Jahiem White had a breakout freshman season last year, but WVU’s coaching staff thinks he can take that next step and become even better.
Last season, Jahiem White burst onto the scene for West Virginia. White came on during the back-half of the season, using his size, strength, and speed to his advantage. Now, White is not going to be a secret to any opposing defense, but West Virginia is hoping White can take that next step in becoming a running back that can be used on every down.
“To become an every down back,” West Virginia offensive coordinator and running backs coach Chad Scott said of his goals for White this spring.
White last season was seen as one of the best freshman in the country. He rushed for 842 yards, while he had 125 yards receiving and a total of six touchdowns.
“He can be special on third down but he’s got o be a third down back. So what does he need to work on this spring in particularly is pass pro recognition. Not necessarily the pick up part, he’s pretty strong, really savvy in his ability to mix up picking it up and cut blocking,” Scott said. “He’s got to become very comfortable picking it up and recognizing just if he does carrying the football. If he can become a three-down back where his confidence and recognizing different looks, and different ways they’re going to try to trick him on pass pro, he’s going to be on a whole other level. He’s special.”
White’s talent on the field is easy to see, but Scott said it’s the work off the field that will determine if he can take that next step and become even better during his sophomore campaign.
“With the kind of talent he has, continues film study, when he’s not in the game at practice the mental reps, the mental focus, when last year he might not have been as in tuned if he wasn’t in the game paying attention,” Scott said. “He’s got to take that next step when eh’s not in the game putting himself in the shoes of the back that’s in the game in practice and see the pros just as if he was in the game.”
