Tag: devin white stats

Draft Wire ranks Devin White as the 12th-best rookie of 2019

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie linebacker Devin White came in at No. 12 on Draft Wire’s list of the top 50 rookies of 2019.

The 2019 season is in the books, but it gave us a glimpse of the future with an impressive rookie class. From QB Kyler Murray dazzling in Arizona to edge Maxx Crosby coming out of nowhere for the Raiders to record 10.0 sacks, there’s a lot to look forward to when the 2020 season rolls around.

Over at Draft Wire, Gavino Borquez listed the top 50 NFL rookies of 2019, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White landed just outside the top 10, coming in at 12.

While some fans may argue he belongs higher on the list (and they’d be right), remember that White did miss time early in the season after suffering a sprained knee in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers. He came on strong in the second half of the season, though, winning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for both November and December, but I guess it wasn’t enough to crack the top 10 on Draft Wire’s list.

Still, there’s no doubt Tampa Bay and its fans are excited for what the future holds for White and this young defense. And, given that the team holds the 14th pick in April’s draft, they can add even more talent to Todd Bowles’ defensive unit, perhaps even Devin White’s former LSU teammate.

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This preseason prediction about Devin White almost came true

If not for an injury and slow start to his rookie season, Bucs linebacker Devin White could’ve accomplished this.

Everyone knows that when it comes to the NFL draft, nothing is a sure thing. Even though a player gets drafted first overall, you never know if you’re getting a Andrew Luck or JaMarcus Russell.

But for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who held the fifth overall pick in last year’s draft, there’s no question that they hit a home run with their first round selection of linebacker Devin White out of LSU.

White was seen by many experts as the best linebacker in his class, and in her preseason prediction for the Buccaneers, Jenna Laine of ESPN predicted White would win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Per Laine:

“If it weren’t for White’s health, there’s a good chance this could have happened. Instead, he started the season playing through tonsillitis and then suffered a sprained MCL in Week 2. In the final six games, he registered two sacks, four fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, one interception and two defensive touchdowns. He was named NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month for November and December.”

Several other experts predicted White would take home the coveted rookie honor, but after his knee sprain in Week 2 he saw his odds of winning the award drop. Despite a strong finish, it may not be enough to get him over the top.

Still, Bucs fans have to be excited to see what White does in his sophomore season and beyond.

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Devin White continues to prove his worth in loss to Saints

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have lost yesterday’s divisional rematch against the New Orleans Saints, but one of the big takeaways from the game was the continued growth of rookie linebacker Devin White. The former LSU star, who was selected fifth …

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have lost yesterday’s divisional rematch against the New Orleans Saints, but one of the big takeaways from the game was the continued growth of rookie linebacker Devin White.

The former LSU star, who was selected fifth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, had a rough go of things to start the season. Leading up to Week 1’s opener, White struggled with tonsillitis and lost 10 pounds because of the illness. Then, in Week 2, he suffered a knee sprain that sidelined him for several weeks.

Now healthy, White has been showing off some of the crazy athleticism that had many people picking him as a preseason favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.

In Week 8’s loss to the Tennessee Titans, White had a monster tackle on Titans punter Brett Kern during a trick play. White’s tackle knocked the ball out of Kern’s hand and was returned for a Bucs touchdown, but the refs inexplicably called Kern down by contact.

The following week in Seattle, White prevented a touchdown run by Seahawks running back Chris Carson, sprinting down field like a bat out of hell to catch him.

And then, in yesterday’s loss to the Saints, White set a new career-high with 13 tackles, 11 of which were solo. He also had some highlight-worthy moments, like the one below.

While the team may be just 3-7, seeing White’s emergence into a star linebacker bodes well for this defense’s future.

Shades of Derrick Brooks, perhaps?

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