INDIANAPOLIS – Devin White is considered the top inside linebacker available in this draft, and he would love the opportunity to play with a current NFL linebacker he looked up to in college – Lions MIKE linebacker Jarrad Davis.
"He's got a YouTube video that I used to watch before a couple of my games and I'd just watch the passion that he played with," White said of Davis, who also played in the SEC at Florida, Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine. "So, just letting us roam that middle at the same (time), that's another great linebacker... an up and coming great linebacker. I feel like we'd play exceptionally well (together). If they (Detroit) want to get me, I'm willing to go, and willing to put the work in."
Speed kills in the NFL, especially at the linebacker position, and Davis and White together would be pretty scary in that regard.
White is one of the more interesting inside linebacker prospects to come through the Combine in recent history because of his sideline to sideline speed.
The first Butkus Award winner in LSU history, White (6-0, 237), ran a 4.42 in the 40-yard dash Sunday. To put that in a little bit of perspective, inside linebackers rarely reach that speed at the combine. The 200 inside linebackers that were drafted since 2005 ran an average 4.75 seconds in the 40-yard dash, according to Pro Football Reference, and only three have run under 4.5 seconds. White led a group of speedy linebackers today, as both Michigan's Devin Bush (4.43) and Texas' Gary Johnson (4.43) ran under the 4.5 second mark.
"White has what teams are looking for at the position: The ability to run, cover and blitz," NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said earlier this week.
"When you have linebackers that can't cover, you will get picked on repeatedly, It's hard to hide out there when you have a linebacker who can't cover. To me, you start right there. He's going to be able to run and cover and help match up with some of the better tight ends and even some of these backs. It's a huge asset."
The multiple scheme that head coach Matt Patricia has installed in Detroit is very linebacker friendly, especially with the talent the Lions have put together in the middle of the defensive line with Damon Harrison, A'Shawn Robinson, Da'Shawn Hand and others.
Davis improved in nearly every category from his rookie season, totaling 100 tackles (73 solo), 6.0 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits and five pass defenses in 2018. He was one of two players to produce 100-plus tackles and 6.0-plus sacks in the NFL in 2018, and his coverage skills improved tremendously as well. Now imagine a player of White's skill set playing alongside Davis at the WILL. The speed, youth and playmaking ability could be dynamic.
View photos of the prospects that met the media on Day 3 of the 2019 NFL Combine.
Georgia defensive lineman Jonathan Ledbetter talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Old Dominion defensive lineman Oshane Ximines talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Oklahoma State defensive lineman Jordan Brailford talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Miami defensive lineman Joe Jackson talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Wyoming defensive lineman Carl Granderson talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Florida State defensive lineman Brian Burns talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Ohio State defensive lineman Nick Bosa talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
TCU defensive lineman Ben Banogu talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Penn State defensive lineman Shareef Miller talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Mississippi State defensive lineman Montez Sweat talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Maryland defensive lineman Byron Cowart talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
North Carolina defensive lineman Malik Carney talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
TCU defensive lineman L.J. Collier talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Charleston defensive lineman John Cominsky talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Iowa defensive lineman Anthony Nelson talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
North Carolina A&T defensive lineman Darryl Johnson talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Mississippi State defensive lineman Gerri Green talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Florida defensive lineman Cece Jefferson talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Oregon defensive lineman Jalen Jelks talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Eastern Michigan defensive lineman Maxx Crosby talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Boston College defensive lineman Wyatt Ray talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Northern Illinois defensive lineman Sutton Smith talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Boston College defensive lineman Zach Allen talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Michigan defensive lineman Rashan Gary talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Florida defensive lineman Jachai Polite talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Akron defensive lineman Jamal Davis talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Clemson defensive lineman Austin Bryant talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Texas defensive lineman Charles Omenihu talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Michigan defensive lineman Chase Winovich talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Clemson defensive lineman Clelin Ferrell talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Ohio State defensive lineman Dre'Mont Jones talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Kansas defensive lineman Daniel Wise talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Washington defensive lineman Greg Gaines talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Texas A&M defensive lineman Kingsley Keke talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Texas A&M defensive lineman Daylon Mack talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
UCF defensive lineman Trysten Hill talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Alabama defensive lineman Quinnen Williams talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Miami defensive lineman Gerald Willis talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Clemson defensive lineman Christian Wilkins talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Clemson defensive lineman Bert Huggins talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Missouri defensive lineman Terry Beckner talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Penn State defensive lineman Kevin Givens talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Arizona State defensive lineman Renell Wren talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Alabama defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Notre Dame defensive lineman Jerry Tillery talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Western Illinois defensive lineman Khalen Saunders talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Clemson defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Houston defensive lineman Ed Oliver talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Auburn defensive lineman Dontavius Russell talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Arkansas defensive lineman Armon Watts talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Minnesota linebacker Blake Cashman talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Washington linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Alabama linebacker Mack Wilson talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Kentucky linebacker Josh Allen talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Georgia linebacker D'Andre Walker talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Stanford linebacker Bobby Okereke talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Texas A&M linebacker Tyrell Dodson talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Notre Dame linebacker Te'Von Coney talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Texas Tech linebacker Dakota Allen talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Texas linebacker Gary Johnson talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Arkansas linebacker Dre Greenlaw talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
South Carolina linebacker Bryson Allen-Williams talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Houston linebacker Emeke Egbule talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Auburn linebacker Deshaun Davis talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Texas A&M linebacker Otaro Alaka talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Wisconsin linebacker Ryan Connelly talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Fresno State linebacker Jeff Allison talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Duke linebacker Joe Giles-Harris talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Wisconsin linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
USC linebacker Cameron Smith talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
NC State linebacker Germaine Pratt talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Wisconsin linebacker T.J. Edwards talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Florida linebacker Vosean Joseph talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Michigan linebacker Devin Bush talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
LSU linebacker Devin White talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Alabama linebacker Christian Miller talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
TCU linebacker Ty Summers talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Notre Dame linebacker Drue Tranquill talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Hawaii linebacker Jahlani Tavai talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Northwestern linebacker Nate Hall talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
BYU linebacker Sione Takitaki talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
USC linebacker Porter Gustin talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Missouri linebacker Terez Hall talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Clemson linebacker Kendall Joseph talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Oregon linebacker Justin Hollins talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
Utah linebacker Chase Hansen talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
New Mexico State linebacker Terrill Hall talks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 2 2019 in Indianapolis. (Detroit Lions via AP)
"Nowadays, tight ends are getting more athletic and they are able to be used versatilely in the offensive scheme," White said. "But I'm a guy that can play inside or if we're having trouble with a tight end in our zone coverage catching a lot of balls, you can stick Devin White on him and (I'll) stop him. That's very important and I pride myself on speed."
White led LSU with 123 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, six pass breakups, and three forced fumbles this past season.
Teams value linebackers that can do multiple things and stay on the field, even in sub packages, which teams nowadays are in about 70 percent of the time. White seems to have that kind of game. He's like last year's No. 8 overall pick, Bears inside linebacker Roquan Smith, in that regard. White says his game has a lot of similarities to Smith's.
Lions general manager Bob Quinn is on the lookout for playmakers on both sides of the ball, and White's college film fits the description. Most analysts expect him to be a top 10 pick. He could very much be part of the conversation for the Lions at No. 8, especially with Patricia's affinity for the position.
