Kevin White (American football)

Kevin Romone White Jr. (born June 25, 1992) is an American former professional football wide receiver. He played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers, earning first-team All-American honors in 2014.

Kevin White
No. 13, 11, 14, 17
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1992-06-25) June 25, 1992 (age 32)
Plainfield, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:216 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school:Emmaus (Emmaus, Pennsylvania)
College:
NFL draft:2015 / round: 1 / pick: 7
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:28
Receiving yards:397
Stats at Pro Football Reference

A highly-rated prospect coming out of college, White was selected by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft with the seventh overall selection. His first three seasons with the Bears were injury plagued, and he was released by the Bears following the 2018 season. He was also a member of the Arizona Cardinals (2019), San Francisco 49ers (2020), and New Orleans Saints (2021–2022).

Early life

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He was born Kevin Romone White Jr. on June 25, 1992.[1][citation needed] White played high school football at Emmaus High School in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, which competes in the East Penn Conference.[2]

College career

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After graduating high school, he attended Lackawanna College for two seasons before attending West Virginia University.[3] In his first season at West Virginia in 2013, he started nine of 11 games and had 35 receptions for 507 yards and five touchdowns.[4][5] White returned his senior season in 2014 as a starter.[6] He finished the season with 109 receptions for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns.[7] He was named an All-American by numerous publications and was a finalist for the Fred Biletnikoff Award.[8]

Statistics

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Year Team GP Receiving
Rec Yards TDs
2013 West Virginia 10 35 507 5
2014 West Virginia 13 109 1,447 10
Career 23 144 1,954 15

Professional career

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Pre-draft

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 2+58 in
(1.90 m)
215 lb
(98 kg)
32+58 in
(0.83 m)
9+14 in
(0.23 m)
4.35 s 1.53 s 2.54 s 4.14 s 6.92 s 36.5 in
(0.93 m)
10 ft 3 in
(3.12 m)
23 reps
All values from NFL Combine[9][10]

White was considered one of the two best wide receivers of the 2015 class, together with Amari Cooper.[11][12][13][14]

Chicago Bears

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He was drafted by the Chicago Bears with the seventh overall draft pick in the 2015 NFL draft.[15][16] On May 6, 2015, White signed a four-year, $15 million contract with the team.[17]

While participating in the Bears off-season program, White received a minor injury to his shin that held him out of several training camp practices. Shortly after returning, Bears general manager Ryan Pace announced on August 15, 2015, that White had suffered a stress fracture in his shin while participating in organized team activities that would require surgery. On August 23, 2015, White had a steel rod inserted into his left tibia and was placed on the Bears physically unable to perform (PUP) list.[18] White did not play a single game during his rookie season of 2015.[19]

After playing the first four games in the 2016 season, it was announced on October 5, 2016, that White had fractured the fibula in his left leg, the same leg he had injured the year before, and that he has been placed on injured reserve.[20]

White was a starter in the Bears' 2017 season-opener against the Atlanta Falcons. However, he fractured his left shoulder blade in the game. He recorded only two receptions for six yards during the game. White was placed on injured reserve for the third straight year on September 10, 2017.[21]

On May 2, 2018, the Bears declined White's fifth-year option.[22] On October 21, 2018, with the Bears trailing the New England Patriots 38–31 late in the game, White caught a 54-yard Hail Mary pass from quarterback Mitchell Trubisky as time expired. However, he was stopped one yard short, ensuring a Bears loss.[23]

Arizona Cardinals

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On March 15, 2019, White signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals,[24] but was released on August 21, 2019.[25] After sitting out the 2019 NFL season, White had a tryout with the New York Jets on August 20, 2020.[26]

