Watch Missouri State football coach Ryan Beard on media day
Ryan Beard speaks to the media during the Missouri State football team’s annual media day at Plaster Stadium on Saturday, August 3, 2024.
If you asked most people around the Missouri State football program at the end of last season, they would have assumed the Bears’ standout running back was as good as gone.
Jacardia Wright has already gotten a taste of power conference football during his three years at Kansas State. He has the speed and quickness for a larger 6-foot-4, 220-pound ball carrier that would make him attractive to the bigger leagues.
So when the season was over, it was no surprise that Wright entered the transfer portal. But somehow, Wright still wears maroon and white.
“I was already here and I just felt like I was already somebody at this school,” Wright said. “It was just really hard to leave that. I’m the captain of this team and seeing how this team builds each other up every day was the green light for me to just come back to school and continue my journey.”
Wright said he has heard from several power conference programs from leagues such as the Big Ten and Big 12. Several programs have approached him with name, image and likeness deals, which he left on the table.
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Some were tempting, and Wright had to do his homework. He researched the interested schools to see the running backs already on the roster and tried to figure out what the competition would be like if those players also received lavish NIL packages.
“For me, it’s not just about the money,” Wright said. “I definitely could have made good money after college, but at the same time, I have a bigger goal. Everyone that goes to their practices also comes to watch our practices. That was just the best place for me.”
The bigger goal for Wright is the opportunity to play in the NFL. He said he’s had several conversations with scouts about what he needs to work on — whether it’s creating yards when the blocks aren’t there, being a more vocal leader on the field and improving his vision.
The All-Missouri Valley Football Conference second-teamer showed significant improvement after rushing for 696 yards with six touchdowns at 4.7 yards per carry this season. The capable receiver out of the backfield also caught 17 passes for 271 yards and a touchdown.
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“He’s probably in the best shape of his life,” offensive coordinator Nick Petrino said. “He’s probably as fast as he’s ever been. We had to fight to keep him here and I’m really glad we were able to do that. I love Jacardia, he’s a great kid and I expect him to have a great year this year.”
“His body just looks like an NFL running back,” added head coach Ryan Beard. “I think last year he may have played a little heavy, but his body composition has changed and he’s really on the move.”
Jayden Becks will gain more playing time as Missouri State’s No. 2 running back
Expect a bigger role for Jayden Becks, a sophomore running back who carried the ball 38 times for 150 yards and a touchdown last season. A third of his yards came on a run during the Bears’ win over Utah Tech.
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Nick Petrino high by Reggie Branch II, Ramone Green Jr.
Reggie Branch II is a freshman from FCS Texas A&M-Commerce who played 16 games for the Lions over two seasons, including five last year before suffering a season-ending injury after carrying the ball 48 times for 256 yards and one touchdown. He is 6’0″ and 200 pounds.
“He’s a little bigger and has a really good stride,” Petrino said. “He’s bigger, but he can really run and I expect him to step into situations and do really well for us.”
Petrino also noted that former Nixa High star Ramone Green Jr., who is coming off a redshirt season, could get some time. Green carried the ball seven times for 25 yards in the Bears’ blowout win over Utah Tech.
“I love Ramone,” Petrino said. “Even as a walk-on, he’s done a great job. I think he’s definitely going to earn a scholarship.”
