M Club Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1979
James Earl Wright came to then Memphis State University in the fall of 1958 to play quarterback for former Tiger head coach Billy J. Murphy. The Columbus, Mississippi, native graduated from S.D. Lee High School where he was named the team’s MVP after the 19567 season. He immediately became a starter for the Tigers and in addition to playing quarterback, he returned kickoffs and punts for the special teams. Wright finished the 1958 season with 165 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Despite being injured most of the season, Wright rushed for 310 yards on 66 carries as a sophomore and completed 11-of-24 pass attempts for 106 yards and one touchdown. Considered one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, Wright would complete his career with 974 yards rushing in his career and was ranked fourth all-time in rushing upon graduation. He held five offensive records when he completed his Tiger career and won Associated Press National Back of the Week honors for his play against Ole Miss in 1960. Wright was named to the Williamson All-America team in 1960. He was drafted by the Boston Patriots in 1961. Wright returned to Memphis State in 1965 as an assistant coach under Murphy and remained on the Tiger staff until 1969. He was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1994 and the All-American Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 1998. He passed away in 2009.
