Take a look for yourself: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/504429/#highlights/22424380
The interception and
subsequent return at about the :30 mark will certainly get your attention,
but the next play, while much more unassuming, told me much more about White's
ability. On that play, he diagnosed immediately and used elite closing speed to
make the tackle in space. That's the type of closing speed you don't see every
day and it's evident elsewhere in his highlights.
White's an athlete in
the truest sense. Usually when a player wears the athlete tag it's easy to
identify where they'll play in college, but not so with White. I can easily see
him on either side of the ball, either at flanker or corner.
The other day when
Chevoski Collins committed I said I like guys that can play either safety or
slot, but that it's more rare to find a player that can play out wide on both
offense and defense. That's because of the explosive ability that's required to
play either.
When I first wrote
about KD Cannon I lamented that he could play either side of the ball in
college, and that's who White reminds both me and StrangerInTheAlps of. Cannon
of course will play wide receiver in college out of preference, but he could be
a difference making corner with his long 6-0 frame.
White is not only
similar to 2014's Cannon in his explosive duality, but also when it comes to
build. He's 6-0 and 170 pounds soaking wet, but he's still a willing tackler on
defense and blocker on offense.
After seeing his
highlights last week, they stuck with me throughout the weekend. I couldn't for
the life of me understand why he didn't have a Rivals profile or offers. I must
be missing something, right? I felt too confident in my friend's
original opinion and my own on White so I got in touch with him to find
out why I've never heard of him. I guess being from Amarillo Palo Duro is one
reason, but that's a poor one.
Eric Nahlin: What's going on,
buddy? Someone sent me your highlights and I can't figure out why you don't
have 20 offers.
Charleston White: Ha, I don't know either.
EN: Do you have any yet?
CW: Yes sir, I have offers
from New Mexico and Nevada.
EN: Good, I feared you
have yet to receive one. Are any other schools close to offering?
CW: I don't know how close
they are to offering, but I'm hearing a lot from Texas Tech, Baylor, Colorado
State, and Arizona State.
EN: That's not bad, things
are starting to make sense now. Those are some good schools.
CW: Yeah, I'm not sure if
ASU offered or not. They said I have an offer on the table, but I was kind of
confused with the way they said it.
EN: They'd be wise to
clear that up. You'd be a good weapon in the Pac 12. What position are these
schools recruiting you to play?
CW: All of them like me at
receiver other than Tech. They want me at defensive back.
EN: TECH??? They want you
on defense?
CW: [laughing] Yep.
EN: That's not the Tech
we're used to hearing about.
CW: Nope, they said they
like my height at defense.
EN: Sure, there's a lot
more 6-0 receivers out there than corners.
CW: That's what they said.
EN: Do you have any visits
planned?
CW: Yes sir. I'll take
official visits to Nevada, Colorado State, and New Mexico. I'm not sure about
the other visits yet.
EN: I wouldn't be
surprised if more schools come calling. Last year Texas ended up with a player
that didn't even get his first offer until October.
CW: That would be cool if
more schools came calling. I appreciate you doing this.
EN: You're the one doing
all the work, not me. So I have to ask, how are your grades?
CW: My grades are real
good. I'm 65th in my class of 443 students.
EN: After talking to you I
didn't think there would be problems there. What are your stats so far for the
season?
CW: I'm not sure how many
catches I have, but I do have a 70 yard pick six.
EN: Yeah, I saw that. That
was very nice. What's your record?
CW: We're 4-1 (Palo Duro
is in district 3-4A).
EN: Did you have a
favorite school growing up?
CW: I always liked the
University of Oklahoma.
EN: Oh man, here I am
about to post this on a Texas board during Red River Rivalry week. Do you
not care that I'm going to get blasted by my readers?
CW: [laughing] Sorry man.
I went to the game last year. We sat right where the two fan bases are divided.
It was crazy.
EN: Yes it is. Not much
else like it in sports. Well I can't end on that. What else should I know about
you?
CW: I have a teammate with
some offers, Montrel Meander. He's 6-3 and runs a 4.40 40.
EN: Really? I'll take a
look at him for sure. What's your 40?
CW: My best is a 4.37.
EN: That'll work. Thanks
for your time. Let me know if you hear from more schools. I'd be surprised if
you didn't.
CW: No thank you, I really
appreciate it.
I took Charleston's
suggestion and took a look at Montrel Meander and again, I came away very impressed
and decided to get in touch with Palo Duro head coach Steve Parr. He relayed to
me that some of the reason that his star duo has been under the radar has to do
with Amarillo's isolation and White missing most of spring football when
college coaches came through.
Meanwhile, Meander had
the benefit of qualifying for the state track meet in the 200 meters. When
you're a 6-3 football player you're going to get noticed and many schools
have, with the bigger ones being Texas Tech, Colorado and Houston. With his
combination of size and speed, Meander makes an intriguing prospect and could
play anywhere from receiver to maybe even outside linebacker. Coach says it's
possible that he gets up to 220 pounds in college.
Here's Meander doing
the antonym: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/504430/#highlights/2634450
As far as visits go,
Meander's plans are only tentative, but my words of advice to the two would be
to take as much time as possible with the process. Colleges are sort of in a
holding pattern when it comes to recruiting as they try and "hold onto
their jobs" as Coach Parr put it.
Bigger schools will
come for both of these players. But how big is the question.
