After former UB quarterback C.J. Ogbonna entered the transfer portal in January, following the conclusion of the 2024 — 2025 season, the QB1 role is open for the taking.
With spring training now underway — and a game scheduled for later this month — the competition to become the Bull's next starting quarterback is heating up.
Among the competitors is freshman Jason Wright, who committed to Buffalo over the summer following a standout high school career in his home state of Virginia.
Wright, known endearingly as "JayDub," began his football career at the age of four playing flag football. He steadily progressed through the levels of the sport and eventually emerged as a hot prospect following his senior year of high school.
Before arriving in Buffalo, Wright established himself as a true dual-threat quarterback. He threw for 3,818 yards and 34 touchdowns, while also adding 1,278 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns on the ground.
Despite his success, his high school career was met with constant change and adjustment.
“I had a pretty untraditional high school experience,” Wright said. “I played for four different schools.”
The lack of consistency affected his ability to settle into one system, but it also forced him to learn to adapt — which helped him grow as a player. Wright credits the first high school he attended — Benedictine College Preparatory — for giving him the “hunger” he needed to succeed. It wasn’t as a result of the playing time he got there.
“I was on JV and I played one full game that entire year,” Wright said. “It pushed my confidence down so much.”
“But I found in me right after that season, I'm like, ‘I don't want this to happen again. I don't want to feel this way again.’ So I fell in love with working more and staying with it.”
His newfound work ethic became the catalyst for his growth. By the time his high school graduation came around, he had 15 Division I scholarship offers on the table.
Wright says his decision to come to UB was influenced by the “upward direction” the football program is going, and that it’s “something [he wanted] to be a part of.”
Even with five other quarterbacks currently in the Bulls squad, Wright focuses on what's important to him: improving.
“It’s a healthy competitive nature,” Wright said. “I'm just working to be the best Jason every day.”
As spring practices continue and the season approaches, Wright’s commitment to self-improvement remains his driving force. His long-term goal to become the new starter for UB and make an impact is one he envisions in the near future. But first, he wants to reach a personal milestone.
“My first college touchdown, that's gonna be awesome.”
Rodrigo Feijao is the senior sports editor and can be reached at rodrigo.feijao@ubspectrum.com
