MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia receiver Kevin White didn’t mind being off-limits to reporters during spring and summer. In fact, he said the prospect of dealing with the media was more daunting than learning Dana Holgorsen’s offense.
“Yeah, I was nervous. I was a little scared,” he said Friday. “But now I’m good to go.”
Fielding interview requests wasn’t part of the experience at Lackawanna (Pa.) College, where the 6-foot-3 White transformed himself from a nondescript player into a Division I prospect.
As the Mountaineers entered their second day of preseason camp, White seemed comfortable with the cameras and the realization he’s aiming to replace the 114 catches, 1,622 yards and nation-leading 25 touchdowns that Stedman Bailey compiled at outside receiver last season.
“It’s like, can I do that next? Will my numbers be better or worse?” White said. “I compare me and Sted, and I think, ‘Well, I’m bigger, so can my numbers be better?'”
Before chasing the Biletnikoff, White understands he’s simply chasing a spot in WVU’s rotation, whereby position coach Lonnie Galloway is seeking to designate his best six receivers. White owned up to some confusing moments during spring practice, but said he now comprehends the routes, reads and responsibilities of the offense.
“Now, when I get the calls, I’m ready to go,” he said.
White is relishing the athletic resources of a program like West Virginia, which stand as quite a leap from the low-budget anonymity of the junior college ranks,
“A lot of people don’t make it in juco—it’s a struggle,” he said. “You don’t get the free gear, you don’t get the film room or the eating for free. Nothing like that. It’s just a grind up there.
“The Lackawanna boys are my brothers, but everyone’s for theirself there, because you’ve got to get out and everyone’s trying to go D-I.”