Faust
MVP
Meet the Prospect: West Virginia WR Kevin White
By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst
October 22, 2014 11:41 am ET
By Dane Brugler | NFLDraftScout.com Senior Analyst
October 22, 2014 11:41 am ET
WR Kevin White, West Virginia (6-3 | 209 | 4.49 | #11)
The Scouting Report
White was forced to go the JUCO route out of high school due to academics and after two years at Lackawanna College, he transferred to West Virginia in 2013, finishing his junior season with 35 catches for 507 receiving yards. With a full season at West Virginia under his belt, White has been one of the best players in college football in 2014, leading the FBS with 69 receptions for 1,020 receiving yards and seven scores, eclipsing the 100-yard receiving mark in all seven games so far.
White has a tall, slender frame with good muscle definition and functional strength in contested situations. He has outstanding leaping ability and reflexes to make adjustments to easily secure balls away from his body and is at his best highpointing and plucking with his large, reliable hands. White has very good foot quickness to beat press and get vertical in a hurry with his downfield acceleration. He displays above average coordination and footwork in his breaks to create separation at the top of his routes and catch the ball without breaking stride to create after the reception.
While an excellent athlete, White isn't a burner and doesn't have the elite suddenness in space to consistently make defenders miss or dance his way out of trouble. He will have the occasional focus drop and while a very willing blocker, White has room to improve his technique to better sustain and avoid holding calls.
White is currently ranked as the No. 1 senior wide receiver prospect for the 2015 NFL Draft by NFLDraftScout.com and is a projected top-20 draft pick.
What NFL Scouts are saying
"KW is a man. He's playing at a different level than most receivers in the college game. Speed. Size. Ball skills. He's making it look easy out there. He could help all 32 teams right now. -- NFC North scout
The Interview
Q: Tell me about your journey, when did you start playing football, how you ended up at JUCO and then at West Virginia?
A: I started playing when I was young, flag football and then in high school. I did pretty well my senior year as a receiver but didn't have the grades for Division I. Mark Duda at Lackawanna College contacted me and he was happy to have me on board there. I was able to work my way up and got recruited to West Virginia.
Q: What other schools offered you a scholarship and why ultimately did you choose West Virginia?
A: Texas Tech, Hawaii, Bowling Green, a few others. I chose West Virginia because of the offense. They put the ball in the air. I loved the coaching staff. It was close to home. Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin, their success also motivated me to come here.
Q: You've already far surpassed your totals from last year in catches and receiving yards and seem to be playing at a much higher level. What has been the difference from last year to now?
A: Last year, I didn't know what to expect. Now I was able to have a lot of offseason training, working on my routes. Clint (Trickett) is healthy now. I do a lot of film watching each week, which has helped a lot.
Q: What is your biggest strength on the football field?
A: I'm competitive. A deep threat. I'm going to block, run my routes hard. Basically give my all every play.
Q: Watching you on film, it's tough to find holes in your game. But what's an area that you think you need to improve upon before the NFL?
A: Maybe someone else could answer that better. I try to work on everything so there won't be a weakness in my game. I'm not sure to be honest. Nothing I can think of.
Q: What is your motivation on the football field?
A: Last year was a bad year, I wanted to go out there and show the world and the myself that I can compete with the best of the best. Man coverage is me vs that guy. I won't let him stop me, he won't beat me.
Q: You and Alabama's Amari Cooper are two of the top receivers in college football -- did you get a chance to talk to him after the season opener and what do you think of his game?
A: I didn't get to talk to him, but I watched him a little bit. He's a great receiver. Polished. Very smooth routes.
Q: Since you've been at West Virginia, you've matched up against some talented corners like Justin Gilbert and Jason Verrett. Who is the toughest cornerback you've faced in your career?
A: Verrett. Very quick. Gets out of his break very fast, beats you to the ball. He's little, but physical.
Q: Tell me about the development of Clint Trickett at quarterback. He's showing more confidence this year and a lot of chemistry with you.
A: Clint understands the offense a lot more. He arrived in the summer, didn't have the time to work with receivers. He wanted to but such little time. And he was hurt last year. He's a student of the game and always in the film room. In practice you would think its a game. A lot of confidence right now.
Q: Has the NFL always been your dream?
A; Yes, it has always been a dream of mine.
Q: Is there a player in the NFL that you look up to or pattern your game after?
A: There are a few guys I like a lot. Larry Fitzgerald, Julio Jones, Brandon Marshall. A few I really like to watch.
Q: Do you have any goals for the NFL Combine for what you want to run in the 40-yard dash or vertical jump or any of those drills?
A: I really haven't been thinking about that yet. I just want to keep playing at a high level. Worry about that after the season.
Q: If I were to ask your positional coach about you, how do you think he would describe you?
A: I'm a student of the game. In practice, I try different things, which will get to him sometimes if it doesn't work. But I'm a competitor and I love the game.
Q: Fast forward five years from now, where do you see yourself?
A: Hopefully playing in the NFL, being one of the top receivers in the NFL. God willing, that's where I'd like to see myself.
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