The562’s Poly and football coverage for the 2026-27 school year is sponsored by Long Beach Poly alums Wendell “WoWo” Moe, Jr. & Tyson Ruffins.
Photos by John Napalan
Long Beach Poly senior Donte Wright Jr. received a high individual honor last week, as he was officially honored as a Navy All-American with ceremonies on campus and before the Jackrabbits’ game against Wilson.
Wright will compete in the annual East vs. West Navy All-American Game on Jan. 9 in San Antonio, TX in a game televised nationally on both NBC and Peacock.
“It means a lot to me, this is what I’ve been working towards from day one,” said Wright. “When I first started playing, being an All-American was one of the goals. Making that All-American game was one of my biggest dreams because I used to watch the game growing up with my pop, and I would always say I was going to be on that one day.”
Wright was selected by the Navy All-American Bowl Selection Committee, which is comprised of media and former players. The Jackrabbits have a long history of producing high school All-Americans, in addition to college players and more NFL products than any high school in the country.
They’ve produced by far the most defensive backs and have a long history at that position. Mark Carrier, Darnell Bing, Vaughn Telemaque, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Iman Marshall, Jack Jones, and many others who played DB at Poly have received All-American honors in the past. The Jackrabbits’ most recent All-American was DB Daylen Austin in 2022; Austin is now at the University of Arizona after signing with Oregon.
“I feel like I’m just continuing the legacy that the ones before me started,” said Wright. “I’m trying to do the same thing as those All-Americans, and then a little more.”
Wright is a strong verbal commit to the University of Miami, where he hopes to continue in the footsteps of Telemaque as a standout Jackrabbit Hurricane.
Poly coach Travon Patterson said he was proud of his senior captain.
“We want to bring the tradition back,” said Patterson. “That’s what Poly football is about–it’s the home of scholars and champions. He’s a scholar and he’s a champion. We’re used to having guys go and play in that All-American game, we’ve always had those guys and we have a few more on the team that will do it in the future. So Donte is going to go ahead and start that back off.”
Wright has been Mr. Do-Everything for the Jackrabbits this year to cap his career as a four-year Poly varsity player. As a defensive back he has barely been targeted at all this season. He filled in for a game and a half at quarterback when Poly QB Ace Seve was out with injury, throwing for 128 yards and a touchdown and rushing for another 71 yards. He’s also been featured in Poly’s return game on special teams and has five catches for 82 yards and a score.
Wright is a typical Poly elite player in that he’s a second-generation Jackrabbit who grew up knowing he’d play for the school. As excited as he was to get to take pictures with his family at the two ceremonies, he was happier about his team’s 44-0 win over Wilson.
“What happened last year motivated me a lot, that (stuff) was heartbreaking and I didn’t ever want to feel that again,” he said. “Everybody was just motivated to come out here and do their part and get the dub.”
