entering his senior season, wright was on the preseason watch list for the ted hendricks award, given to the nation's top defensive end, and was also on the official preseason all-america watch list by the football writer’s association of america. he played in all 12 games in 2006, taking part in the second most defensive snaps of any player on the team and the most for all non-defensive backs. on the year, he had a career high 57 tackles (39 solo) along with 11.5 sacks, 17 quarterback pressures, a forced fumbled and three pass break-ups. his sack total lead the team and was nine sacks higher than anyone else on the squad in 2006. wright's season highlights included a six-tackle performance in the opener against montana state, two sacks against baylor and a personal best three sacks against rival colorado state.