In past years, spring has been a trying time for Auburn offensive lineman Jeremiah Wright.

Instead of looking forward to practices and Auburn’s A-Day spring football game, for the past three spring seasons, Wright has been forced to rehab injuries.

In 2021, his first spring camp at Auburn, Wright tore his ACL. The following spring, Wright missed A-Day after suffering an injury in one of the team’s scrimmages that led up to the spring game. Last year, Wright was hindered by a minor injury that pestered him all spring.

“This is my first ever time being in spring ball,” Wright said in an interview on March 12. “The whole time I’ve been here, I’ve been injured. It’s my first time. Just very excited.”

Wright stringing together a healthy spring couldn’t come at a better time as Auburn looks to replace three starting offensive linemen from the 2023 season after the graduations of Kam Stutts, Gunner Britton and Avery Jones.

That said, between his health and the vacancies along the offensive front, Wright is finding himself in as good as a spot as ever to land a starting gig.

Throughout spring camp, Wright has frequently taken first-team reps at right guard, replacing Stutts there after the two rotated in and out of the spot during games last fall.

And while the prospect of being a full-time SEC starter is right under his nose, Wright knows the opportunity comes with the need to have a better understanding of when to channel his aggressiveness and intensity — and when to keep it tucked away.

“It’s like a switch. You’ve got to know when to turn it on and when to turn it off. For me, I know every time I get out there, I know that my switch is always on,” Wright said of his aggressiveness and intensity. “I’m ready to get after someone and attack.

“But I’ve got to know my situation. I’ve got to know my opponent. I’ve got to know the down-and-distance. Just all of that. It’s transitioning into knowing who I’m going against.”

Fortunately for Wright, the fact that he’s starting season No. 2 under the leadership of Auburn offensive line coach Jake Thornton should help his development.

“This is my second year truly being under Coach (Jake) Thornton and taking everything in,” Wright said. “The technique part is what I’m focused on now. I get that down, and I’m good to go.”

And as the pair’s player-coach relationship continues to strengthen, Wright says Thornton is picking up on when to step in and tighten the leash on him.

“He gets after me, especially when I’m high, and I’m ready to go. Sometimes, I get out of my fundamentals. They go out the window,” Wright admits. “He’ll bring me back in and say, like, ‘Control yourself.’ He’ll pull me off to the side and say, ‘Calm down now.’”

Nonetheless, Thornton has been pleased with Wright’s development.

“He’s doing a really good job. Big, physical presence,” Thornton said of Wright. “He’s really transformed his body. He’s got a lot of good weight on him right now so certainly excited about him.”

After years of unfortunate circumstances, the stars are finally starting to align for Wright.

Now, it’s all about finding and maintaining an appropriate balance of playing with a wide open throttle and being under control.

“Everything I’m focusing on right now is just being under control and making sure I’m not over aggressive right now,” Wright said. “I know about all of these emotions right now — because I’m ready to get out there and attack.”