With the Pittsburgh Steelers signing free agent safety Morgan Burnett, the safety position as a need becomes less of a priority. If the Steelers want a very good backup to replace Burnett before his contract is up, they could look to draft one with one of their first three picks. Today, we take a look at Kyzir White.
Kyzir White #8 | West Virginia
6’2″ 216lbs | Senior
2017 Stats: 94 tackles (66 solo), 7.5 TFL, 1 sack, 3 INT, 4 PD, 2 FF, 1 FR
Background: A JUCO transfer from Lackawanna College. Number one rated junior college safety according to ESPN. Younger brother of former wide receiver and first round pick Kevin White. Two year starter.Majored in multidisciplinary studies. One of seven children.
What’s to like: Excellent size for the safety position. Relentless effort in pursuit. Has experience in both free and strong safety. An effective blitzer. Aggressive and scrappy player who delivers hits and takes pride in getting the ball carrier to the ground. Takes on blocks well and is tough to block, doesn’t get washed out of the play. Lays some powerful hits. Takes precise angles to the football, very little wasted movement. Strong player who fights through contact and doesn’t let many tackles ‘slip’ away. A fierce competitor has passion and loves the game.
Concerns: Struggles in man coverage in press. Tightness in hips restrains him from turning and running quickly. Fast, not quick play speed. Limited in his change of direction. When blocked from the side, has trouble getting off the block. Slightly limited as an athlete. Lack of experience, only a two year starter. Has suffered a hand and head injury.
Verdict: Projected as a strong safety, but can play the center field role if asked to. A force to be reckoned with and will leave it all out on the field. A true competitor. Perfect for the Steelers’ system; will play the run like a linebacker and be tasked with shutting down tight ends like a safety. If you want a guy to fly around the field making tackles and tossing out hard hits, White is your guy. Decently high ceiling, not a low floor; at best, a productive starting safety, at worst, a special teams demon who can step in and taking meaningful snaps if needed. Would be an excellent addition to the secondary. Reminds me of a less-athletic Landon Collins.
Grade: 76 (Mid Round 2- Mid Round 3)
Games Watched: Texas 17′, Utah 17′, Missouri 16′
Photo Credit: TheSmokingMusket
Stats Credit: Sports-Reference
Bio Credit: WVU Athletics
5 comments
I have to disagree with this assessment of Kyzir White Chris i really do. I found a more complete scouting report of Kyzir White and he can play in press situations and match up well with the Athletic TE’s in today’s NFL. You will ask where did you find this report and my response is: I’m keeping that report “tight to the vest” so nobody but me will know what i found in that report.
Vic, I do not concern myself with other reports. But if you read the ‘verdict’ section, I did say “Perfect for the Steelers’ system; will play the run like a linebacker and be tasked with shutting down tight ends like a safety.”
My comment wasn’t to say that he wouldn’t fit the Steelers far from it. I said was that i found a more complete scouting report that says he can do well in man coverage. That was the only thing i disagreed with you on Kyzir White. Now i would like you and anybody that want’s to comment on my recent mock draft i did via walk the mock.com:
Rd 1-28:Rashawn Evans-ILB(LVE was still on the board but i choose BPA)
Rd 2-28:Da’Shawn Hand-DE(Guys like Kirk and Settle were still there and all the good Safeties were gone so i went again with BPA)
Rd 3-28:Dorance Armstrong-Edge(He will need a year of work but he will make an impact his rookie year and plus had i passed on him he would have been gone before my 5th Rd picks)
Rd 5-11:Issac Yiadom-CB(A press CB who can be stashed on the PS or better yet makes an impact his rookie year)
Rd 5-28:Jaleel Scott-WR(Bryant’s replacement and to be honest was the only good legit option left worth taking in the 5th Rd)
Rd 7-2:Dalton Schultz-TE(A blocking type TE who ends up as the No.3 TE and may end as the No.2 by his 2nd year)
Rd 7-28:Joshua Frazier-NT(I figured taking this guy would be worth it and if it doesn’t work out it’s a 7th Rd pick so it wouldn’t really hurt the team at all)
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