Temple Owl Named First-Team All-American

Written by: Chris Kofsky

First team All-AAC return specialist and AAC Special Team Player of the Year, Isaiah Wright of the Temple Owls received another honor on Tuesday. Wright was named a first-team All-American by Sporting News.
In his junior season, Wright averaged 25.9 yards per return on 25 kick returns with a touchdown and 13.9 yards per return on punt returns for two touchdowns. As a receiver, Wright recorded 452 scrimmage yards on 33 receptions and 19 rushing attempts with four total touchdowns.

Wright’s two punt returns for touchdowns are tied for the the most in college football history. His 13.9 yards per punt return is ranked 13th and his 25.9 yards per kick return is 19th best in the country.

According to owlsports.com, Wright had this to say on being named first team All-American, “I am honored to be receiving first- team All-American honors. I want to thank my teammates for putting me in a position to receive the recognition. The work we all put in at practice pays off when we play together on gameday.”

According to Mark Narducci and Temple University, Wright is only the sixth Owl to receive these honors and the last Owl since Tyler Matachavcich in 2015. The others are offensive lineman Bill Singletary in 1972, quarterback Steve Joachim in 1974, offensive lineman John Rienstra in 1985 and running back Paul Palmer in 1986.
In his three seasons, Wright averages 25.5 yards per kick return with 12.2 yards per punt return and five total return touchdowns. 2018 was his best year statistically as a return specialist.