Michigan State University Athletics
Blair White Q & A: NFL Scouting Combine
3/4/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 4, 2010
• Blair
• NFL Combine - Top Performers
Blair White has had to battle perception his entire career. It was no different at the NFL Scouting Combine held last week in Indianapolis.
But there's one simple way to battle perception: performance. And once again, White showed at the combine why he's one of the top wide receiver prospects in this year's draft.
After elevating himself from walk-on to team captain and All-Big Ten performer during his career at Michigan State, he was back at square one in front of more than 600 NFL personnel, including head coaches, general managers, scouts and medical staff, at Lucas Oil Stadium.
In perhaps the nation's most high-profile job interview - which was not only attended by all 32 NFL teams but also hundreds of media members in addition to being televised on the NFL Network - White proved he belonged and was ready for the next level.
Among the 44 wide receivers invited to the combine, White ranked in the top six in four of seven testing categories. He led all receivers in the 60-yard shuttle with a time of 11.07 seconds, and was second in the 20-yard shuttle at 4.03 seconds. In the 3-cone drill, White finished third at 6.69 seconds. He also showed his strength by ranking sixth in the bench press with 18 reps at 225 pounds.
Prior to the combine, White showcased his skills on the field with a game-high seven catches for 93 yards in the East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 23 in Orlando, including a 12-yard grab on the game-winning drive.
White, who has been working out in Irvine, Calif., this winter, has returned to the West Coast to continue his preparation for Michigan State's Pro Day, which is scheduled for March 17. He recently met up with msuspartans.com to talk about his draft preparations, the East-West Shrine Game, and his performance at the NFL Combine.
How was your experience at the East-West Shrine Game?
It was a fun experience. When you get down there I wasn't really sure what to expect. It was pretty intense and a good chance to talk to some coaches and scouts and to really show what I have to offer as a receiver. On top of that, you get to meet a bunch of Big Ten players. So, it was a neat experience.
What was it like to play with some of the players that you have been facing your whole career, guys like Northwestern's Mike Kafka and Penn State's Daryll Clark? They were the ones throwing the ball to you in the game...
You don't know what to expect as far as who they are as people and players. It is interesting to play with those guys who you have competed against your whole career. You come to realize that they aren't that different from yourself and that they are just like the rest of us. It is nice to be able to get to know those guys.
What was the feedback you received after the East-West Shrine Game?
I had a little bit of feedback, but I don't know if they put a lot of emphasis on that game. They did say that I ran some decent routes. I think a lot of people saw me as a possession receiver, so I think I did some things to try and disprove some of that. I don't know if I was completely successful, but I think I did some things that coaches saw and put in the back of their heads.
What did you do to prepare for the NFL scouting combine?
It is a day-by-day process. You have to be ready for the interview process and be ready physically. From the weight room, working on the field to position drills, there is a whole spectrum of things to be worked on. There is a small window of time between the All-Star game and the combine so I was working hard every day to do the best I could at the combine.
What was the atmosphere like at the NFL Combine and how do you think you performed?
It can be very restrictive as to where you are supposed to be and even what you are supposed to wear. There is more to it than what you see on TV, there are physicals, interviews, meetings and all kinds of things I didn't know about before I went. Overall, I think it went well and as far as performing, I think I did okay. I had some decent shuttle times and I had a decent 40, but the 40's I ran in California were even lower, so I was a little disappointed in that. I think it went well overall and it was a good experience.
There's so much emphasis on the 40-yard dash time, but you got first in the 60-yard shuttle and second in the 20-yard shuttle. You even got sixth in the bench press, to show your strength as well as your speed.
I think to be successful at the next level you have to be well versed in all aspects of the game. There is more to it than just your time in the 40-yard dash. Even though your speed is important, it is good to be well-rounded.
How do you think you did in the interview aspect of the NFL Combine?
I thought I did well. They ask you all kinds of questions, even going as far as football plays and which is your favorite. Also, what you do when this coverage is thrown at you. But I was prepared for that and I thought I did a good job.
For someone who hasn't seen you play, what are the reasons an NFL team should draft you?
Well, I am not one of those guys that has blazing speed, but I can run a little bit. One of the things that sets me apart is my ability to catch the ball. That is something that I pride myself in and something I have control over. I am also a student of the game, including knowing what to do, not blowing assignments, and coverage. I think that is one area of the game that is under recognized. Those are the two areas I feel that I have an edge over the other guys.
How did your time at Michigan State prepare you for the NFL?
I have learned a ton from MSU. And what we are doing here isn't entirely different than what I did at Michigan State. We are working in the weight room everyday and running in order to get faster. So my whole college career was really preparing me for this year. Especially (Strength & Conditioning) Coach (Ken) Mannie, he did a great job preparing players.
Now that the combine is over, what are you doing to prepare for the NFL Draft?
I will probably run the 40-yard dash at Pro Day and try to catch some balls. But other than that, I am just going to take is easy. I'm still training out here, so hopefully I can get a good run at Pro Day. But after that I'm not going to be in that serious work out mode that I have been in. I'm just going to play it out until the draft and see what happens.
