Northwestern Wildcats quarterback Mike Wright has entered the NCAA transfer portal ahead of his final season of eligibility. Wright, who played in just three games for the Wildcats in 2024, has previously suited up for Vanderbilt and Mississippi State.
Where Could Mike Wright Transfer?
Wright has struggled to find a long-term home and has started just 16 games in his collegiate career. In that span, he’s totaled 2,874 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, while adding 1,313 rushing yards and 11 scores on the ground. He holds a career passer rating of 115.8 with a 55.8% completion rate and just 5.9 yards per attempt.
It’s been a mixed bag, and a lot is riding on Wright finding the right fit in 2025. By all indications, he’ll be looking for a situation where he can compete for a starting job after losing the role early last season and spending this spring getting reps at wide receiver.
Could Mike Wright Make Sense for the Tennessee Volunteers?
With the departure of quarterback Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee has a massive hole at the position. Head coach Josh Heupel has acknowledged that the Vols will need to hit the portal to find a replacement.
At this stage of the offseason, Wright checks several boxes. He has Power Four starting experience across multiple programs and has shown flashes of success. While it’s unlikely he’d be the guaranteed Day 1 starter, he’d have the opportunity to compete for a team fresh off a College Football Playoff appearance.
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Wright also appeared to hint at interest in the Volunteers through a recent Instagram story.
Mike Wright Could Join a Slew of New Faces for the Purdue Boilermakers
New Purdue head coach Barry Odom has been aggressive in reshaping the roster following a 1–11 season. The Boilermakers brought in 31 transfers in December alone.
Quarterback isn’t Purdue’s biggest need heading into 2025, but it remains a position of interest. Wright would bring more experience than anyone currently in the room and offers the kind of dual-threat ability Odom favored at UNLV with Hajj-Malik Williams.
For Wright, it would also mean staying in the Big Ten and competing for a starting job.
North Carolina Tar Heels
With Bill Belichick now at the helm, North Carolina is undergoing major changes. The quarterback room in Chapel Hill is young and unproven.
While former South Alabama QB Gio Lopez is believed to be the staff’s top target, Wright would be a viable option should that deal fall through. His veteran presence could serve as a bridge-year solution for the Tar Heels in 2025.
Tulane Green Wave
Tulane is coming off a 9–5 season and ranked No. 16 nationally in scoring offense. Last year’s starter, Darian Mensah, transferred to Duke, leaving Ball State transfer Kadin Semonza as the most experienced QB in the room.
Semonza’s numbers, 3,384 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, are comparable to Wright’s. But where Wright stands apart is his rushing ability: 1,313 career yards versus Semonza’s -75.
If Tulane adds Wright, he would be in a strong position to compete for the starting role.
Boston College Eagles
Bill O’Brien’s first year at Boston College was bumpy, and former starter Thomas Castellanos has since left the program.
KEEP READING: Biggest Surprises to Enter the Transfer Portal This Spring
Wright could be a strong fit as the dual-threat quarterback O’Brien hoped Castellanos would be. With no QB on the roster boasting more than 205 career pass attempts, Wright would enter a wide-open competition in Chestnut Hill.
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