Brock Wright Preparing For Major Role In 2019

Notre Dame tight end Brock Wright enters his junior year in a unique spot. The 6-foot-4, 250-pounder has played his freshman and sophomore year, but the time was spent primarily as a blocker in short yardage. 

Wright will enter this season with two catches for 12 yards and one touchdown, so he could also be considered inexperienced despite the role he played his first two seasons on campus. 

Wright and classmate Cole Kmet will look to lead the Irish tight end room in 2019 and it starts with mastering the finer details of the position. 

“We’ve been in the offense with Coach (Chip) Long for three years,” stated Wright. “We have a better feel for the playbook, helping out the younger guys and everything is coming together how they plan it out for us.” 

Long arrived at Notre Dame with Kmet and Wright as incoming freshmen. Both were ranked extremely high by recruiting services and Long has been able to push the right buttons to get the most out of each player this spring. 

“He’s demanding, but he pushes us,” explained Wright. “He knows what he can get out of us. He wants the best out of us. It’s great to see that during spring ball, especially with the younger guys.” 

Wright is a first-class kid and will follow the direction of any coach, but the fact Long played tight end in college allows the tight ends to trust Long’s guidance even more.

“We love it,” laughed Wright. “He’ll always joke around when one of us runs a good route or makes a good play and say ‘Oh, it looks like you’ve been watching my highlight tape.’

“It’s nice to have someone who has played the position. He knows how it works.” 

While Wright is focused on improving as a player, this spring is also a significant opportunity for all the tight ends to build rapport with starting quarterback Ian Book. 

“Just working on our chemistry with Ian, Cole and me,” Wright said of his goal this spring. “Getting in there and getting reps is helping our chemistry out a lot more.”

Alizè Mack is gone to the NFL, so the chemistry built over the spring with be vital to Wright and the Irish having another memorable season.

“It was a fun season overall,” Wright said of 2018. “Going 12-0 in the regular season, I’ve never experienced anything like that, so it was pretty incredible.”