02-05-2023, 11:53 AM
(This post was last modified: 02-09-2023, 05:50 PM by xenosthelegend. Edited 6 times in total.)
Bruce White Draft Profile
College: Texas A&M
Position: Defensive End
Archetype: Power Rusher
Overview
Elite edge rusher who possesses rare explosiveness and the fluid-movement skills. Has great power and a relentless motor to keep the heat on offensive lineman and quarterbacks throughout the game. White is most productive on the edge but can be moved inside on certain packages due to his size/speed combination. He's a lift-and-leverage run defender at the point of attack but fits into a "team defender" column more than "premium run-stopper" category. He's a force-based rusher with anchor-busting power and the ability to get to his counters when the rush begins to stall. Even though his rush is mostly predicated on power and strength, has the ability to use his speed and agility in conjunction with his power. Will need to continue developing his speed and fluidity to become elite. His Bull Rush and Rip have wreaked havoc in the SEC for two years and will translate well at the ISFL level as long as he can continue to develop hip drop and learn to use his leverage as well as his strength. With just two full seasons under his belt, there will be more development headed White's way. He's a future starter as a strong-side defender in an even or odd front, with the potential to be a future star pass rusher in the ISFL. White still needs to fine-tune his pass-rush strategy and could stand to give more consistent effort from the start of the snap until the whistle. But his pass-rush production and athletic traits point toward an all-pro career.
The No. 1 skill for a pass-rusher is his get-off, as the goal is to break the relationship between a bookend and a quarterback. White's burst off the line of scrimmage ranks as either the best or second-best in the class. The second-most important trait is a player's ability to bend the edge, limiting his surface area, not wasting movement and ripping to put a bookend behind him once he's in a winning position with his legs. White, since the moment he stepped on the field for Texas A&M, has been able to execute in this area of his game at a high level.
There is no doubt that White is freakish athletic. He has ridiculous speed and a developed body with natural strength. The junior has a tremendous first-step out of his stance. After his get-off, he quickly accelerates to turn the corner. He has the ability to sink his hips and bend around the tackles to get pointed to the quarterback. White has good balance and natural strength to fight off blockers. There are times where he also flashed speed to power and pushed offensive tackles into the pocket after getting upfield.
Aside from his blinding speed and strength, White has instincts to go for forced fumbles and batted passes. He isn't just a great athlete; he's a football player who happens to be a great athlete. White can redirect extremely well with superb pursuit skills. He has active hands to fight off blockers, and a motor that doesn't underwhelm.
White isn't a finished product, so there are things he can improve on. There were plays in the run game that saw him get pushed backward, although his run defense was improved as a junior. If White stays in a 4-3 defense, he could use more strength for holding his gap against downhill runs. He also could get in trouble in this regard by standing up too high. While White is a powerful edge rusher, he should continue to work on pass-rushing moves for use against DSFL offensive tackles.
Strengths
Weaknesses:
Pro Comparisons: JJ Watt, Nick Bosa, Cameron Jordan, George Karlaftis
Best Team Fits
Dallas Birddogs:
The Dallas Birddogs currently do not have any Defensive Ends, or defensive lineman for that matter, on their roster. White could come in and almost immediately become an impact player for his hometown team.
Kansas City Coyotes:
With only two Defensive Ends who could be moving up into the ISFL on their roster, the Kansas City Coyotes might be looking to shore up some impending defensive line issues with White being able to come in as a high level addition to the team.
Norfolk Seawolves:
With Iosefa Fuamatu-Ma’afala possibly going early in the ISFL draft, White could be a nice, high-level replacement even if he has big shoes to fill. White could help the Seawolves out very, very quickly.
College: Texas A&M
Position: Defensive End
Archetype: Power Rusher
Overview
Elite edge rusher who possesses rare explosiveness and the fluid-movement skills. Has great power and a relentless motor to keep the heat on offensive lineman and quarterbacks throughout the game. White is most productive on the edge but can be moved inside on certain packages due to his size/speed combination. He's a lift-and-leverage run defender at the point of attack but fits into a "team defender" column more than "premium run-stopper" category. He's a force-based rusher with anchor-busting power and the ability to get to his counters when the rush begins to stall. Even though his rush is mostly predicated on power and strength, has the ability to use his speed and agility in conjunction with his power. Will need to continue developing his speed and fluidity to become elite. His Bull Rush and Rip have wreaked havoc in the SEC for two years and will translate well at the ISFL level as long as he can continue to develop hip drop and learn to use his leverage as well as his strength. With just two full seasons under his belt, there will be more development headed White's way. He's a future starter as a strong-side defender in an even or odd front, with the potential to be a future star pass rusher in the ISFL. White still needs to fine-tune his pass-rush strategy and could stand to give more consistent effort from the start of the snap until the whistle. But his pass-rush production and athletic traits point toward an all-pro career.
