Interview: Texas Speedster RB/CB Korbyn White Laying Track for Explosive Senior Season

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

All one needs to do is watch Korbyn White’s reel to see what the future holds for the rising Class of 2020 athlete. As a tailback, the 5-10, 176-pound, talent is a true scat-back with elite breakaway speed capable of scoring from anywhere on the field with a one-cut and gone mentality. On defense, he is just scratching the surface of his abilities with Texarkana’s Liberty-Eylau High School as a corner. It all adds up to a lot of college football programs interested to see his growth over the offseason on both sides of the ball.

With an offseason full of 7v7 ball with Arkansas Elite and an upcoming camp appearance at the U.S. Army All-American Combine in San Antonio, I sat down with one of the Lone Star State’s rising juniors to learn more about his elite speed and play-making talents.

Interview

Korbyn, your game speed is a great place to start our interview. We need to get a catch phrase for when you burn an entire defense for a long run. How fast are you?

(Laughs) “As fast as a mustang can go.”

I like that response. Do you run track, if so, which events?

“Yes, sir. I compete in the 100, 200, 4×1, and 4×2 (fourth leg on both relays).”

Of the individual events, which is your best?

“My best event is probably the 100.”

What is your PR in the 100?

“10.8.”

What are some of the other strengths of your game as a tailback?

“One of my strengths is catching the ball out of the backfield, another is blocking. I try to make initial contact first and get as many yards as I can.”

Which areas of your game improved the most throughout the 2018 season?

“My blocking and catching out of the backfield improved the most. I played some corner this year; I got way better on defense. I am a two-way player now.”

Is there an area of your game that may get overlooked because it does not show up in the box score or on a highlight reel?

“My field vision. People see certain holes, I see more. I can do something with the ball if I see a crease.”

It may be too early to know now, but where all might you play on the field during your senior year?

“I will play in all three phases of the game; at running back, a little bit at slot, corner, and in the return game.”

What will you focus on with your game this offseason?

“I am focusing on adding more weight and not losing speed. I am working on being more physical, and I am working more at corner to improve my game there. This was my first year playing corner, I am still learning the basics. I want to add to it. I am building my football IQ.”

With recruiting, which schools are showing interest in you?

“I am receiving interest from Oklahoma State, Louisiana Tech, Yale, Henderson State, Texas State, Texas Southern, Colorado State, Arizona, and Lamar.”

During the 2018 season, did you get a chance to visit any schools?

“Yes, sir. I took visits to Oklahoma State, Louisiana Tech, and Texas A&M Commerce.”

How did the Oklahoma State visit go?

“It went well. I got to see Barry Sanders, that was great. I got to eat in the player’s dining room. We toured the facility and went on the field to see their warmups. Being in that atmosphere was amazing. I can’t wait to be in that kind of atmosphere one day.”

What about Louisiana Tech, how did that go?

“That visit went well too. They showed us a film about Ruston. I like how everyone likes each other there. They showed us what they stand for as team – family is a big part of their program. They showed us the weight room, dining room, and we got to go onto the field. They have a great atmosphere there as well, same as Oklahoma State.”

Korbyn, it was great conducting the interview with you today. Good luck with the U.S. Army Combine and with 7v7 ball with Arkansas Elite this spring.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: White family; No. 22 Korbyn White