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Javin Wright Returning for Seventh Season with Nebraska

An experienced Blackshirt is coming back for the Huskers.

Kaleb Henry

Nov 11, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Javin Wright (33) during the second quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Memorial Stadium.
Nov 11, 2023; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Javin Wright (33) during the second quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
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An experienced Blackshirt is coming back for Nebraska football.

According to Sean Callahan of Husker Online, linebacker Javin Wright will return for a seventh season. He is believed to be the first-ever seventh-year Husker in program history.

Wright began his career at NU in 2019, but barely played over his first three seasons due to a redshirt and injuries. With a history of blood clots, he underwent surgery in 2021 to correct the condition.

Boston College Eagles tight end Jeremiah Franklin (17) is tackled by Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Javin Wright (33).
Dec 28, 2024; Bronx, NY, USA; Boston College Eagles tight end Jeremiah Franklin (17) is tackled by Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Javin Wright (33) during the first half at Yankee Stadium. / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Over the next two seasons, Wright played in 23 games. His best year came in 2023 as he played in all 12 games and made 51 tackles, adding a forced fumble and two interceptions.

Ahead of the 2024 season, coach Matt Rhule announced Wright would be out indefinitely.

"He has a health condition that we're working through," Rhule said. "I'll probably leave it at that, just until he's ready to talk more about it."

Javin Wright (33) makes a tackle on a Wisconsin runner.
Javin Wright (33) makes a tackle on a Wisconsin runner. / Amarillo Mullen

Wright eventually returned to play in nine games on the year, including the Pinstripe Bowl victory over Boston College. He totaled 34 tackles and 1.0 tackle for loss with one pass breakup. In the bowl game, Wright led Nebraska with career-high-tying eight tackles, including a half tackle for loss.

While Wright's return is a boost for the Huskers, and a deserved chance to someone that has battled a health issue for years, Nebraska does continue to move pieces around ahead of the looming 105-man roster limit. NU is currently at 17 linebackers and 136 total players.

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Kaleb Henry
KALEB HENRY

Kaleb Henry is an award-winning sports reporter, covering collegiate athletics since 2014 via radio, podcasting, and digital journalism. His experience with Big Ten Conference teams goes back more than a decade, including time covering programs such as the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Oregon Ducks, and USC Trojans. He has contributed to Sports Illustrated since 2021. Kaleb has won multiple awards for his sports coverage from the Nebraska Broadcasters Association and Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association. Prior to working in sports journalism, Kaleb was a Division I athlete on the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Track and Field team where he discussed NCAA legislation as SIUE's representative to the Ohio Valley Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. 

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