Minnesota: Interview with East Ridge Rising Class of 2016 Star LB Brison White

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The story of Minnesota Class of 2016 linebacker Brison White is not an unusual one but serves as a constant reminder that not all college football recruiters are able to think outside the box. White’s story is about a kid that can play, and plays his position really well but poses problems to college coaches unsure where to but the 5’10”, 210 pound, outside linebacker/safety at the next level.

Most sports have become regimented in a train of thought that includes a prototypical size and weight for a given position. For example, other than maybe Magic Johnson and Penny Hardaway, college basketball does not see many 6-foot 9-inch point guards handling the rock but are there other 6-foot 9-inch players like maybe a Kevin Durant who could excel at the spot? Yes.

In Major League Baseball, there are very few 6-foot 4-inch, 200 something pound, shortstops that have made it up through the ranks that have not be moved to a “safer” more “traditional” spot like third base, first base, or even the outfield due to a player’s height and weight. In football outside linebackers are expected to be at least 6-foot tall and at least 210 pounds to man the position. Anyone smaller than that magically fixed requirement is pushed back to safety if said player has the speed to cover the position.

White is what is commonly called a “tweener” in sports, and that is someone who falls in “between” an ideal physical requirement between two spots. The good thing for White is he has a background playing safety, he started at safety during his junior season for Cretin-Derham Hall (St. Paul). The mixed news for White is he is tearing it up for East Ridge High School at the outside linebacker position playing well above his height and weight dominating offensive linemen 60-70 pounds heavier play after play.

Stats can lie but the tape does not and White’s tap shows it all. For those in various recruiting circles, an ideal comparison is Arkansas Razorback true freshman Dre Greenlaw. Greenlaw is roughly the same size and played both safety and linebacker in high school for Fayetteville in Arkansas. Greenlaw was a late offer by the Razorbacks but is now a starting outside linebacker for the Hogs.

The Raptors are stocked with talent posting a 9-1 record this season winning their first round Minnesota High School Playoff game 45-20 over Coon Rapids High School over the weekend. College recruiters like Notre Dame, Minnesota, Michigan State, Michigan, Iowa State, Iowa, Northwestern, and Wisconsin are all showing interest in the St. Paul area talent but none have pulled the trigger on a scholarship offer yet. The end of the 2015 high school football season is drawing to a close in most states giving a very small window for recruiters to see top players in action to make that final scholarship offer decision.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Brison after the Raptors big first round playoff win to go over East Ridge’s season to date, his play on the field, and got a recruiting news update.

Interview

Brison, your senior season is going really well but in the offseason after switching from Cretin-Derham Hall to East Ridge you could not have known what position you may play for the Raptors. What did you work on in the offseason to prepare for the unknown that has been your senior year?

“I did not know I’d be a linebacker at East Ridge but I had an idea that I might. In the offseason I worked on reading the offensive linemen keys and their pass protection and run blocking schemes and tells. I worked on rushing off the edge, coming in downhill, and back pedaling. I got stronger too.

“I spent a lot of time in the weight room. You have to be strong when dealing with 300 pound offensive linemen, pulling guards, and stuff like that. I worked on making sure I had good man-to-man coverage skills. I wanted to make sure I could guard a running back, tight end, or receiver out of the outside linebacker spot. I worked with a speed trainer, C.J. Boram. He’s helped a lot of athletes get their 40-yard time down.”

Your junior year you played safety. How did your junior season go for you?

“It went pretty well. I started. My size played a factor, playing either safety or linebacker. It was another transition, I was playing running back my sophomore season.”

What were some of your strengths on the field as a safety?

“One of my strengths is my vision. I’ve always been good at reading a play and coming into the box to help with the run. I’m an assured tackler. I think I gave up one touchdown my junior season and that was coming from the corner spot. Knowing what I’m doing and where I need to be on the field is another strength as well.”

Did you earn any individual honors at the end of your junior season?

“No, the school only allowed honors for seniors.”

What are your strengths on the field as a linebacker?

“With me playing strong outside linebacker, my physical strength and reading my keys off the offensive line knowing where the play is going and what they are running are my biggest strengths. My vision and knowledge of the game are strengths as well.”

What about your physical strengths? What is your bench and squat max?

“My bench max is 320 and my squat max is around 405.”

What is the best 40-yard dash time you’ve posted?

“4.53.”

How has the transition from Derham Hall to East Ridge gone for you?

“Being taken out of something that you have been used to is always difficult. I love East Ridge a lot. I love the people and the coaches here. I love the motive and what they stand for here as well. That has always been something I have looked up to about the school and coaches. We had to move out of our previous home and this was the next school in line.”

How is the season going for the 9-1 Raptors?

“It’s going pretty good. Won our first playoff game. We’re doing pretty good. We have tough completion in our next game against Prior Lake (6-3). Prior Lake has Jamahl Johnson, he’s committed to ISU. He’s a good nose tackle. Should be a fun game.”

What are the strengths of the Raptors’ team this year?

“Our defense is a strength. I believe the strength of our defense is our four linebackers, we run a 3-4. I think we are great. Our linebacker unit is the fastest in the state and the most disciplined. We know our assignments. Our offense, we are a running team. We have a powerhouse out of the backfield. Our fullback Connor Mohs and our running back Dominik London are not something you would not want to get in front of – at all.”

Which schools are showing interest in you right now?

“Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Minnesota, Michigan State, Michigan, Iowa State, Iowa, Northwestern UNI (Northern Iowa), and Mizzou (Missouri) are all showing interest.”

Do you have any offers?

“I have some Division-II offers. I have one from Walsh University in Canton, Ohio, and one from Bemidji State. I’m pretty sure a big D-I is close to offering.”

What position are you being recruited to play at the next level?

“Notre Dame was recruiting me to play running back after my sophomore year. All other teams are recruiting me at linebacker.”

This maybe slightly redundant but when you talk to college coaches what are they telling you they like about your game?

“Coaches tell me they like the way I take on blocks. They also tell me my vision on the field is hard to find a linebacker. They like that I get my nose in on every tackle. They like my speed coming off the edge and my ability to stay with a wide receiver and guard them as well as I do.”

Did you attend any one-day college camps over the summer?

“Yes, I went to Minnesota, Illinois, Northern Illinois, Cincinnati, Iowa, Northwestern, ISU (Iowa State), NESU (Northeast State), and UNI (Northern Iowa).”

From a performance standpoint, what was your best camp?

“I believe the Cincinnati camp was my best. I felt that I really showcased myself as a defensive back there. I covered receivers well during that camp. We were not fully padded so the coaches could see what I can do without being physical and see me just as a cover guy.”

What are the main factors you will consider in choosing a college?

The depth chart, ability to play early, and the best decision for my education. Football is not my only goal, education is really important to me. Distance from family or how close the school is to family or people that I know is important too.”

Do you know what you want to major in while in college?

“Not exactly thinking about that yet.”

Have you had an experience in your life that has inspired you on the field?

“My grandmother (Fonzella White) passed away two years ago. She was a church going lady, my grandfather was the pastor (Jessie Carter) of the church. She was always the kind of person that did not like sports but wanted you to do well in whatever it is your doing. She would love what I’m doing. She’s my motivation when I go out there.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“I guess my favorite part of playing football is doing something that I love. It keeps me out of trouble too. I see people around my neighborhood not doing something positive with their life but something negative. I’m doing something positive with my life.”

Brison, thanks for your time and good luck in the playoffs.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: twincities.com; No. 21 Brison White goes for the sack.

Photo credit: startribune.com; No. 21 Brison White forces a fumble.

Photo credit: studentsports.com; Brison White at a Rivals camp.