The Patriots selected White in the second round of the 2023 Draft.
New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo was asked this spring if any player has impressed him through the early stages of the offseason. He singled out just one player: defensive lineman Keion White.
Entering his second NFL season, White feels like his game can reach another level — particularly due to the mental side of things.
“Slowing down, being able to anticipate. I know what I have,” White said Thursday after training camp.
“Last year I was more so worried about doing my job and not messing up… Now I have a grasp of the defense — I already know what my job is, I’m confident in it. Now, I can focus on winning and beating my opponent.”
Keion White on his mental growth entering year two:
“Last year, I was more so worried about doing my job and not messing up… Now I have a grasp of the defense – I already know what my job is, I’m confident in it. Now, I can focus on winning and beating my opponent.” pic.twitter.com/LGjT5GEhHw
— Brian Hines (@iambrianhines) July 25, 2024
While Mayo praised the soft-spoken White for his growth as a leader off the field, his role on the field is expected to grow for the Patriots defense after playing just 49 percent of the defensive snaps last season. Through the early stages of the summer White has been an active part of New England’s front moving up and down the defensive line.
“[Skills development coach] Joe Kim says ‘the more you can do the longer they got to keep you,’” White explained. “I’m just trying to play as much as possible, as many positions as possible, so I can just be here as long as I can.”
White’s emergence up front would be a welcomed sight for New England’s defense. The unit ranked ninth in DVOA last season despite the losses of Christian Gonzalez and Matthew Judon to injury. As they return, young players, such as White, taking a jump could lead to even more successful unit in 2024.
Despite the heavy workload for White this summer perhaps signaling exactly that, the 2023 second-round pick still knows he has to earn his opportunities.
“Personally I feel like I’m still trying to earn my spot and earn my stripes,” he explained. “I’m only going into year two. I may be older, coming into year two but I’m still only going into year two. I still feel like I need to prove myself to not only my teammates but the league.”
His spot on game day is not the only thing White seeks out, as he hopes his play will eventually earn himself the “green light” as a pass rusher as well.
“The biggest thing for a D-lineman is to be able to get the green light to mess up,” White said. “Trying to just earn my stripes and earn that green light to be a little more free in the rush and be more of a focus in the rush. But, that comes to earning the trust of your coaches and your teammates for them to know that you know what you’re doing.”