It’s ball. It’s supposed to be fun. Even when you trip. Ty Robinson recalled a play in Saturday’s Pinstripe Bowl that wasn’t exactly artful for fellow Arizonan Javin Wright. He was telling the story to share that the linebacker still got a kick out of it.
«He just comes over to the sideline laughing and smiling. I’m like, ‘What are you laughing for?'» Wright answered him, «I tripped over everyone and fell on to the pile.» That’s just Wright’s personality out there, which Robinson appreciates. «It just goes to show what kind of guy he is.»
The sixth-year Husker Wright found his way to the ball in every which way during Nebraska’s 20-15 win over Boston College, leading the squad with eight tackles, including contribution to a TFL.
The senior has been through a lot in his career, including blood clot issues that cut into the start of this season. He also got to play in just two games in 2021 due to physical setbacks. The latter connects to something linebackers coach Rob Dvoracek mentioned on the bowl site while doing an interview with the Huskers Radio Network.
«It’s been a long year for him … obviously some injury things he’s been dealing with,» Dvoracek said. «He’s been here for a long time too so for him to go out there and play in a game like this – a meaningful bowl game – it’s really cool for him. And we’re working on him coming back next, so that will be good.»
Wright was sidetracked with injuries that got in the way of his first few seasons in the program 2019-21, which also included the COVID year of 2020 that didn’t count toward eligibility.
He was able to get back this year and compete in nine games and finish with 34 tackles. Wright had 51 tackles a season ago, including two interceptions, two pass breakups, 1 1/2 tackles for loss, a sack and forced fumble.
Whatever happens next for Wright, a teammate like Robinson appreciates the way the linebacker has taken on challenges.
«Every year it seems like some new adversity for that guy. I love him to death like a brother,» Robinson said. «Just to watch him persevere. He always has a smile on his face. He’s just the most over joyful guy ever even facing all the health issues he’s faced. To be able to watch him go out and fly around and be happy.»
The Huskers will have to replace John Bullock at linebacker, and Mikai Gbayor and Stefon Thompson also entered the portal.
But there is excitement about the future, which will include versatile portal addition Dasan McCullough, previously at Oklahoma. And some of that future is already the present, as Vincent Shavers Jr. showed on Saturday. The true freshman from Miami particularly put on a show in the first half, which included five tackles – four solo – with two TFLs. That came with a sack and forced fumble.
Husker coaches have known Shavers had all the physical traits since he got here.
«He’s also matured a lot since he got here. His body has matured,» Dvoracek said during the radio appearance. «He’s developed and then him learning the game allowed him to go out there and contribute in a meaningful way.»
The bowl practices have been really good for Shavers and other young players, the coach knows.
«Essentially you get really like a spring ball … And just to be around the older guys and to see what this experience is like. This is the standard moving forward. This is at minimum what we’re going to be doing.»
Bowl prep is good.
Winning the game you prepped for is great.
«The plane ride home is much different. And just the energy going into the offseason is different,» Dvoracek said a couple days before victory was had. «Obviously going to a bowl game is a huge deal but now go win it is even better. It creates a lot of momentum.»