San Francisco 49ers

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White signed with the San Francisco 49ers on August 27, 2020.[27] He was released on September 5, 2020, and signed to the practice squad the next day.[28][29] He was elevated to the active roster for the team's weeks 5, 6, and 9 games against the Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams, and Green Bay Packers, and reverted to the practice squad after each game.[30][31][32] He was placed on the practice squad/COVID-19 list by the team on December 22, 2020,[33] and restored to the practice squad on December 31.[34] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 4, 2021.[35] He was released by the 49ers on August 11, 2021.[36]

New Orleans Saints

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White signed with the New Orleans Saints on August 17, 2021.[37] He was released on August 31, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad.[38][39] On October 31, 2021, White made his first reception in three years, for 38 yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from quarterback Trevor Siemian.[40] The Saints went on to win 36-27.[41] He was signed to the active roster on November 13 and released a week later, on November 20. He was again resigned three days later, but released on November 30 and reassigned to the practice squad.[42][43] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Saints on January 12, 2022.[44]

On August 23, 2022, White was placed on injured reserve.[45] He was released four days later, on August 27. He was re-signed to the practice squad on October 5.[46] White was activated from the practice squad and made his 2022 debut for the Saints on October 20, where he recorded a career-long 64-yard reception in a 42–34 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.[47] He was signed to the active roster on November 7, 2022.[48] He was released on December 5, 2022.[49] He was signed back to the practice squad on December 7, 2022.[50] His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 8, 2023.

Personal life

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White has two younger brothers, Ka'Raun and Kyzir, who both played football at West Virginia.[51][52] Kyzir is a linebacker who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Chargers, where he played for three years before joining then Philadelphia Eagles's 2022 Super Bowl team, and presently playing with the Arizona Cardinals.[53][54]

