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Smooth transition for White |
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Wednesday, 11 November 2009 |
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 Kim Murrell/For the Daily News Mississippi State linebacker Chris White (50) makes a tackle against Tim Tebow during the Florida game in October. By AARON SEIDLITZ
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There was one thing more than any other that surprised freshman safety Johnthan Banks during his 100-yard interception return for a touchdown three weekends ago against Florida.
That one thing was that he had a lead blocker on the play, and that person way out ahead of the group of pursuing players was outside linebacker Chris White.
Banks was stunned at his speed, and that was basically the one thought the young player remembers from that emotional run back.
Yes, White’s speed has made an impression.
It did back in the spring when he came to Mississippi State as a junior from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
He reported early to partake in spring ball, because he knew one thing: he was going to have to prove something quickly at the Southeastern Conference level if he was going to play.
“That’s what you got to do. You have to prove yourself all over again at the SEC level,” White said. “Everybody is like, ‘You’re a new guy, so you got to come out and here make plays.’
“It’s taken me a while to prove myself, but I think I’m starting to.”
That thing that he probably proved quicker than anything else was that he could move.
The speed with which he could attack from the linebacker position impressed, and it doesn’t hurt that his quickness comes in the mold of a 6-foot-3, 245-pound person.
In total, White possessed a group of attributes that had former coach Sylvester Croom touting him as a potential starting linebacker well before he ever stepped on the MSU campus.
New head coach Dan Mullen obviously agreed with that assessment, as White became the front runner very quickly for the third linebacking position.
Already entrenched was fifth-year, returning senior Jamar Chaney in the middle, and junior K.J. Wright at an outside spot. Those two provided the basis for White to learn from and compete against from the get-go.
“I think he did a good job, and it hasn’t hurt having a couple guys like me and K.J. helping him with the process,” Chaney said. “And with him getting here in the spring that really helped out a lot too, so when we got in the fall he was on the same page we were on.”
But physical talent is just one aspect of becoming a solid linebacker at this level, so White went about learning the game.
He had the tools, but it was time to see it in action. Quickly a linebacker can be surprised by the quickness of opposing offensive linemen and running backs in this league.
White seemed to be effective in the spring while learning, and he earned that starting spot.
But he was still learning, and Mullen saw a player still a little tentative at the beginning of the season. White ended the season-opening Jackson State game with just two tackles.
That quickly changed, however.
White claimed six tackles and one for a loss against Auburn, and since then the fewest tackles he’s registered in the seven games played is four against LSU – and three of those were solo tackles.
He posted nine tackles, and a half of one for a loss against Houston. He had eight tackles and one fumble recovery two weekends ago against Kentucky.
All of a sudden the new linebacker went from one of promising skill to a consistent performer in the SEC.
“Chris is continually improving and getting better,” Mullen said. “Chris is a great athlete – good size, good speed coming in here for us – but what I think you’re starting to see now is a guy who is starting to understand our defensive scheme better.
“Also, he’s really starting to understand offensive schemes and what they’re trying to do.”
That understanding completes the package that started with speed, and that speed has become a point of contention amongst a competitive group of MSU linebackers.
When Banks returned that interception against Florida with White leading the way, he declared White to be one of the fastest players on the team.
Mullen said on Monday that White was the fastest linebacker on the team.
When asked about it, though, Chaney took a step back and hesitated.
“I don’t know,” Chaney said. “If you ask him, he’ll probably say, ‘Yeah.’ If you ask K.J., he’ll probably say he is and I’ll say I am.
“We all got confidence in our speed.”
That confidence has parlayed itself into other areas as well. The three linebackers are State’s three leading tacklers.
Chaney has a team-best 73, Wright has 65 and a group-best six for a loss and White has fit in with 56 tackles, four for a loss and a half of a sack.
It’s become confident group can all run to the ball, but a humble White snuck in one opinion as to whether he is the fastest linebacker of the three.
“Yes, sir,” he said.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 12 November 2009 )
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