Jacardia Wright

Early life

Wright was born on September 26, 2000, in Decatur, Illinois. He attended St. Teresa High School in Decatur where he played football and was a top running back. He was a three-time Macon County Player of the Year and was also selected all-state in 2017 and 2018. As a senior, Wright ran for 2,609 yards and scored 55 touchdowns. He finished second in state history with 8,821 rushing yards and 133 touchdowns. He committed to play college football for the Kansas State Wildcats.

College career

Wright appeared in three games and ran for 122 yards for Kansas State as a true freshman in 2019. He then ran six times for 17 yards during the 2020 season, and for 56 yards on 13 carries in 2021. He entered the NCAA transfer portal and transferred to the Missouri State Bears in 2022. In his first year with the Bears, Wright was named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) All-Newcomer team after running for 711 yards and nine touchdowns. In 2023, he was selected second-team All-MVFC after running for 696 yards and six touchdowns, along with recording 17 catches for 271 yards and a touchdown. Wright initially entered the transfer portal after the 2023 season, but declined name, image, and likeness (NIL) offers from larger schools to return to Missouri State for a final year in 2024. He ran for 824 yards and 14 touchdowns and caught 35 passes for 403 yards and two touchdowns in 2024, earning second-team All-MVFC honors.