on the Plains and in his hometown.

On July 17, Wright became a father with the birth of his son, Jeremiah Tramaine Wright Jr. 

“It woke me up some more and gave me another reason to go hard,” Wright said. “It’s been fun for me, watching my son grow.”

Grinding through preseason camp and the start of the season while adjusting to late-night feedings and lack of sleep has been a challenge, he says. 

“Something new for me, but it’s also a blessing,” Wright said. “Children are a blessing. I’ll never take it for granted.”

Before every home game, you’ll find Jeremiah’s family near the end of Tiger Walk, including his sisters Breanna and Sh’naya, and his mother, Latasha Roller.  

“I love my sisters,” Wright said. “They call me every day, and my niece and nephew – Kymore and Kamarrion. My nephew has come with me through many Tiger Walks.” 

Wright plans to pursue a professional football career while sharing resources with the community that helped raise him.

“I want to give back to Selma, my hometown,” he said. “Give them a lot of things I’ve been presented here in Auburn that they don’t have back at home. I want to grow in that aspect.”

Thankful to be healthy after injuries disrupted the start of his Auburn career, Jeremiah Wright presses on, determined to conclude his Auburn career on an upward trajectory.

“I’m hard working,” he said. “Finally having back-to-back years being healthy, you’re going to get a dog.”

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer