2015 NFL Draft Profile: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia

Dec 29, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver

Kevin White

(11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the game against the Texas A&M Aggies in the 2014 Liberty Bowl at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit:

Justin Ford

-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL Combine has been going full swing for more than two days now. The offensive side of the ball is done, you are likely watching the defensive line and linebackers as you look at this article.

We have been watching, commenting, analyzing, and all trying to figure out who would be the best fit for our beloved New York Jets when the draft arrives in late April. We have been debating the topic for weeks, and the Combine only enhances the debate.

Today, we are going to profile a standout performer during yesterday’s session. That standout is Kevin White, WR out of West Virginia.

Next: College Career

Nov 8, 2014; Austin, TX, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Kevin White (center) carries the ball against Texas Longhorns safety

Dylan Haines

(44) during the first half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

Here are his college stats:

Receiving & Rushing

Prior to his time at West Virginia, White spent two seasons at small Lackawanna College in Pennsylvania. While there, he posted 36 receptions for 545 yards and six touchdowns.

Kevin White can clearly play. 109 receptions to go along with ten scores is nothing to sneer at. Only playing two seasons at a major college could cause one to worry, but, those worries are soothed a bit by his performance in his bowl game this past year:

Seven receptions, 129 yards, one touchdown

Kevin White can get it done on the big stage, which will do nothing but help on the next level.

Next: Combine Performance

Feb 20, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White speaks to the media at the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

More from The Jet Press

At the Combine, White measured in at 6’3″, 210 pounds, a more than appropriate size for an NFL wide receiver. He gave us a blazing time in the 40 yard dash, 4.35 seconds. White’s vertical jump measured at 36.5 inches, and his broad jump was 123 inches.

Take a look at a recap of White’s combine performance:

Here are his observations from his NFL draft profile:

STRENGTHS: Has desired NFL frame for the position. Goes and gets the ball with consistency. Had issues with drops in 2013 after transferring in from JUCO, but caught everything in sight in 2014. High points the ball. Asked to run more types of routes in 2014 and delivered with increased productivity. Terrific inside release to beat press coverage. Creates separation on crossers and can stop on a dime on hitch routes. Makes defenders work to get him down after the catch. Competes when the ball is in the air. Looks to turn upfield immediately after short catch, running with desire and some power.

WEAKNESSES: Pigeon-toed and runs heel to toe. Allowed to play in space and must learn to get off line of scrimmage against press coverage. Must answer questions abound about his top-end speed. Wall-off blocker who could use more work in that area. Average wiggle after the catch and relies on effort over suddenness to pick up yards after catch.

On the next page we will look at some game footage, followed by my thoughts.

Next: Analysis

Kevin White is a stud. There really is no other way to say it. Kevin White catches the ball with his hands, every time. The previous page mentioned “drops” when he transferred from Lackawanna, he corrected that problem. He has soft hands, and secures it quickly, without having the dreaded “double catch”. He has the speed to get free, and can make the catch with a guy draped all over him as well.

The one thing we have to see is if he can play against press coverage. You don’t see it in college, so that will be a mystery until he gets to the next level. But, leading the position in bench press reps at the Combine leads one to believe he is pretty strong. White shouldn’t have a problem.

Kevin White would be a solid choice at number six for the New York Jets.

Next: Keeping Percy Harvin a Must

Home/Jets News