If you were to look on the field this spring, you’d see something you’re not used to seeing line up for the Mountaineers. For the past couple of years fans have seen guys like 5’7″ Tavon Austin and 5’6″ Jock Sanders stare down corner backs from the offensive side. This fall, a 6’4″ 210 pound JUCO transfer will don a WVU uniform and he’s being projected to be a force to be reckoned with.
Kevin White stepped foot on campus this spring and has been exciting Mountaineer fans ever since.
According to David Ubben, ESPN.com’s Big 12 writer, White is a first-year player to watch in the conference this fall.
White is a big body at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds and a different kind of receiver than West Virginia is used to suiting up, but after losing Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey, a ton of targets will be available in a receiving corps that has little experience, even with the boost of Ivan McCartney‘s return. He already showed his ability in the spring game, turning a screen pass into a 46-yard score. He’ll get plenty of opportunities to do that some more this fall.
– David Ubben
JD Woods was the tallest receiver who made an impact for the Mountaineers last season and he stood 6’0″. A few years back, quarterback turned receiver Brad Starks stood at 6’3″ but struggled a bit with the position switch. Before that, there was Wes Lyons. Lyons stood a staggering 6’8″ but some fans would use “hands of stone” to describe his catching abilities.
The average height of a corner back in the NCAA is 6’0″. With White standing at 6’4″ and having strong, athletic hands and quick feet, White can be a top performer within the Air Raid offense.
Recruit Shelton Gibson is 5″11 and should be a great compliment for White. Between the two of them and Jordan Thompson in the slot, the WVU receivers are working hard to live up to the precedent that Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin set over the last four years.
