2018 DB Kenny White is a prospect to watch

The class of 2018 is still emerging across the country and that’s no different in Pennsylvania. Junior prospects across the Keystone State are beginning to attract serious interest from college coaches, including players like 2018 Imperial (Pa.) West Allegheny defensive back Kenny White. White has yet to receive his first scholarship offer, but the 6-foot, 185-pound corner has been attracting attention from plenty of Division I programs, including the hometown Pitt Panthers.

“I've been getting letters from Pitt and Connecticut and I'm going up to UConn for a game this weekend (Saturday, October 22nd). I went to the Pitt-Georgia Tech game at Heinz Field and it was hype,” White said.

Pitt’s contact is still in its early stages with White, but getting the invitation to be a game day visitor at Pitt shows that the West Allegheny standout is firmly on the team’s radar. White enjoyed the opportunity to see what Pitt has to offer in terms of a game day experience and it’s clear that receiving a scholarship from Pitt would be an important step for him.

“I went to the game and I got to watch them warm up and went into the locker room with the team. I thought the game was good,” White said. “From the first play to the last play, it was a good game. Pitt played a heck of a game too. Their defense was making a lot of plays that other teams’ defenses couldn't make. I just want to get the chance to play in my home town [for Pitt].”

White has been in contact with Pitt during his junior season to set up the visit and to establish that relationship and rapport with the coaches at campus. Although White will be a defensive back in college in all likelihood, Pitt’s linebackers coach Rob Harley has been recruiting him. Harley is the area recruiter for the city of Pittsburgh and the WPIAL for Pitt.

“I talk to coach Harley when I get a chance to and our relationship is going good,” White said. “He's a great guy and a great coach.”

Pitt has taken noticed of White due to his abilities in coverage and some of the highlight reel plays he’s made during his sophomore and junior seasons for West Allegheny, including the one embedded below. The nickname “Kenny Island” belongs to White and that’s not an accident. He credits his training, his coaching, and the work he’s put in on and off the field.

“Well for me I'm doing well this year. I’m just doing what I need to do on the field and off the field and just scoring and making big plays. My team is doing great. We’re playing as a team and making a lot of plays,” White explained. “I feel great about the way I'm playing but there are still things I need to work on to make it to that next level. From my freshman year, I've grown stronger and faster thanks to Dwayne Brown and 2/10ths. They took my game to another level.”

Look for White to continue to gain exposure as the season rolls on. Although 2018 Pennsylvanians Kwantel Raines and Marcus Hooker have headlined the WPIAL’s list of top defensive backs in the junior class to date (and for good reason, both are excellent prospects), White has the potential to be a Power Five conference recruit. Pitt and other programs will continue to evaluate his game.