Football

Linebacker Devin White guided by his faith heading into NFL Draft as projected top-5 pick

By Joshua Doering Apr 25, 2019
Linebacker Devin White (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Every year, the NFL invites 20 or so of the top prospects to attend the draft in person. The invitees are almost always projected first-round picks.

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Among the 24 prospects to attend this year’s draft in Nashville, Tenn., which begins at 8 p.m. ET Thursday, will be former LSU linebacker Devin White. If things go as expected, he will not have to wait long to hear his name called. White is a projected top-10 pick, and many experts have him going fifth or sixth as the first linebacker off the board.

His draft stock soared after his junior season in 2018, when White became the first player in program history to win the Butkus Award, given annually to the best linebacker in college football. He was also a consensus first-team All-American, earning first-team honors in four of the five media organizations officially recognized by the NCAA.

After his award-winning season, White decided to forfeit his final year of eligibility and enter the 2019 NFL Draft. He posted a video announcing his intention to turn pro. In the video, White gave thanks to God and referenced Luke 12:48, which says in part, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”

After LSU’s pro day on March 22, the New Orleans Saints posted a video of White making a one-handed catch during a drill. White quoted the tweet with the caption, “God, You have been so awesome to me”.

White recorded 286 total tackles in his three seasons at LSU, including 28.5 tackles for loss. Over the past two years, he averaged 128 tackles, 12.8 tackles for loss and 3.8 sacks.

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