Offseason Update Interview with 3-Star 2019 Nevada WR/CB Cervontes White
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Cervontes White is one of those kind of guys that frustrate the you know what out of the opposition. After coming up through the ranks as a corner, White took to the field during his junior year primarily playing receiver for Liberty High School (Henderson), and the results were pretty remarkable.
Liberty High School is seemingly always loaded with top talent. For White (5-11, 175) to stand out among the crowded roster is saying something. As the Patriots were putting together an 11-2 season with an end of year No. 2 ranking in Nevada (MaxPreps), White was schooling opposing defenses with 34 receptions for 653 yards and seven touchdowns scored. His 19.2 yards per reception average helped draw scholarship offers from Utah, Dixie State, and BYU with programs such as San Diego State, UNLV, Nevada, Colorado, and Boise State showing interest.
Liberty, once again, has a tough schedule ahead with the Patriots ready to prove they are among the best squads in the nation. White will pull double-duty during his senior year returning to corner while using his deceptive footspeed to continue to break opposing defenses; the extra time on the field should pull in even more recruiting interest and offers against the top competition.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the three-star recruit for a quick interview covering his play during the 2017 season, his offseason workouts, and his recruiting process to date.
Interview
Cervontes, you are one of those players that has deceptive footspeed that drives defenders wild. You have a gear where it looks like you are running full-speed and then you kick it up a notch. The question, how fast are you?
“My last 40 at a camp was a 4.47.”
Which camp did you post that 40-yard dash?
“At UNLV.”
Impressive.
“Thank you.”
Is there a play from last year that best shows off all your abilities as a receiver?
“I would say my catch vs. Alta (Sandy, UT). It was a seam route – I snatched the ball off a dude’s head.”
It doesn’t look like you have any problems now getting off the line, but earlier in your high school career what drills did you do to work on beating press coverage?
“I did a lot of hand fighting and we do a step-back move when they lunge.”
From the end of your sophomore year to the end of your junior season, how did your overall game improve as a receiver?
“My coach, Coach White, is the best receiver coach in Nevada. With him helping me out, he was helping me adjust in traffic and improving my ability to catch the ball when I was getting hit. My sophomore year, I was not used to getting hit from freshman ball. Improving that took my game to another level. I started being more aggressive and making harder catches.”
Where all will we see you on the field in 2018?
“On offense, at receiver, and on defense, at corner. I will also be on kick and punt return.”
Are you excited to be back corner?
“Oh yeah, I am. Out of all our receivers, I feel I play with an extra aggression. You have to be more finesse as a receiver. Playing corner, I can be more physical with guys.”
What have you been working on this offseason with your game?
“I have been working on my footwork, speed and quickness, my body control, and working on my hips at corner. I have been doing a lot of hand fighting. I am staying in shape this summer. I am making sure I can run all day.”
How has your time at slot help you as a corner?
“It helps me a lot. I don’t think that there is too much a receiver can do that I will not understand. The way they line up, I know how to adjust to the situation. I know what the receivers are trying to do.”
Where are you seeing the gains in your abilities this spring and summer?
“I am seeing my explosion out of my breaks get better. I am keeping my body under control on my cuts. At corner, I know how to mirror receivers – I am good with my feet. For most guys, it is hard to cover a slot receiver, that is not a problem for me.”
Which schools are showing interest in you but have not offered yet?
“San Diego State, UNLV, Reno (Nevada), Colorado, and Boise State are showing interest.”
Which schools have offered you?
“Utah, Dixie State and BYU.”
Which schools have you visited in 2018 so far?
“BYU, Utah State, UNLV, Reno, San Diego State, and I am now traveling to Boise State.”
How did the Utah visit go?
“Utah was great. I like the atmosphere there. It is quiet and peaceful. Utah has the best staff. I like their coaches, they kept it real with me. They did not try to sell me a dream; I liked that. I really like it there. I see big things coming from Utah in the future.”
How did Utah offer you?
“I worked out with their DB coach, Coach (Morgan) Scalley (also DC). I did not know their head coach, Coach (Kyle) Whittingham was watching the whole time up in press box. I had a great conversation with them afterwards. That is when they said we are offering you.”
Congratulations.
“Thank you.”
What was going through your mind when they offered you?
“I was really excited. I really like that school. There are not too many schools giving me that same feeling. I was excited. That was a great experience to know they believe in me. It feels good knowing they are going to take a chance on me.”
Do you have any other camps planned?
“I am going to Boise State this weekend for a full-padded camp (June 16) and I am going to Weber State on the 21st. I just want to get back to work and keep grinding.”
Is there a game on the 2018 schedule you are already getting hyped to play?
“IMG Academy. I say that because most people do not believe in us. They think we will get dog walked. A couple of years ago when we played the No. 1 team in Texas, we shocked the world. Player for player and coach for coach, we will ball out and come out on top against IMG. No one will be able to stop me.”
What goals have you set for your senior year?
“To be a better leader. Being a senior, you need to lead and help keep the team together through the good and bad times. I want to help keep our composure in big games. I want to go out with a big bang for our last year.”
Cervontes, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your offseason workouts.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Nevada Preps; No. 6 Cervontes White scores a touchdown
Photo credit: Las Vegas Review-Journal; No. 6 Cervontes White in the open-field