Wright was only with the Rebels for nine games before deciding to enter the 2007 NFL Draft instead of returning for his senior year. He is the first underclassman to ever leave the school early, and it ended a somewhat troubling college career that looked so promising back in 2003.

That year, the talented cornerback enrolled at Southern California, where he redshirted. He forced his way into the Trojans' lineup for four games at weak-side cornerback in 2004, but he was charged with rape during the off-season. Authorities also found the drug ecstasy in the apartment he shared with a roommate. After charges were dropped when the woman failed to testify, Wright left the school and enrolled at UNLV, sitting out the 2005 season under NCAA transfer rules.

Wright was a 2002 Super Prep All-American, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-West, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, All-Northern California Co-MVP and San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro first team honoree as a senior running back and defensive back at Riordan High School.

As a senior, he rushed for 1,166 yards and 17 touchdowns and caught 18 passes for 268 yards (14.9 avg) with four scores on offense. He added 80 tackles (31 solos), four forced fumbles, two interceptions and 10 pass deflections on defense. He also was on Riordan's track team, with bests of 10.74 seconds (wind-aided) in the 100-meters (10.83 legal) and 23-4 3/4 in the long jump.

Wright signed with Southern California in 2003, but spent the season on the sidelines as a medical hardship after suffering a torn hamstring in fall camp. He appeared in 13 games for the Trojans, starting four times at weakside cornerback (including vs. Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl), earning All-Pac 10 Conference Freshman Team honors from The Sporting News. He collected a career-high 33 tackles (27 solos) with two sacks and a fumble recovery. He intercepted a pair of passes and deflected six others.

His off-field issues were not resolved until the summer of 2005. By that time, Wright decided it was best to transfer from Southern California, after the school's office of student affairs requested a delay in a meeting with Wright to determine a disciplinary hearing date. He instead enrolled at Nevada-Las Vegas, sitting out the season under NCAA transfer rules.

Wright suited up for nine games at UNLV in 2006. He started the first four and final two games, sitting out the Colorado State, New Mexico and Brigham Young games with a left knee sprain. He registered 29 tackles (17 solos) with a forced fumble while deflecting eight passes and intercepting another. He also excelled on special teams while seeing some action on offense. Wright totaled 430 yards on 18 kickoff returns (23.9 avg) and rushed twice for 36 yards.

In 22 collegiate games at two schools, Wright started 10 times. He registered 62 tackles (44 solos) with two sacks for minus-13 yards, 2 1/2 stops behind the line of scrimmage, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble. He deflected 14 passes and intercepted three others for 54 yards in returns. He added two carries for 36 yards and 18 kickoff returns for 430 yards (23.9 avg).

Positives: Has an athletic looking frame with good chest thickness, defined upper body with good trapezoids, tight waist and hips, good bubble, strong thighs and knotted calves … Has very good body control, agility and balance … Flexible athlete with sharp change of direction ability and accelerates to the ball with good urgency … Shows natural explosion in his burst and the range to run down the receiver across the field … Shows good read and react skills to the thrown ball and is alert to switch-offs when working in the zone … Plays with good vision and instincts, timing his leaps and using his arms effectively to reach around and knock the ball out of the receiver's hands … Has the valid foot speed to mirror the opponent in man coverage, demonstrating outstanding closing ability … Physical with his man when running with the receiver off the line, doing a nice job with his hands in attempts to reroute … Plays better in press coverage, as he has the strength to jam … Has very good speed out of transition and can stick and close on the ball with no wasted steps … Sudden in his plant-and-drive and fluid in his turns, opening his hips properly to accelerate … Does a good job of keeping plays in front of him when working in the zone … Has the vision to see the routes develop and can flip his hips to cover ground in attempts to get under the throw … Times his leaps well to compete for jump balls … Demonstrates soft hands and good arm extension to reach, pluck and secure the ball away from his frame … Shows good patience waiting for his wedge to develop and loose hips to dart through traffic and the second gear to elude on kickoff returns … Is not a punishing hitter, but has good wrap-up technique to secure and drag down ball carriers playing off the edge … Has the deep speed to stay on the hip of the receiver on long routes, and reacts to plays in front of him by taking good angles to close.

Negatives: Had an off-field issue that could see some teams shy away due to potential character issues … Bit of a gambler who likes to play the ball instead of his man, resulting in a good amount of big plays charged against him … Needs to stop eyeing the quarterback too long, as he gets caught out of position when he keeps peeking into the backfield … Has good timed speed and builds his acceleration nicely, but when a receiver gets behind him, he struggles some to recover (will lose sight of his man) … Will hit with good pop in man coverage, but tends to shy away from contact in run support … Working in a crowd, he must use his hands better, as he struggles to shed … Can hit with force, but he lacks consistency, as he likes to deliver low tackles or throw a shoulder … Has the quickness to run with the receivers off the line, but is inconsistent when backed off.

Compares To: RICARDO COLCLOUGH-Pittsburgh … Like Colclough, Wright is very effective at handling man coverage assignments, possessing the loose hips and acceleration to mirror the receiver through the route. Both are capable of making big plays with their hands, whether it is picking off the ball, deflecting it or returning kickoffs. However, both leave a lot to be desired when it comes to run support, preferring to let others make the play rather than stick their hats into the pile.

2003: Granted a medical hardship at Southern California due to a torn hamstring.

2004: Suffered a left knee sprain on Nov. 20 when his left knee buckled during a practice, but MRI results were negative.

2006: Sat out the Colorado State (Oct. 7), New Mexico (Oct. 14) and Brigham Young (Oct. 21) games after suffering a left knee sprain.

Campus: 4.47 in the 40-yard dash … 310-pound bench press … 520-pound squat … 4.05 20-yard shuttle … 31 3/4-inch arm length … 9 1/4-inch hands.

Attended Archbishop Riordan (San Francisco) High School … 2002 Super Prep All-American, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-West, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, All-Northern California Co-MVP and San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro first-team honoree as a senior running back and defensive back … As a senior, he rushed for 1,166 yards and 17 touchdowns and caught 18 passes for 268 yards (14.9 avg) with four scores on offense … Added 80 tackles (31 solos), four forced fumbles, two interceptions and 10 pass deflections on defense … Member of the track team, with bests of 10.74 seconds wind-aided in the 100-meters (10.83 legal) and 23-4 3/4 in the long jump.

University Studies major … Son of Mia Williams and Talim Wright … Born Eric Andrew Wright on July 24, 1985 in San Francisco.