The most important event of the NFL offseason is in the books. The Buccaneers used their most valuable pick on LSU middle linebacker Devin White, the highest ranked linebacker in the draft.
When White started his collegiate career with the Tigers he was known as a star running back at his high school in Springhill, LA, where he had rushed for 5,031 yards and a whopping 81 touchdowns. Even though he had multiple run-ins with the police in high school, he was able to sign with Lousiana State anyway.
In college, his coaches made him transition to linebacker, where he earned playing time as a fresh man and totalled 30 tackles. His sophomore year, he made 133 tackles and was named team captain, as his obvious leadership skills clearly surfaced.
In 2018, his junior year, he collected 123 tackles, 3 sacks and forced 3 fumbles in 13 games.
Considering the fact that the Bucs passed on Josh Allen, a potential future superstar pass rusher who miraculously was still on the board when Tampa Bay was on the clock, in order to acquire Devin White proves how high the Buccaneers organization is on the 21-year old. His impressive 4.42 40-yard dash time proves that he could easily be a fitting piece to Todd Bowles new, fast offense. 240 lbs linebackers with that kind of speed are hard to come by.
OXFORD, MS – OCTOBER 21: LSU Tigers linebacker Devin White (40) puts pressure on the Mississippi Rebels quarterback during the second quarter of a NCAA college football game on October 21, 2017, at Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium in Oxford, MS. LSU won 40-24. (Photo by Austin McAfee/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)In addition to his outstanding athleticism, he brings pass-rushing skills and coverage skills to the table. Certainly, he should get plenty of oportunities to prove he can rush the passer through the middle in Bowles’ new 3-4 defense.
Conclusively, White seems to be a player who can be the leader of Tampa Bay’s defense for many years to come.
However, if Josh Allen ends up becoming the superstar many believe he will, the Bucs will end up regretting this pick.
