Temple’s Isaiah Wright named Sporting News All-American

Isaiah Wright was named a first-team selection as a returner after a successful 2018 season.

Isaiah Wright scores on a kickoff return during Temple's win over UConn last month.Read moreStephen Dunn / AP

Published Dec. 11, 2018, 2:02 p.m. ET

Temple receiver Isaiah Wright, who returned two punts and one kickoff for a touchdown this season, has been named a first-team All-American returner by the Sporting News.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Wright is sixth nationally in punt returns, averaging 13.9 yards on 18 returns. He is 19th nationally in kickoff returns, averaging 25.9 yards on on 28 returns. Wright is second in the country in combined kick return yards with 976.

In addition, the junior has also caught 38 passes for 368 yards and three touchdown.

“I am honored to be receiving first-team All-America honors,” Wright said in a statement released by the school. “I want to thank my teammates for putting me in a position to receive this recognition. The work we all put in at practice pays off when we play together on game days.”

Temple (8-4) will face Duke (7-5) in the Independence Bowl on Dec. 27 in Shreveport, La.

According to Temple, Wright became just the sixth football player in school history to earn first team All-America honors. The others were: offensive lineman Bill Singletary (1972), quarterback Steve Joachim (1974), offensive lineman John Rienstra (1985), running back Paul Palmer (1986), and linebacker Tyler Matakevich (2015).

Also on the first team was Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor, a former star at Salem High.