Gophers recruit Jaydon Wright loves how P.J. Fleck's offense has been featuring the running game so far this season with freshman Darius Taylor.
Taylor, winner of back-to-back Big Ten freshman of the week awards, ranks second in the Big Ten in rushing through three games.
Wright, a Bishop McNamara (Ill.) senior running back, knew the Gophers were the right fit when he committed in February, but he's even more excited now to join the U's rushing attack.
"Darius Taylor is killing it right now in the run game," Wright told the Star Tribune. "Their run game really fits me going downhill and being fast-paced. I really like it a lot. What also attracted me is the culture Coach Fleck built there."
Fleck and the Gophers were thrilled to get Taylor away from the state of Michigan last year. Wright appears to be another steal in the U's 2024 recruiting class. The 6-foot, 220-pound Illinois native has been punishing defenders so far this season.
In Wright's first game this season, he had 152 total yards and three touchdowns while also recording 15 tackles on defense, including two sacks. In a 26-12 comeback win vs. Christ the King in Chicago last week, he rushed for three touchdowns in the second half, including a 70-yarder.
"I don't think I've ever seen someone play a more complete and dominant game than he did," Bishop McNamara coach Bob Kelly said. "He's fantastic. He's everything you could ever ask for in a senior leader. He's had a great first four weeks, and we're getting in the meat of our schedule now."
Wright has been far from 100% healthy since he suffered a high-ankle sprain in the second game of the season. He had to be helped off the field after what appeared to be a severe injury in the first half Sept. 1 against Herscher, but he wasn't out of the game for long.