Positional ranking: #1

Big Board ranking: #4

 

Overview

Position: LB

College: LSU

Class: Junior

Age: 21

 

Measurables

Height: 6’0”

Weight: 237 lbs.

Arm length: 32 1/8”

Hand size: 9 3/4″

 

Athletic testing

40-yard dash: 4.42 sec.

Vertical jump: 39.5”

Broad jump: 118.0”

Bench press: 22 reps

3-cone drill: 7.07 sec.

Short shuttle: 4.17 sec.

 

Strengths

Blazing speed at linebacker. High-end football intelligence and character. Wrap-up tackler with unmatched production. Very explosive. Sees a gap and quickly gets in the backfield. Scrapes down the line of scrimmage to beat ball-carriers to the perimeter. Phenomenal closing burst. Breaks down in space. Uses length and quickness to shed blockers. Fearless in short-yardage situations. Attacks the ball to force fumbles. Excellent timing as a blitzer. Too fast/powerful for most tight ends and running backs in pass protection. Reads the quarterback’s eyes in zone coverage. Has elite athleticism to carry receivers down the seam.

 

Weaknesses

Will likely have to deal with more blockers reaching him at the next level. Didn’t consistently match up in man-to-man coverage for the Tigers.

 

NFL comparison

Patrick Willis – Another similar comp is last year’s No. 8 overall pick Roquan Smith, but in my opinion, White is more of a pure inside linebacker like Willis—a five-time All-Pro that could run, tackle, blitz, and cover.

 

Conclusion

Overall, Devin White is an impact, three-down linebacker that has the speed and football intelligence to make plays all over the field, including as a blitzer and in coverage. Even in a top-heavy defensive class, White is worth considering as a top-five pick.