References

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  1. ^ "Kevin White". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  2. ^ Wogenrich, Mark (April 30, 2015). "Emmaus High graduate Kevin White 'ready to be a star' for the Chicago Bears". mcall.com. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  3. ^ Groller, Keith (December 20, 2012). "Emmaus grad White is headed to West Virginia for football - tribunedigital-mcall". The Morning Call. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  4. ^ Cohn, Bob (August 6, 2014). "Former junior college receiver White starting to catch on with West Virginia". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  5. ^ Nesbitt, Stephen J. (September 5, 2014). "Mountaineers found a diamond in the rough in Kevin White". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  6. ^ Trotter, Jake (September 17, 2014). "West Virginia Mountaineers' Kevin White playing like a man on fire". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  7. ^ "Kevin White 2014 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  8. ^ "White One of Three Biletnikoff Award Finalists". West Virginia Mountaineers Athletics. November 25, 2014. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  9. ^ "Kevin White Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  10. ^ "2015 NFL Draft Scout Kevin White College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  11. ^ Baldinger, Brian (April 6, 2015). "Mock draft 2.0: Eagles keep on Ducking". NFL.com. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  12. ^ Zierlein, Lance (April 8, 2015). "Mock Draft 4.0: Perriman's ascent continues". NFL.com. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  13. ^ Casserly, Charley (April 13, 2015). "Mock Draft 2.0: Browns leap Jets to get Mariota". NFL.com. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  14. ^ "Bears take Kevin White in first round of 2015 NFL Draft, 7th overall". USAToday.com. USA Today. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  15. ^ Wiederer, Dan (April 30, 2015). "Bears GM Ryan Pace on Kevin White: 'Big-play weapon for us'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  16. ^ Wesseling, Chris (April 30, 2015). "Chicago Bears fans are going to love WR Kevin White". NFL.com. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
  17. ^ Wesseling, Chris (July 29, 2013). "Kevin White, Eddie Goldman agree to terms with Bears". NFL.com. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  18. ^ Campbell, Rich (October 15, 2015). "Bears remain cautious with injured rookie Kevin White". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  19. ^ Campbell, Rich (December 15, 2015). "Kevin White out for 2015 season". ChicagoTribune.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 15, 2015.
  20. ^ Mayer, Larry (October 5, 2016). "Bears put White on injured reserve". ChicagoBears.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017.
  21. ^ Bergman, Jeremy (September 10, 2017). "Bears WR Kevin White to IR with broken collarbone". NFL.com. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  22. ^ Patra, Kevin (May 2, 2018). "Bears decline Kevin White's fifth-year option". NFL.com. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  23. ^ Hoffman, Benjamin (October 21, 2018). "Patriots vs. Bears: New England Wins as Trubisky's Hail Mary Lands One Yard Short". The New York Times. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
  24. ^ Odegard, Kyle (March 15, 2019). "Cardinals Sign Wide Receiver Kevin White". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  25. ^ Bergman, Jeremy (August 21, 2019). "Cardinals cut former first-round WR Kevin White". NFL.com. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  26. ^ @AlbertBreer (August 20, 2020). "Today's tryout/visit list" (Tweet). Retrieved August 21, 2020 – via Twitter.
  27. ^ "49ers Announce Roster Moves". 49ers.com. August 27, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  28. ^ "49ers Announce Roster Moves". 49ers.com. September 5, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  29. ^ "49ers Sign 16 Players to the Practice Squad". 49ers.com. September 5, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  30. ^ Alper, Josh (October 10, 2020). "49ers call up Kevin White, place Ziggy Ansah and K'Waun Williams on IR". NBCSports.com. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  31. ^ Maiocco, Matt (October 17, 2020). "49ers bolster WR depth in pair of moves before playing Rams". NBCSports.com. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  32. ^ "49ers Announce Roster Moves". 49ers.com. November 5, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  33. ^ "49ers Announce Roster Moves". 49ers.com. December 22, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  34. ^ Delucchi, Marc (December 31, 2020). "49ers restore QB Josh Johnson, WR Kevin White to practice squad". USAToday.com. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  35. ^ "49ers Announce Roster Moves". 49ers.com. January 4, 2021. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  36. ^ "49ers Sign LB Donald Payne; Release WR Kevin White". 49ers.com. August 11, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  37. ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  38. ^ "New Orleans Saints make roster reductions to 53". NewOrleansSaints.com. August 31, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  39. ^ "New Orleans Saints announce practice squad additions". NewOrleansSaints.com. September 1, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  40. ^ Hall, Christopher (October 31, 2021). "WATCH: Kevin White Grabs First Reception in 3 Years". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  41. ^ Zucker, Joseph (October 31, 2021). "Trevor Siemian, Saints Hold Off Tom Brady, Buccaneers After Jameis Winston Injury". Bleacher Report. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  42. ^ Sigler, John (November 23, 2021). "Saints re-sign Kevin White and Ken Crawley, send two others to injured reserve". USAToday.com. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  43. ^ Sanders, Dylan (December 7, 2021). "Saints waive Kenny Stills and Malcolm Roach, sign Kevin White to practice squad". Canal Street Chronicles. SB Nation.
  44. ^ "Saints sign six players to reserve/future contracts". NewOrleansSaints.com. January 12, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  45. ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. August 23, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  46. ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. October 5, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  47. ^ Florio, Mike (October 21, 2022). "Kevin White provides the biggest highlight of his career". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  48. ^ Alper, Josh (November 7, 2022). "Saints activate P.J. Williams, add Kevin White and Jordan Howard to roster for Monday night". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  49. ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. December 5, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  50. ^ Ulrich, Logan (December 7, 2022). "Saints Re-Sign WR Kevin White to Practice Squad". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  51. ^ Taylor, Allen (June 17, 2015). "Kyzir White becomes highest-rated brother to commit to WVU". West Virginia Metro News. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  52. ^ Kane, Colleen (March 7, 2018). "Kevin White 'busting his tail' for another shot, Mitch Trubisky says". ChicagoTribune.com. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  53. ^ Wade, Richard (April 28, 2018). "Los Angeles Chargers Select LB Kyzir White". BoltsFromTheBlue.com. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
  54. ^ "Kyzir White Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
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