Miami alum Kyle Wright is 16th on the 247Sports list among the "Top 20 highest-rated quarterback prospects in college football recruiting history." which was posted last week." Some Miami fans label Wright as the biggest bust in Hurricanes history.
Wright was the third-ranked prospect, top pro-style QB and second-ranked recruit in California in the 2003 class out of Danville Monte Vista. Wright signed with Miami in the class after Ken Dorsey graduated. Brock Berlin took the majority of the snaps for Miami at QB in 2003.
Berlin returned in 2004 and remained the primary starter. Wright redshirted as a freshman. An ankle injury and an allergic reaction to a bee sting ended Wright's season early as the primary backup to Berlin in 2004. With Berlin graduating, Wright had a more direct path to start in 2005.
Wright became the starter over Kirby Freeman in 2005. In his first season as a starter, Wright was productive and showed promise. Wright regressed over the next two seasons. Wright led the ACC in TD passes and was second in passing efficiency in his first season as a starter in 2005.
Grant Hughes of 247Sports highlighted and summarized the careers of the top 20 QB prospects in the modern recruiting era since 2000. Although most of Dorsey's success for Miami was from 2000 through 2002, he predates the era as a recruit. That also applies to the Miami era of QB U.
"Wright was redshirted for the 2003 season and spent the following season as Brock Berlin's backup before an ankle injury and an allergic reaction to a bee sting effectively ended his season after only a few games. With Berlin having graduated, Miami's starting quarterback job was open heading into the 2005 season. During spring practice, Wright performed well and earned the starting position over redshirt freshman Kirby Freeman."
"16. KYLE WRIGHT, MIAMIGrant Hughes, 247 Sports
Kyle Wright played sparingly as a freshman with the Hurricanes and had his best collegiate season as a sophomore in 2005, completing 58.6% of his passes for 2,403 yards and 18 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. His touchdown passes led the ACC. Wright was tabbed a breakout candidate in 2006 but disappointed, tossing seven touchdowns to eight interceptions in nine games...Wright threw 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions as a senior in 2007."
Wright is 10th in Miami history with 5,835 passing yards, seventh with a 59.2 completion percentage and 11th with 38 career touchdown passes. Jack Hackett, George Mira, E.J. Baker, Ryan Clement, Dorsey, Wright, Jacory Harris, Brad Kaaya and Tyler Van Dyke are the only QBs to lead Miami in passing in at least three seasons.
Miami finished 9-3 in 2005, 7-6 in 2006 and 5-7 in 2007 in the three seasons with Wright as their primary starting QB. The demise of the Miami football program among the elite in college football coincided with Wright as their starting QB. The 2017 season was the sole year Miami won 10 games since 2003.
Miami has struggled at QB since Dorsey graduated. Wright's inability to maintain consistency and develop following his freshman season hindered Miami during his tenure. In 2008, Wright spent his sole NFL season on the practice squads of the Minnesota Vikings and San Francisco 49ers following his Miami career.