Quarterback Mike Wright has committed to East Carolina University (ECU) after a brief stint with Northwestern. The announcement was made yesterday, marking the latest chapter in his college football career. Having already played for Vanderbilt and Mississippi State, his decision to join the Pirates makes ECU his fourth program in six years.
QB With SEC Ties Makes Surprising Transfer Choice
Wright, a 6’4”, 185-pound senior from Atlanta, Georgia, brings a wealth of experience to ECU. As a former three-star recruit out of Woodward Academy, he’s shown flashes of brilliance as a dual-threat QB throughout his career.
His latest transfer, however, has caused plenty of chatter among fans, as many expected him to stay in a Power 4 conference after his time in the SEC and Big Ten. Instead, Wright has opted for a Group of 5 program, a choice that could redefine his final years of eligibility.
Northwestern quarterback Mike Wright has committed to ECU, he tells @On3sports.
Former Vanderbilt and Mississippi State transfer.https://t.co/VxSGJETKD9 pic.twitter.com/4UbuxrL32f
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) May 11, 2025
Wright’s college career kicked off at Vanderbilt in 2020, where he initially served as a backup to Ken Seals. His first real shot at starting came in 2021 after Seals went down with an injury. Facing South Carolina in his debut as a starter, Wright threw for 206 yards and a touchdown, though the Commodores fell 21-20.
His breakout moment arrived in 2022 against Kentucky, where he earned SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors. In the game, he passed for 184 yards and a touchdown, adding 126 yards and another score on the ground, leading Vanderbilt to a 24-21 upset win.
After the 2022 season, Wright entered the transfer portal and landed at Mississippi State. There, he backed up Will Rogers but saw meaningful snaps after Rogers suffered an injury against Western Michigan in 2023.
At Mississippi State, Wright racked up 453 passing yards and three touchdowns, plus 324 rushing yards and three more scores over 12 games. Despite his contributions, he sought a fresh start and transferred to Northwestern in May 2024, hoping to secure a starting role.
However, his time at Northwestern didn’t work out as expected. After just one year, he entered the transfer portal again, leading to his commitment to ECU. Given his history in high-profile conferences, the move to a Group of 5 program like East Carolina surprised many people.
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As the next season approaches, all eyes will be on Wright to see if he can stabilize ECU’s offense and prove that his latest transfer was the right call. Pirates fans are excited to see what this seasoned quarterback can do in Greenville.
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