There weren’t many undrafted rookies on the Raiders camp roster this year. Mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic cancelling the offseason activities and preseason games. But there was still a standout among them.
He is Oakland native and UNLV alum, Javin White. The undrafted linebacker signed with the team he was meant to be with. The team he grew up watching in Oakland and who joined him in Las Vegas just after he graduated from UNLV.
From the moment he arrived in training camp for the Raiders, White impressed his coaches and teammates. Jon Gruden raved about him early on as did defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, calling him “a pleasant surprise” and comparing him to several of the undrafted standouts he had in Cincinnati over the years.
Teammate Maxx Crosby at one point called him “an animal.”
But as camp went on, Guenther toned down his praise of White. But what was interesting about it is, it doesn’t sound like their opinion had changed. Just more that they didn’t want to hype him up too much, so they could hide him on the practice squad.
“He’s done a nice job,” Guenther said on August 20. “Of course, he’s still got a long way to go. It’s a natural progression as a rookie linebacker trying to learn some of the different coverages and the run fits and all that stuff. But he’s a good communicator and he’s still learning. He has a lot of good play and play he needs to clean up. So, he’s a typical rookie guy that has some talent that we’re excited to work with.”
Asking him back onto the practice squad should he clear waivers is exactly what the Raiders intend on doing, according to a source. White looks like he could be a solid young contributor and the Raiders are hoping that happens for them, while also not having to release any other linebackers they wish to hold onto.