2018 NFL Draft: Key strengths and weaknesses for Mike White
Weakness: Blitz Recognition
Mike White receives something of a pass due to the fact that the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers had an atrocious offensive line. He was constantly under pressure, which inevitably resulted in increased sack and turnover totals.
Some of the issues that White encountered in 2018 were of his own doing, however, which has led some to question if he can properly identify and react to disguised blitz packages.
White was sacked a downright absurd 46 times during the 2017 college football season. That creates some questions about his durability, but the bigger issue that scouts have is that he didn’t always make the best decisions under pressure.
It may be unfair to judge White for such an issue when the offensive line consistently let him down, but 46 sacks is a number that’s about more than just the linemen.
It’s also of concern that White committed 12 fumbles durning the 2017 season. His hands aren’t necessarily small at 9.5″, which ranks in the 45th percentile amongst quarterbacks, but when the pocket collapses, he too often seems to lose his composure.
This is a coachable flaw, but it’s still on White to be able to see defense coming and know when—and perhaps more importantly, how—to take the sack.