Is Devin White A Star Linebacker? History Seems To Think So
June 23rd, 2021
Stats tell a story.
Prior to the playoffs, Bucs middle linebacker Devin White was a good linebacker, not a star.
That changed in the postseason.
When White returned from sitting out two weeks after testing positive for The Sickness, he played like a wildman possessed. Joe isn’t even sure if the great Derrick Brooks had back-to-back-to-back games where he took over and dominated like White did in the playoffs.
Well, Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports seems to think White’s numbers prior to the playoffs put White in elite NFL company.
Per Kerr, only three other players since 1982 have done what White did in his first two regular seasons. One is in the Hall of Fame. A second is thought to be one of the best linebackers now in the game.
Only four players have 200+ tackles and 10+ sacks in their first two seasons (since sacks became an official stat in 1982):
Brian Urlacher
Darius Leonard
Duane Bickett
Devin White #Buccaneers #Colts pic.twitter.com/ZjwxaR6pea— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) June 22, 2021
Joe is dead serious about the following. Joe has already documented how White had a better postseason in his first trip to the playoffs than Ray Lewis had in his first. If White can continue the insane play he demonstrated last winter, the Bucs have the next Ray Lewis on their hands.
White certainly has the passion of Lewis.
June 23rd, 2021 at 12:44 am
…boom
June 23rd, 2021 at 12:50 am
No. We will have the first Devin White.
June 23rd, 2021 at 1:27 am
HE GONNA BE EXPENSIVE SOON LOL
June 23rd, 2021 at 1:42 am
He’s the prototype. Enough said
June 23rd, 2021 at 2:45 am
Yeah what those stats don’t show you is he racked up so many tackles because he always let’s the receivers and tight end catch the ba first 🤣
In all seriousness he is a beast a d was on my fantasy team.. he just needs to work on his coverage skills if he wants to be elite. David is the rock back there and Devin is better pinning his ears back and getting after the qb
June 23rd, 2021 at 4:21 am
Josh Allen, who?
June 23rd, 2021 at 4:51 am
White’s playoff/Super Bowl run was better than Brooks’. The difference between the two now is longevity and career stats, as players.
June 23rd, 2021 at 7:18 am
Devin White is truly a savior……a grisly savior.
June 23rd, 2021 at 9:36 am
Our fans are lucky. We love all of these guys.
June 23rd, 2021 at 10:35 am
Devin White has truly fit into His 1st Round Draft Pick Status, and then added to the awesome 200+ Tackles + the 10+ Sacks in just 2 seasons, is Whites Forced fumbles, Fumble Recoveries and Interceptions…
June 23rd, 2021 at 11:51 am
This kid is going to keep getting better. Think about THAT!
June 23rd, 2021 at 1:56 pm
I think Devin White should be in the equestrian competitions in the Olympics to really show all his amazing talents.
June 23rd, 2021 at 3:28 pm
Let’s give it 10 years before we put his name in the same sentence as Derrick Brooks.
June 23rd, 2021 at 6:50 pm
Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t he relatively new to the position and 23 years old. #5 overall wasn’t too early to pick him, glad we did. Go Bucs
June 23rd, 2021 at 7:07 pm
Nine sacks for an inside linebacker is nuts. Once Devin becomes consistently good in pass coverage, dudes like Fred Warner and Roquan Smith won’t be mentioned in the same sentence.
June 23rd, 2021 at 7:52 pm
Ray Lewis potential. When Lewis played on the road, ticket sales went up. He’s good enough for a nickname, thus my moniker.
June 24th, 2021 at 11:12 am
Duane Bickett.. Haven’t heard his name in years.