It took until the second half of the season, but running back Jahiem White burst onto the scene as a true freshman last season.
He only saw 34 offensive snaps in the first four games of the season, with most of them coming against FCS opponent Duquesne. From there, he saw at least 18 snaps in all but one game down the stretch of the season.
White changed the way he practiced, and it led the York, Pennsylvania native to see more action and showcase what he was capable of becoming for the Mountaineers.
He led the team in rushing yards with 842 and garnered all sorts of Freshman All-American honors as well as Pro Football Focus hype.
Earlier this spring, offensive coordinator Chad Scott said that he hopes that the next step for White is for him to become an every-down back.
“To become an every down back,” Scott said. “He can be special on third down but he’s got to 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. 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.”
Opposing teams now have more film on White than they would have before his breakout. White now needs to focus on not hitting a wall this upcoming season.
“I’m aware of it and it’s just more playing time and getting comfortable learning more of the little things that Coach Scott teaches us and what we know and what we see on the defense,” White said.
White hopes to be able to find the end zone more often this upcoming season. He doesn’t feel that the offensive line has regressed and likes the offensive weapons around him.
“I feel like we’re much better, not saying like Zach [Frazier], but yea, I feel like the young o-linemen, they really improving on playing. I’m comfortable with them with the whole line. I feel comfortable running behind them.”
“We can do a lot. Our whole offense, receiver core, they’re like very talented.”
West Virginia is wrapping up spring practice this week and the spring game is set for Saturday at noon at Milan Puskar Stadium.
