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Coming out of Lackawanna College, White decided to follow his brothers (current WVU receiver Ka'Raun and former receiver Chicago Bears first-round pick Kevin) to Morgantown. Kyzir was an excellent defender for Lackawanna, earning third-team all-conference honors as a freshman and JUCO All-American accolades in 2015 (37 tackles, three interceptions, four pass breakups in 10 games). The top 20 overall junior college prospect stepped into a starting role with the Mountaineers in 2016, playing the Spur hybrid safety/linebacker spot, compiling 58 tackles, seven for loss, three sacks, five pass break-ups, and two forced fumbles. White's work at Spur earned him second-team All-Big 12 notice from league coaches (94 tackles, 7.5 for loss, three interceptions, four pass break-ups, two forced fumbles).
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 3-4
NFL Comparison
Michael Boley
Overview
Like his brothers who also attended West Virginia, White was a late bloomer who was lightly recruited and began his journey at Lackawanna Junior College. Despite being a JUCO transfer, White has become a highly-respected team leader who leads by example with his fearless, physical play. Teams are looking to transition him into a hybrid role with the ability to cover tight ends like a safety and support the run like a linebacker. While he's nothing special as an athlete, his competitiveness and play-demeanor should earn him a spot as a starter.
Like his brothers who also attended West Virginia, White was a late bloomer who was lightly recruited and began his journey at Lackawanna Junior College. Despite being a JUCO transfer, White has become a highly-respected team leader who leads by example with his fearless, physical play. Teams are looking to transition him into a hybrid role with the ability to cover tight ends like a safety and support the run like a linebacker. While he's nothing special as an athlete, his competitiveness and play-demeanor should earn him a spot as a starter.
Strengths
- Gift wrapped, NFL-ready frame with good length and well-distributed musculation
- Expected to carry more weight and transition to hybrid role
- Comes from athletic family that is highly supportive
- Team captain and true team leader
- Plays every down with the same level of grit and urgency -- even when he's away from the ball
- Quick to diagnose
- Supports run with vigor along the edge and in contain
- Forceful hitter
- Thumps and engulfs targets while running his feet to finish
- Quick to diagnose play-action and retreat into coverage
- Very physical with tight ends in man coverage
- Has movement, size, and hands making it hard to finesse throws over him without risking a turnover
- Absolute freight train as a blitzer who looks to leave a mark on the quarterback
Weaknesses
- Safety role will have to be limited due to average play speed
- Better playing downhill
- Has man coverage limitations that may need to be managed according to the matchup
- Sluggish to open hips and transition smoothly from off-coverage
- Lacks fluid change of direction
- Could take time to adjust to more weight and a more physical role
- Needs to get stronger and better with his hands
- Average athlete
- Lacks explosiveness
- Could see inconsistencies as open-field tackler
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