Former UCF Kicker Matthew Wright Called Up by the Pittsburgh Steelers

Matthew Wright, the leading scorer in UCF Knights football history, will make his NFL regular-season debut tonight for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Wright was signed to the Steelers’ practice squad just one week ago and was promoted Monday to replace injured kicker Chris Boswell. That means when the Steelers and the Washington Football Team kick off tonight at 5, there’s a 50-50 chance Wright will have the honors.

A native of Lancaster, Pa., Wright was originally picked up by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He made five of six field goals that preseason but did not survive final cuts.

Since then, he hasn’t had many opportunities to showcase his skills outside of an audition with the New England Patriots in October 2019 and a stint with XFL’s Tampa Bay Vipers earlier this year, although he never appeared in a game. Wright has continued to post videos on social media to demonstrate that he can help a football team with a need at kicker.

Wright was a four-year starter at UCF and owns the program’s career records for points (375), field goals made (55), field goal percentage (77.5) and extra points made (210).

His NFL hopes were revived when the Steelers brought him in for a tryout on Nov. 25. He was added to their practice squad on Nov. 30 and seven days later, he’s on the active roster.

Matthew Wright: Another example of how life comes at you fast.