Wright transferring to University of New Mexico

CLOVIS — After just one season of Division III athletics, former Clovis Wildcat Montez Wright is making the jump to Division I after announcing over the weekend he would transfer to the University of New Mexico.

Wright, a two-sport star at Clovis High, did the same at Aurora University during his freshman season. As he heads to Albuquerque, he has decided to put football on the shelf.

“I was just thinking of my career in both, what I’ve accomplished more in,” Wright told The News. “That was track.”

In the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference indoor track and field championships, Wright finished second in the long jump (6.48m) and the 200 (22.46), and was top-four in four other events. The school only got one meet during the outdoor season before the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the season.

During the football season, Wright played five games and saw kickoff return duties with 10 returns for 216 yards.

About two weeks ago, Wright decided he probably wasn’t going back to Aurora for his sophomore season, and sent emails out to various colleges. Kurt Henry, a UNM assistant tasked with sprints and hurdles, was familiar with Wright from his Clovis days and got in touch. A quick phone call stretched into an hour with Henry, and Wright just felt comfortable joining the Lobos.

The 5-foot-8, 170-pound Wright plans to do both indoor and outdoor track for the Lobos, though he concedes the indoor season feels less likely to happen with each passing day of the pandemic.

Phillips recommits — The Lobo football program also got some good news Monday night from a Wildcat, when senior Jaden Phillips announced he was renewing his verbal commitment to UNM.

Nine days before, Phillips announced he was reopening his recruitment. He had committed to the Lobos in May.

The 6-foot-2, 245-pound Phillips caught 25 pases for 489 yards and two scores at the tight end position, and collected 42 tackles and 4.0 sacks as a defensive end.

The commitment is verbal only, and Phillips is under no obligation to the Lobos until he signs a letter of intent. High school athletes intending to play college football can sign during the Dec. 16-18 early period (Division I only) or the regular period which runs Feb. 3-April 1 for Division I and Feb. 3-Aug. 1 for Division II.