JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – David White is weeks away from the NFL draft and he is back in the weight room at Westside High School. A sort of full-circle moment for White.
“This is like years in the making,” he said.
Recommended Videos
White has changed a lot since his days on the field for the Wolverines. Since high school, he has gained about 40 pounds and changed his game a lot.
“I’ve definitely grown into my full self,” said White, a 2018 graduate of Westside. “Now, I’m fully into my frame and my body so I’m able to do about anything you can imagine at my position and I’m just way more dominant.”
That work is paying off as White finds himself on the brink of starting a career in the NFL. White, who played at Valdosta State before transferring to Western Carolina for his final two seasons, turned heads at the Hula Bowl and the East-West Shrine games and his play at the postseason bowls helped create some buzz with CBS Sports and Pro Football Focus. Both mentioned White as a player to watch.
White had 34 catches for 519 yards and six touchdowns in his final season with the Catamounts. He had five touchdown grabs as a junior. His size (6-4, 200 pounds) makes White an intriguing option in the passing game.
“Both of those experiences were really powerful and I say powerful in their sense of seeing what it was like actually being on the next level,” said White.
If White hears his name called during the draft he will be the first player from Westside High School to ever be drafted.
“Being able to be in this position and kind of show people that, you know, it’s possible,” he said. “And if you work the right way things can, you know, ultimately happen for you and yourself in life, even if it’s outside of playing a sport.”
The NFL draft is a three-day waiting game. White won’t know when his name will be called but he knows one thing is for certain.
“I’ll cry for sure. But it’s like, after that moment, I’ll be so excited just to get back to work,” he said. “I’ll be so excited to go compete again.”
There are 32 teams in the NFL. White would love to put on the jersey of any franchise, but if it was a Jaguars jersey that would be a special opportunity.
“To be home and go out and play with Trevor Lawrence and all so I feel like the Jaguars are, you know, doing the thing, they’re trying to change the culture and get some great things down for the city also,” White said. “So, if I had an opportunity to be a part of that, I wouldn’t trade it.”