Wright's journey hasn't been easy

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - In high school, Crosby Wright loved the game of football but the sport didn't seem to return the same feelings. Wright played in just four games at the varsity level in high school due to injuries and he missed his entire senior season after having elbow surgery.

"I didn't really have high expectations of being a recruit or anything but I just wanted the chance somewhere," said Wright.

He still hoped to play football at the collegiate level. However, he knew it would be a long shot. When presenting his recruiting tape to football coaches, he had to use highlights of his basketball career.

"They just requested to see some film to see if I was athletic and if I could move around. So, it was an unconventional high school career because I didn't have any scholarship offered at any level," said Wright.

Due to his athleticism, Wright was able to walk-on at Purdue in 2008.

"I kind of felt like I didn't belong at first. I knew all of these guys. The freshman have to get up there in front of all the players and introduce themselves. First, question they ask after your name is 'what accolades you had in high school?' I am sitting there like, 'academic all-state, I don't know.' I got nothing, I hardly played in high school and every kid recruited is all-state this or all-district that."

He did not play that season or in 2009. In 2010, he finally made his way on the field with the special teams and he caught the coaches attention. Last season, he played in all 13 games as a tight end and he caught 16 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns.

"I would be in the hotel sometimes before games and just reflect a little bit and realize that I am about to play a major college football game on national television. From where I came from it just didn't seem that likely to happen at the time," said Wright.

He now enters his senior season and was recently voted a captain by his teammates.

"It was one of the biggest honors I have ever received in my life. It really just showed me the light that my teammates viewed me in and it showed that they looked up to me as a leader and that was really huge and I hope I can live up to every expectation that they have for me in that role."

"He had a ton of votes from his teammates and was selected as a team captain," said Purdue head coach Danny Hope. "That doesn't always happen for a walk-on. He was really unusual. He was a starter and a captain before he ever got a scholarship. He has come from obscurity to being a starter and a captain of a Big Ten football team. I think that is a great career."

Purdue kicks-off the regular season on September 1 at Ross-Ade Stadium against Eastern Kentucky at 3:30 pm.