More comfortable than ever, TCU receiver Dylan Wright is hoping to break out

Every time Dylan Wright has been able to play this season he’s found a way to make an impact for TCU.

Despite a number of nagging injuries that have held him out of practice and a few games, Wright has showcased enough potential to make you wonder: Could he be the difference maker the Horned Frogs need on the outside?

“He’s shown us some big-play capabilities, I think that’s the biggest thing,” coach Sonny Dykes said Tuesday. “We’ve been searching for consistency with that bunch.”

Wright, JP Richardson, Savion Williams, Jack Bech and Jaylon Robinson have all dealt with some type of injury that has impacted their ability to practice or play.

The hope for Wright is now he’ll have a clean bill of health the rest of the way. In his mind that’s the only thing stopping him from breaking out in TCU’s offense.

“Since I came in I feel way more comfortable than I ever have at any other place,” Wright said. “This offense is very easy to catch on. There’s not really many things you can mess up on with missed assignments. I’m pretty comfortable with everything.”

Wright originally signed with Texas A&M as a blue-chip recruit out of Texas A&M. After two seasons in College Station, Wright spent two more in Minnesota where he produced more than 600 yards and three touchdowns as a part-time starter.

So far with the Horned Frogs, Wright is second on the team in touchdowns and leads the team in yards per catch. He only has five catches so far, but is averaging over 20 yards per reception.

He’s done that in basically two games and acknowledged that it’s been a bit frustrating to be held back by nagging injuries.

“It took me so much just to get to this point, I’m the type of player that wants it more than anything,” Wright said. “At the end of the day I feel like those things happened for a reason and those things made me hungrier so I can make plays like I am right now. That comes throughout the week and months of me putting my head down and working.”

At 6-foot-3, Wright is the prototype of what you want in an outside receiver. He’s exceptional at jumps and has a wide catch radius.

While being a bigger receiver, Wright moves with the fluidity of a smaller player. Like when Chandler Morris found him on a dig route on fourth down and Wright broke away from the defense to stride into the endzone. His touchdown in the season opener against Colorado was similar.

He has the physical attributes and the confidence to match.

“Here in the Big 12 I haven’t found anyone that can outplay me,” Wright said. “My talent is way better than theirs at this level. That’s another point that makes me feel so comfortable here. I know it’s not about the talent, but it’s about the time you put in throughout the week because your talent is just going to show when you get out there.”

So how can Wright evolve from just a talented touchdown scorer to becoming a go-to option on the outside? Building chemistry with Morris is at the top of the checklist.

“Our quarterback is going to throw to the guys he has success with in practice,” Dykes said. “That’s just human nature. Tom Brady used to throw to Wes Welker because Wes was always going to be there. He also had Randy Moss and times Randy would be there, he might not be there. There was a little bit of that.

“If we can keep Dylan practicing consistently and Chandler can develop some type of rapport with him then I anticipate him getting better and better and breakout and become a great player.”

While the on the field aspect is still developing, Wright and Morris have quickly established a bond off of it despite Wright arriving in Fort Worth at the beginning of training camp in August.

It’s a different relationship than he’s had with some of his previous quarterbacks.

“It’s been good, everyday we text each other about how we feel about practice,” Wright said. “Or how we feel about this route or the scramble drill. Back then when I was at Minnesota or A&M, I didn’t really talk to the quarterbacks. Just having a little bit of connection with my quarterback means a lot to me.”

It also means a lot for the junior to finally be able to make plays in Fort Worth. Former coach Gary Patterson was after Wright hard in high school and while he ventured away from Texas his journey eventually brought him back close to home.

“Jalen Reagor’s dad Monty he always like come to TCU,” Wright said. “I always knew it was a good vibe here, every time I come in here I feel relaxed. I don’t feel like I’m walking on egg shells, so when I got here it was like a breath of relief. It just allowed me to show how I talented I am and the work I’ve put in.”

Dykes said Wright practiced and looked exceptional on Tuesday. Like the rest of the Horned Frogs roster, Wright has shown his tremendous talent now it’s about putting all together consistently starting with Saturday’s matchup at Iowa State.