Georgia Tech defensive end Keion White, a potential first-round NFL draft pick, sustained a hamstring injury running his second 40-yard dash and pulled out of the drills at Tech’s Pro Day on Thursday.
“Being that I only ran the 40,” White said. “I think I did OK. Kind of bummed out that I didn’t get to finish through that second one. I felt like that one could have even been faster than the first. I still feel like I ran well enough.”
After finishing his second 40-yard dash, White grabbed the back of his right leg in the hamstring area.
White did all of the position drills at the NFL scouting combine, so it was not a major problem with the scouts Thursday. He’s projected to go late in the first round of the draft and almost certainly won’t make it out of the second round.
“I’m scheduling my ‘top-30 visits’ (with teams) now,” White said. “I’m having my agent work on that now. I’m just going to see what they want me to do. I did do the drills at the combine and everything like that. Sometimes they don’t really care about that, and other teams will. I’ll just go with the flow and do what they want me to do.”
White said he’s looking forward to meeting with teams and talking about himself.
“Compatibility is a big thing in the NFL,” said White, 6-foot-5 and 286 pounds. “You might be good at one team, but you could be trash at another, just based on how compatible and how well you fit in that program.”
White has been invited to the Falcons’ Locals Day.
“For sure, I definitely plan on going out there for the Locals Day and just make the most of that situation,” White said.
White is not letting the first-round draft speculation get him disoriented.
“Wherever I get drafted, I’m not going to be one of those guys who gets disappointed because I didn’t get drafted where everybody else thought I was going to get drafted,” White said. “I’m more so appreciative that I even have the opportunity to play at that level. Just take it wherever it takes me.”
White played at Old Dominion (2017-20) before transferring to Tech (2021-22).
“He has a unique blend of speed and power for a man that size,” Tech coach Brent Key said.
Teams have enough information about White.
“You turn on the tape and you see what he did as the season went on when a lot of people were hurt and banged up,” Key said. “He really elevated his game at that point in time.”
Transparent approach: Key didn’t plan to sugarcoat his comments to NFL scouts about the former Tech players.
“We want to make sure that we are transparent when we talk about our players because there is a trust that is built over time,” Key said. “The majority of these guys that are out here, whether they are scouts or coaches, we’ve been around (the players) for a long time. They know who they can trust and not trust. So, we want to build that with them.
“We want to be upfront and honest with these guys.”
Key is not big on making NFL projections for his former players.
“I know what they did for us,” Key said. “I know how they helped us. I don’t know their size, ability and traits and how they factor into what they are looking for in the NFL. It’s truly up to the individual team and where they see those guys. That’s where the NFL is so different. Everything is slotted by round.”
Key noted that it takes more than physical attributes to make a team and get to a second contract in the NFL.
“You (must) have an elite level of mental and physical toughness to sustain it,” Key said. “They go into camp with 90 players on a team. They cut the final roster down to 53. To be able to sustain throughout the offseason, training camp. ...
“Everyone is going to slot you according to height, weight, speed and ability. There are lot of guys that have had that and are one-and-done, quick-and-out in the NFL because they didn’t have the mental characteristics that you (must) have.”
E.J. Jenkins ran well: Former wide receiver E.J. Jenkins ran the 40-yard dash in an unofficial 4.56 seconds. He measured at 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds.
Some teams think he’s an NFL tight end.
“I knew I was having a good day,” Jenkins said. “I’ve been invited to a couple of workouts. Heading over to Baltimore, the Falcons, and I’ll probably get a couple more invites, especially after today.”
Jenkins, who grew up in Fredericksburg, Virginia, said he was a Falcons fan.
“Just sitting here and getting an opportunity to go inside their (building) and just have a Pro Day and meet the staff and everything has really been a childhood dream of mine, to be honest,” Jenkins said. “So, just to have that opportunity to fulfill that childhood dream, I can’t wait for it.”
Ayinde Eley wanted to compete: Linebacker Ayinde Eley, who recorded 118 tackles last season and was named second-team All-ACC, was not invited to the scouting combine.
“Those guys that were invited to the combine, I can compete just like those guys,” Eley said. “I just wanted my chance to compete.”
He believes he can fit into a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme in the NFL and is willing to play on special teams.
“I’m comfortable playing all special teams,” Eley said.
Charlie Thomas up to 219 pounds: Linebacker Charlie Thomas played in the East-West Shrine Bowl and participated in the NFL combine.
“It’s nearing the end, but when I feel like my name gets called in April, that’s just the beginning of a long road and a long career that I plan to have,” Thomas said. “It’s exciting. Staying in shape and strong. Just getting ready for the beginning, for real.”
He has a workout scheduled with the Saints and plans to accept his invitation to the Falcons’ Locals Day.
Credit: Miguel Martinez
Credit: Miguel Martinez
