MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Nickel back K.J. Dillon’s first-hand camp critique of West Virginia’s passing game? It’s infinitely better and hard to contain.
And which receiver has given DBs the most fits?
“Kevin White, by far. Put that on camera,” Dillon said. “Kevin White has been a pain to cover. Look out for him.”
White’s size and talent were evident this time last year, also, making his 35-catch junior season seem underwhelming. Dillon has seen a more-determined player through 16 days of preseason camp, claiming White has “just turned into a dog.” That aligns with rave reviews from quarterback Clint Trickett and offensive coaches.
“Kevin, man, he’s a boss now,” Dillon said. “I guess he just got fed up with people saying he was a mediocre, average receiver and he did something about it.”
The change extends beyond running truer routes and making more catches. When White’s blocking overpowered safety Karl Joseph during Oklahoma drills, the receiver sprang up with hollering taunts of “TOO EASY! TOO EASY!” that sent teammates into hysteria.
“He came out of his shell, and now he’s getting in people’s faces, getting a little nasty,” said Dillon. “I like that. I hope he does it against other teams, starting off with Bama.”
LESS MESS?
White’s improvement might also extend to domestic duties. He rooms with receiver Daikiel Shorts, running back Wendell Smallwood and cornerback Daryl Worley, and owns the rep for being the messiest of the bunch.
“Kevin’s a big guy and he can eat, but sometimes he’ll just leave a plate there,” said Shorts. “I just look at him like ‘Yo, what’s up?’
“But ever since he got his girlfriend, she stays on top of him so he’s cleaning up now.”