Max Wright, Taylor High School, has been nominated to play in 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl presented by American Family Insurance. Four hundred players are in the running to be among the 100 selected to participate in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl…East vs. West match-up held every January and televised live on NBC to more than five million television viewers.
Wright was nominated by the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Selection Committee, which consists of All American Games, the national network of coaches and scouts, and 247 Sports.
The game is played in San Antonio in the Alamo Dome, close to New Year’s day. Wright should find out by the end of this coming season on whether the nomination will become a definite “yes” for the game.
A senior, Wright was moved up to the varsity after three games in his freshman year. He plays defensive end and sometimes gets to mix it up on the offense.
The Power Five colleges that have offered scholarships to Wright include Texas A&M, Ohio State, Stanford, Georgia, Florida and Notre Dame. He has committed to Texas A&M. Texas A&M has also talked to him about possibly playing baseball. “That’s a lot to do, so I’m going to focus on football only,” said Wright
“Max has loved sports since as far back as I can remember,” said Cydney, his mother. “If there is a ball of some sort, he’s playing.” His sports include basketball, baseball, track and soccer. Up to this year, Max was involved in three varsity sports: football, basketball and baseball.
Never met a stranger …
Max is one of those kids that never met a stranger. “We have taught our kids to be personable, have a good hand shake, and to look at people when you talk to them. He has always been friendly. He’s has a big heart, and is a respectful young man, people like him. Not to be corny, but he’s just kind of a gentle giant, but definitely a beast on the field. He flips the switch when he gets out there.”
Max wears number 99 jersey for the Taylor Mustangs. He is 6’4” tall, weighs 270 lbs., same as J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans.
“Did you pick 99 because that’s what JJ Watt wears, or did he pick it because that’s what you wear?” I jokingly asked him.
“People have compared me to him because I play offense and defense.” Also because physically, Max reminds you of JJ. This year Wright will play tight end, running back and some fullback, besides his defensive end duties.
“It’s a huge honor to be compared to a man like that. I love the way JJ plays, his style, and his character. I did pick 99 because of how I respect JJ,” said Wright.
“When I was younger, I was always a big kid. They would hand me the biggest jersey they could find. I had numbers 57 and 40 all through KYF. On the freshman team I was 99, but when I got to varsity I was 49. In sophomore year I decided to switch to 99 again. I’m keeping that.”
When it all began …
He played Katy Youth Football (KYF), beginning in the fourth grade. He “played up” because of his size, playing in the fifth grade when he was in the fourth grade. In sixth grade he switched over to Cross Point Football League.
From there he moved on to Memorial Parkway Junior High School, continuing to play football, and then on to Taylor.
At Taylor the first three varsity games he was on the freshman team.
“We played Clements. In three quarters I had nine sacks, and then they pulled us out. After that the coach told me that I was being considered for a move up to varsity.”
In the next game, which was against Katy, the Taylor backup defensive end, on the first play, tore up his knee. Next game he was moved up to varsity.
Seven Lakes was his first official varsity game, split time playing with another player. “As a freshman it was very humbling to play along with some senior guys. Some of the other players didn’t necessarily like it. I learned to be humble about a lot of things and learned a lot.
“Getting to play two playoff games in my freshman year set me up for what I wanted to do for the next three years.”
Sophomore year was a disappointment for him as he tore his ACL in one of knees in the second game of the season. The Mustangs were playing Seven Lakes, winning all the way up to the end of the third quarter. “We were having a great game, holding them down, and I tore my ACL. Things started falling apart, and we ended up losing the game. Next game was against Cinco and they beat us on a 50 yard pass with like 10 seconds left.
Last year Taylor lost only one district game. “It was cool just to be an upperclassman for once, be able to be a leader. It’s been fun to go through all four years, see so many different guys, so many different teams; I’ve played on four different varsity teams now.”
How about this year … 10-0?
“Travis, Foster, Katy and Cinco are always strong, but we will be a team, if we play to our ability. Our school is starting to build a winning tradition. It’s cool to be part of that, building Taylor High School football, making a name.”
Taylor Mustangs bolster their offensive line
Two freshman players who will be part of the Taylor Mustangs this coming season are offensive tackle, Hayden Conner and offensive guard, Bryce Foster. The Taylor line for the last couple of years has always been big and brutal. Look for even more this coming season.
Bryce Foster’s stats read 6’4” at 295 lbs; Hayden Conner is 6’5” and tilts the scales at 286 lbs. College scouts have been impressed with the combination of their young age, size, footwork and technical ability.
They have already received a number of verbal commitments from several Texas schools, but no solid offers as yet. In the last 30 days Conner received offers from Miami and Nebraska. Bryce Foster has offers from Georgia and Auburn.
Bryce is the bruiser of the two and Hayden is more of the finesse technician. They have played together for the last three years at Memorial Parkway Junior High and traveled together on a select team that won national championships as sixth and eighth graders