Draft Prospect Profile: Pat White, QB West Virginia
Name: Pat White
Position: Quarterback
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 192 LBs
Excellence shined in a come from behind win that included 26 of 32 passing for 332 yards and 3 touchdowns from Senior West Virginia quarterback Pat White in the Meineke Car Care Bowl against the North Carolina Tar Heels.
White continued to show, as he has all season and throughout his career that he could be a professional quarterback. White, who many compare to Mike Vick (only on the field), is arguably the best rushing quarterback in college football history. His rushing ability, which includes 974 yards on the ground in 2008, is not what is in question. It’s his height and throwing ability.
Scouting
At 6’1” White goes into the combine a little smaller than the average quarterback prospect. With the lack of size, comes doubt and many NFL scouts believe that Pat White would be a better running back or wide receiver. Either way, there is not a doubt that White is an NFL athlete, it just comes down to whether he can make adjustments or not. I honestly think he would have the most value as at the quarterback position. There are plenty of good quarterbacks that are undersized (see Drew Brees) that can have success. What matters is that he is a playmaker. Twice in his four colligate seasons has his QB rating been over 150. In his four years, he has accumulated 56 passing touchdowns compared to 23 interceptions. Throughout his career he has thrown for 6000 plus yards. Not bad for a running quarterback.
Granted, he only went over 200 yards passing three times this year, it is still worth a team to take a look at Pat White late in the draft, in hopes of developing a starter for the future. In a deep quarterback class (Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow, Matt Stafford), White could be the diamond in the rough, or he could be the best of the busts (Vince Young, Eric Couch, Akali Smith). Any way it ends up, He is worth a mid-round draft pick talent wise.
Personality
According to West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart, White is, “the greatest winner of college football today.” Stewart also went on to say that White is “the greatest to ever wear the old gold and blue.” Beyond on the field, Pat White has also drawn great raves from his head coach. Bill Stewart continued the praise of White after the Meineke Car Care Bowl, saying that He hopes his son turns out to be the type of man that White is. It is that type of attitude that teams these days have to be looking for, considering many athletes shoot themselves in the leg in off the field situations (pun fully intended).
On the field, there has never been a question about his desire to win. White has started four bowl games and bought home three consecutive bowl game MVPs to end his college career. With that being said, it seems that White would do whatever it takes to get on the football field. Those are the guys that you want playing for you on Sundays.
Comparisons
Pat White often reminds me of Mike Vick, simply because of the way both took over ballgames at the college level. Size wise, they match up pretty well, and I believe that White can produce that well in time.
Combining his attitude, smarts and play on the field, I do see flashes of Randall Cunningham. Is that to say that White is really that talented? No. But he could be that type of game changer on the field.
Hey, remember he beat Oklahoma and this year's Heisman winner…that says something. He is worth a high pick as a QB.
January 14th, 2009 at 8:50 ampat white has always proven his critics wrong and will continue to do so in the nfl.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:23 pmi think pat white is the best player to put on a blue and gold outfit i think he should be a late 2nd round or early 3rd a good steel by the forth
January 26th, 2009 at 4:17 amSorry guys but Pat white will never play quarterback in the nfl. He is the best mountaineer of all time and a great guy. He will start out returning punts much like a josh cribbs (remember cribs played quarterback in college). Hey will also be worked in as a wideout and at running back especially in gadjet type plays. I could see him goint 3-4th round unless he proves his wide reciever skills in the combine. Either way, put the ball in his hands and he will make plays. I would love to see the my team (baltimore) pick up white.
February 6th, 2009 at 12:07 amPat White is an incredible person who has all of the athleticism, heart, and other intangibles to take any NFL team to competitiveness and winning with class. The guy has made smart choices in his life and on the football field. He let evyone know that his heart is in the game of football and at the quarterback position when he sadi no to the money and a major league pitching career with a good MLB team, the Angels. WVU has a knack of making a special type of athlete…but Pat wont by the kind that makes a mockery of his gifts or his alma mater at the next level. That being said, he is what I would want in a franchise quarterback…a charismatic leader with dynamite athleticism who has already demonstrated maturity and self confidence at a young age.
February 9th, 2009 at 11:58 pmyou are correct, White is a winner you cannot teach that, he must have the ball on every play, just stand back and watch you think he was special in colledge just somebody give him a chance in the pros and you wont be sorry, people like him come around once in a decade better grab him.
February 14th, 2009 at 7:55 amI have seen White do some radical stuff when it came down to winning and losing as a quarterback…sport fan is dead on….this dude can overtake a game and leave you wondering for hours what in the heck he just did….almost like magic. I dont think there is any comparison to Pat…he is a one of a kind when it comes to intangibles…I dont have a favorite NFL team but I would like to have the joy of that…whatever NFL team demonstrates they are smart enough and courageous enough to go with what critics believe is a gamble…. is at the very least going to bring me to the TV after Saturday is done. Patrick White will be remembered 20 years from now as an NFL phenom…maybe not for his touchdowns or rushing yards (although I seriously doubt that)..but also for his win loss ratio and the respect he garnered from teamates and fans. This is a truly blessed individual who has pursued a dream to become an NFL quarterback…..obviously his dream is more important to him than money and fame…I think he believes it to be his destiny ….and if corporate NFL cant see that then I dont think it should be respected the way that it is. After all, this great country is known as the land of opportunity. Let a player play.
February 18th, 2009 at 5:28 amAmen
February 19th, 2009 at 5:26 pmThis in about a week ago….Former West Virginia University quarterback Pat White records the fastest 40 yd dash at the NFL combine…a slow 4.49 (for him)…and throws more strikes than any contender in a game feild of passing able competition. Im thinking hut hut hike and 6 points on a scoreboard anywhere in the National Football League. ….at will.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:56 amFirst there was Major Harris (the guy everybody needed before they realized it), then there was Darian Hagan (another guy who deserved a chance a didnt get it), then came Mike Vick (no comment), and now……….Pat White (THE BEGINNING OF WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN)
March 7th, 2009 at 7:01 ampat white is pretty good when it comes to QB but idk about him being a wide recevier.
May 5th, 2009 at 3:19 pmpat white is good as aQB but idk about him being a wide recevier.
May 5th, 2009 at 3:23 pmpat white is the best.
May 5th, 2009 at 3:25 pm