Darnell Wright

A Huntington, West Virginia native, Wright earned first-team ALL-SEC honors in 2022 after dominating at right tackle for the Vols. Wright concluded his career in Knoxville without allowing a sack for 19 consecutive games. He also was selected as a semifinalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award and was a two-time SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week during the 2022 season. 

DARNELL WRIGHT TENNESSEE OVERVIEW (courtesy of Tennessee media relations): 

2022 (Senior) 

·         Started all 13 games at right tackle and tied for the team lead in offensive snaps played with 895 

·         One of just 14 FBS offensive linemen with more than 850 snaps played in 2022 and no sacks allowed with an efficiency of 99.0 or better according to PFF 

·         The only SEC offensive lineman with more than 850 snaps played and an efficiency of over 99.1 

·         Anchored a Tennessee offense that led the nation in total offense (525.5) and scoring (46.1) 

·         Concluded his career in dominating fashion against No. 7 Clemson in the Orange Bowl (12/30), in a 66-snap start at right tackle without allowing a sack or a hit  

·          Recorded 50 spotless snaps at Vanderbilt (11/26), allowing no pressures or QB hits and did not commit a penalty in an emphatic rushing game that saw the Big Orange average a single-game record 11.7 yards per carry on the ground and plunge in six rushing scores while amassing 513 yards of total offense 

·          Blocked for a season-high 84 offensive snaps at South Carolina (11/19) without allowing a pressure as the Vols piled up 507 yards of total offense 

·         Helped the Vols rack up a program record 724 yards of total offense and set a school record for points against an SEC opponent in Tennessee's 66-24 win over Missouri (11/12), blocking on 75 snaps without allowing a sack, hit or pressure 

·         Played right tackle for 80 snaps at No. 3 Georgia (11/5) and did not allow a sack, hit or pressure  

·         Saw action on 68 snaps at right tackle against No. 19 Kentucky (10/29) without allowing a pressure or committing a penalty and was the highest graded offensive player in the game according to PFF  

·         Recognized as SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week for his efforts against the Wildcats 

·          Blocked for 50 offensive snaps vs. UT Martin (10/22)  

·         Protected and paved the way for an offense that racked up 567 yards of total offense in epic win vs. No. 3 Alabama (10/15) without allowing a pressure or sack in 76 snaps at right tackle  

·          Tabbed SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his efforts against the Crimson Tide ... Did not allow a sack or a pressure and was PFF's highest graded blocker in Tennessee's road win at No. 25 LSU (10/8) 

·          Played all 72 snaps in UT's win over No. 20 Florida (9/24) and did not allow a sack or quarterback hit  

·          In 54 offensive snaps vs. Akron (9/17), did not allow any pressures or commit a penalty  

·          Played 79 penalty-free snaps at right tackle at No. 17 Pitt (9/10) and did not allow a sack or QB hit 

·          Started at right tackle and played 59 offensive snaps without allowing any pressures, hurries, hits, or sacks in season opener vs. Ball State (9/1). 

2021 (Junior) 

·         Started all 13 games at left tackle and saw a team-high snap count of 922 on the season, blocking for a Tennessee offense that set program records for points scored (511) and total offense (6,174 yards) 

·          Played a season-high 111 offensive snaps vs. Purdue (12/30) in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl and did not allow a sack or commit a penalty 

·         Blocked on 60 snaps in the regular season finale vs. Vanderbilt (11/27), did not allow a sack or commit a penalty as UT racked up 441 yards of total offense, including 285 rushing yards  

·         Did not allow a sack or commit a penalty in 50 snaps vs. South Alabama (11/20), helping UT rack up 561 yards of total offense 

·         Saw action on 89 snaps vs. top-ranked Georgia (11/13) and did not allow a sack or quarterback hit ... Did not allow a sack or quarterback hit in 49 snaps in road win at No. 18 Kentucky (11/6)  

·         Played 57 snaps at left tackle and did not allow a sack at No. 4 Alabama (10/23) 

·          Saw action on 83 snaps at left tackle without a penalty vs. No. 13 Ole Miss (10/16), helping the Vols pile up 467 yards of total offense 

·         Made sixth consecutive start at left tackle vs. South Carolina (10/9), playing 66 penalty-free snaps while helping UT rack up 472 yards of total offense  

·         Did not allow a pressure in 76 snaps at Mizzou (10/2) while helping Vols pile up 683 yards of total offense, including an incredible 458 rushing yards (third most in program history) 

·          Saw action for 68 snaps at No. 11 Florida (9/25)  

·         Played 53 snaps in start vs. Tennessee Tech (9/18) and did not allow a sack or pressure 

·         Made his second straight start at left tackle vs. Pitt (9/11) and did not allow a sack or pressure in 74 snaps 

·         Started at left tackle in the season opener vs. Bowling Green (9/2), helping the Vols rack up 331 yards and four touchdowns on the ground  

2020 (Sophomore) 

·         A starter in nine games at right tackle, while seeing action in all 10 contests  

·         Saw time on 569 total snaps  

·          Started at right tackle and helped pave the way for a season-high 540 yards of total offense at Vanderbilt (12/12) 

·          Helped the Vols rush for 222 yards at No. 23 Auburn (11/21) on 67 offensive snaps ... Played a season-high 74 snaps at Arkansas (11/7) and did not allow a sack 

2019 (Freshman) 

·         Started five games at right tackle and two games at right guard, while appearing in 11 contests 

·         Collected Freshman All-SEC honors  

·          Saw action on 360 offensive snaps … His sixth straight start came versus South Carolina (10/26) in the game that ignited Tennessee's six-game win streak to end the season 

·          Started for the first time of his career at right guard in UT's 45-0 win vs. Chattanooga (9/14) 

·         Made his collegiate debut in the season opener versus Georgia State (8/31).

*Courtesy ChicagoSportsHQ.com