Owen Wright Bio
Owen Wright (born February 28, 1999) is an American professional football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and listed at 217 pounds, he plays a physical style that belies his frame. He played college football for the William & Mary Tribe and the Monmouth Hawks before launching his professional career as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
Early Life and Background
Owen Wright was born on February 28, 1999, in Bethesda, Maryland, in the United States. He grew up in the same Washington, D.C. suburb that helped shape his early love for the game. He attended Georgetown Preparatory School in Bethesda, where he first made a name for himself on the football field.
During his high school career with Georgetown Prep, Wright produced 2,078 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns while averaging 5.4 yards per carry. As a junior, he earned first-team All-IAC honors and second-team all-state recognition, then picked up second-team All-IAC honors as a senior. Coming out of high school, he was an unranked running back recruit, but he drew interest from college programs and committed to play at the College of William & Mary.
Path to American Football
Wright’s path to professional football started at William & Mary, where he spent his first four collegiate seasons developing into a reliable contributor. He redshirted as a true freshman in 2017, then worked his way into the lineup over the following seasons, showing steady improvement as a rusher and returner. By the time he completed his William & Mary career, he had proven he could handle a featured role in the Colonial Athletic Association.
Looking for a fresh start and a bigger opportunity, Wright transferred to Monmouth after the 2020 season. He immediately contributed at the FCS level, and his senior campaign in 2022 turned into a breakout year. That season earned him first-team All-CAA recognition, a clear sign that he had grown into one of the conference’s top running backs. The performance was strong enough to attract NFL attention even though he went undrafted in the 2023 NFL draft.
Owen Wright Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
Wright’s college career began at William & Mary in 2017, where he redshirted his first year to learn the offense and build his body. In 2018, he appeared in all 10 games and finished with 117 rushing yards on 45 carries, ranking third on the team while also contributing in the return game, where he ranked sixth in the conference with 22.9 yards per return.
As a junior in 2019, Wright took a major step forward, appearing in all 12 games and starting six. He totaled 584 rushing yards on 138 carries with five touchdowns, averaging 48.7 rushing yards per game and 4.2 yards per carry, and added 13 receptions for 97 yards. In the shortened 2020 season opener against Richmond, he rushed for 28 yards on nine carries before announcing his decision to transfer.
William & Mary Career (2017–2020)
Wright’s development at William & Mary mirrored the steady arc of a player learning by doing. After a quiet redshirt year, he flashed his potential on special teams and as a change-of-pace back during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. By the time he departed for Monmouth, he had laid the groundwork for the heavier workload that awaited him at his next stop.
Monmouth Era (2021–2022)
Wright joined the Monmouth Hawks and quickly earned a role in the offense. In 2021, he appeared in all 11 games with one start, finishing with 91 carries for 370 rushing yards and two touchdowns, plus seven receptions for 51 yards and a receiving score. His versatility as a runner and pass-catcher gave the Monmouth coaching staff plenty of options.
The 2022 season was the high point of his college career. Wright played in all 11 games at running back and on special teams, racking up 72 carries for 304 rushing yards and an eye-popping 16 touchdowns, while adding two receptions for 28 yards and a touchdown. That touchdown total earned him first-team All-CAA honors, the signature achievement of his college career and the springboard to professional football.
Baltimore Ravens (2023–2024)
On April 29, 2023, Wright signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent after going unselected in the 2023 NFL draft. He was waived on August 29 as the team trimmed its roster, but the Ravens quickly brought him back to the practice squad two days later. He was promoted to the active roster on October 28, beginning his NFL regular-season tenure.
Wright signed a reserve/future contract with Tampa Bay on January 29, 2024, transitioning toward his next opportunity, though his time in Baltimore had already given him a foothold in the league. He was later placed on injured reserve on August 27, a setback that temporarily paused his progress as he worked to return to full health.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Era (2025)
On July 31, 2025, Wright signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in search of a fresh opportunity. He was waived on August 26 as part of final roster cuts, but the Buccaneers re-signed him to the practice squad on October 7. He was promoted to the active roster on November 14, then waived again on November 29 and re-signed to the practice squad the same day.
On January 8, 2026, Wright signed a reserve/futures contract with Tampa Bay, locking in his place with the franchise heading into the new year, before being waived on May 11. The back-and-forth movement reflected a young running back still working to carve out a stable role in the league.
Driving Style and Strengths
Wright is a compact, physical runner at 5 feet 9 inches and 217 pounds, which gives him a low center of gravity and the ability to absorb contact near the line of scrimmage. His college production at Monmouth, particularly his 16-touchdown 2022 season, highlighted a nose for the end zone and a willingness to finish runs between the tackles. He has also shown the hands and route-running polish to contribute as a pass-catcher out of the backfield.
Notable Events and Milestones
Wright’s most notable milestone came in 2022, when he was named first-team All-CAA after a 16-touchdown season at Monmouth, a performance that set the stage for his NFL opportunity. Going from undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023 to a Buccaneers practice squad and active roster contributor in 2025 marks another important chapter in his professional journey. He also carries a proud family connection to the game through his grandfather, Brig Owens.
Owen Wright Career Wins
Owen Wright’s win totals at the professional level are still being established, as he has spent time on practice squads and the active roster without securing a feature role. His verified career NFL statistics include 6 rushing yards, a 2-yard rushing average, and 73 return yards. Most of his highlight-reel wins came at the college level, particularly during his record-setting 2022 season at Monmouth.
Monmouth Highlights
During his two seasons at Monmouth, Wright established himself as one of the most productive running backs in the Colonial Athletic Association. In 2021, he recorded 91 carries for 370 rushing yards and two touchdowns, with seven receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown. His 2022 campaign produced 72 carries for 304 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns, plus two receptions for 28 yards and a touchdown, headlining his first-team All-CAA selection.
Other Wins & Performances
Wright’s high school career at Georgetown Preparatory School included 2,078 rushing yards and 33 touchdowns with a 5.4 yards-per-carry average, along with first-team All-IAC and second-team all-state honors as a junior. He was also recognized as second-team All-IAC as a senior, rounding out a strong four-year prep résumé.
Owen Wright Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Wright is the grandson of the late Brig Owens, a former Washington Redskins safety whose NFL career helped shape the family’s deep football roots. That direct lineage from a longtime NFL defensive back likely informed Wright’s understanding of the professional game and his approach to the running back position. The connection to the Redskins franchise adds a notable chapter to his family background in football.
Personal Life
Owen Wright was born and raised in Bethesda, Maryland, the community where he also attended Georgetown Preparatory School. Beyond his football commitments and his family connection to Brig Owens, his public personal life remains largely out of the spotlight, with no widely reported details about a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was a year of movement for Owen Wright as he worked to establish himself with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After signing on July 31, he was waived during final roster cuts on August 26, then returned to the practice squad on October 7. He was promoted to the active roster on November 14, giving him a brief window to contribute in the regular season, before being waived and re-signed to the practice squad on November 29.
Wright’s role with the Buccaneers reflected a young running back in transition, splitting time between the active roster and the practice squad while continuing to develop. His verified NFL totals at the end of the 2025 season included 6 rushing yards, a 2-yard rushing average, and 73 return yards, underscoring the early stage of his professional statistical résumé.
Looking beyond 2025, Wright signed a reserve/futures contract with Tampa Bay on January 8, 2026, securing his place with the franchise before being waived on May 11. That cycle of waivers and re-signings highlighted both the challenges facing undrafted players and Wright’s continued push to earn a longer look in the NFL. His 2025 experience should serve as a foundation for his next opportunity, wherever it may come.