2023 NFL Draft: Georgia Tech Pass-Rusher Keion White Set to Visit Jaguars
If you are noticing a theme, you aren't alone.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are all over this year's pass-rusher class, bringing in yet another player in for a top-30 visit in Georgia Tech's Keion White, according to The Draft Network's Justin Melo.
White's visit comes on the heels of the Jaguars hosting other pass-rushers on visits, a list that includes Georgia's Nolan Smith, Louisville's Yaya Diaby, Tennessee's Byron Young, and Auburn's Colby Wooden. In addition, the Jaguars have also sent representatives to pro days for Iowa State's Will McDonald, LSU's B.J. Ojulari, and Kansas State's Felix Anudike-Uzomah.
A North Carolina native, White spent time as a two-way player in high school and starred at both defensive end and tight end. He eventually committed to Old Dominion as a member of the 2017 class, where he was ranked by 247Sports as a three-star recruit who was the No. 86 player in North Carolina and the No. 141 tight end.
White redshirted his first year on campus before spending the 2018 season as a tight end. White then moved to the defensive side in 2019, where he recorded 3.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, one interception, and 62 tackles on his way to being named second-team all-Conference USA.
After the COVID-19 pandemic caused Old Dominion to sit out the 2020 season, White then transferred to Georgia Tech, where he made his debut in 2021 after missing eight games due to an ankle injury. White returned to Georgia Tech as a senior, starting all 12 games and recording 54 tackles and leading the team in tackles for loss (14) and sacks (7.5).
Jacksonville had one of the highest pressure rates of any defense in 2022 but also registered just 35 sacks, good for the 26th most in the NFL. After losing pass-rusher Arden Key in free agency, it is clear that evaluating this year's pass-rusher class is critical for the Jaguars.
“I think we’ve got to improve our pass rush. I think that’s vital, particularly on third down,” Jaguars head coach Pederson said last week at the NFL's annual owners meetings.
"I thought we were good with the run, we just gotta continue to get better with the run and shore up some things there. I think the passing game is the area we have to look at and address in the offseason, and clean that part of it up."
