Another key contributor on the Tennessee offense is heading for the 2023 NFL Draft.

Darnell Wright, the 6-foot-6, 335-pound offensive lineman who played right tackle this past season, announced Thursday that he will forgo another season of eligibility and prepare for the draft.

He will play in the Orange Bowl against Clemson on December 30.

All signs pointed to Wright’s decision last week when he accepted an invitation to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl on February 4 in Mobile, Alabama.

A Huntington, West Virginia native, Wright signed with Tennessee as a five-star prospect in the 2019 recruiting class — picking the Vols over Alabama and Clemson, among others.

After playing left tackle during the 2021 season, Wright moved back to the right side this past season. He hasn't allowed a sack in 18 straight games and was a part of a Vols' front that protected college football's No. 1 offense at more than 538 yards and 47 points per game.

Wright appeared in 44 games during his Tennessee career with 41 starts. As a senior, he played 829 snaps. He was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week twice in 2022 following wins over Alabama and Kentucky.

Wright becomes the third Tennessee player to declare for the draft — joining wide receivers Cedric Tillman and Jalin Hyatt, who announced their intentions earlier this week.

Tillman and Hyatt both will not play in the bowl game.

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