The No. 1 skill for a pass-rusher is his get-off, as the goal is to break the relationship between a bookend and a quarterback. White's burst off the line of scrimmage ranks as either the best or second-best in the class. The second-most important trait is a player's ability to bend the edge, limiting his surface area, not wasting movement and ripping to put a bookend behind him once he's in a winning position with his legs. White, since the moment he stepped on the field for Texas A&M, has been able to execute in this area of his game at a high level.
There is no doubt that White is freakish athletic. He has ridiculous speed and a developed body with natural strength. The junior has a tremendous first-step out of his stance. After his get-off, he quickly accelerates to turn the corner. He has the ability to sink his hips and bend around the tackles to get pointed to the quarterback. White has good balance and natural strength to fight off blockers. There are times where he also flashed speed to power and pushed offensive tackles into the pocket after getting upfield.
Aside from his blinding speed and strength, White has instincts to go for forced fumbles and batted passes. He isn't just a great athlete; he's a football player who happens to be a great athlete. White can redirect extremely well with superb pursuit skills. He has active hands to fight off blockers, and a motor that doesn't underwhelm.
White isn't a finished product, so there are things he can improve on. There were plays in the run game that saw him get pushed backward, although his run defense was improved as a junior. If White stays in a 4-3 defense, he could use more strength for holding his gap against downhill runs. He also could get in trouble in this regard by standing up too high. While White is a powerful edge rusher, he should continue to work on pass-rushing moves for use against DSFL offensive tackles.
Strengths
- Uber-athlete with spring-loaded hips and elite explosiveness
- Powerful legs allow him to fight through redirect blocks and corner the edge at a sharp angle
- Dominant pass-rush ability and production in college
- Remarkable burst off the snap
- His first three steps can throw an offense into disarray
- Plays the game through a physical filter.
- Already possesses the disposition of a pro defensive lineman.
- Hands and hips are explosive into the target.
- Creates lift and extension through contact.
- Uses punch/release technique to open the B-gap.
- Likes to test a tackle's anchor with a long-arm bull charge.
- Works from one counter move to the next seamlessly.
- Charges, coils, and springs up into tackles to help facilitate a quality bull rush
- Leg drive bounces tackle into the pocket.
- Surprising ankle flexion for quick bend and redirect of the rush edge.
- Works back inside when his rush hits quarterback depth.
- Plays with persistence and energy throughout the game.
Weaknesses:
- Not as consistent against the run as preferred.
- Movements tend to have power but can lack fluidity in his hips.
- Struggled to prevent being widened by SEC tackles.
- Running backs are able to dart through his gaps.
- Sticky feet when pursuit changes direction.
- Average lateral twitch to slide and tackle.
- Longer tackles will slow his rush.
- Hulk-smash rush approach could use a little more variance.
- Relies heavily on tremendous athleticism and explosion
- Still learning how to string moves together and work with a pass-rush plan
- Gets too cozy with blockers and will ride block for too long
- Needs more urgency in disengagement
- Sometimes has the tendency to play a little too high
Pro Comparisons: JJ Watt, Nick Bosa, Cameron Jordan, George Karlaftis
Best Team Fits
Dallas Birddogs:
The Dallas Birddogs currently do not have any Defensive Ends, or defensive lineman for that matter, on their roster. White could come in and almost immediately become an impact player for his hometown team.
Kansas City Coyotes:
With only two Defensive Ends who could be moving up into the ISFL on their roster, the Kansas City Coyotes might be looking to shore up some impending defensive line issues with White being able to come in as a high level addition to the team.
Norfolk Seawolves:
With Iosefa Fuamatu-Ma’afala possibly going early in the ISFL draft, White could be a nice, high-level replacement even if he has big shoes to fill. White could help the Seawolves out very, very quickly.