Rookie free agent profile: Teryl White, DT, North Carolina Central

Teryl White 6'5" 287

DT, North Carolina Central

Rankings: 57th-ranked defensive tackle by Pro Football Weekly. Free agent grade. Could make an NFL training camp but would likely need time in a developmental league.

NFLDraftScout: Ranked 53rd at defensive tackle, 737th overall. Free agent grade.

Biography/honors:
2010: Started all 10 games. 39 tackles, 8.5 for loss, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a blocked kick.
2009: Started all 10 games. 59 tackles, 11 for loss, 2 sacks, 4 quarterback hurries, 2 pass breakups.
2008: Started all 11 games. 55 tackles, 11 for loss, 3 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
2007: 5 tackles in 8 games.

Two-time NCCU Male Student Athlete of the Year.

Named to 2009 NCAA Division I-AA Academic All-Star Team.

Major: marketing major with a minor in Spanish. 3.5 GPA.

Injuries: None reported.

Pro Day Stats: (not invited to NFL Combine)

(Yes, North Carolina Central had a Pro Day)
5.03 40
1.75 10-yard split

4.99 short shuttle

7.76 3-cone drill

25” vertical jump

8’07” broad jump

24 bench presses

These times were as reported by NFLDraftScout. NFL Draft Bible reports his 40 as 4.92-4.96, his vertical as 29.5, his broad jump as 9’0”, and his bench reps at 23. They also mention that poor weather forced White to run drills indoors on a slippery gym floor.

White’s reported measurements are also all over the place. He’s been listed as 6’4” or 6’5” with weights ranging from 287 to 304 lbs. 6’5” 287 is what the Rams website lists.

Positives: Has unique combination of size and quickness. 10-yard split as good as Corey Liuget's or Nick Fairley's. Prototypical size for a Tampa-2 scheme defensive tackle. Rams think he's the ideal size for a 4-3 DT. Above average range. Can line up anywhere on the line. Intelligent. Caused problems for offenses at his level of play. Drew interest from several NFL teams.

Negatives: Drop in productivity his senior year. Needs to play more consistently from down to down. NFL Combine jumping marks indicate average at best explosiveness. Three-cone drill time was abysmal, which could mean he has poor agility, poor body control, poor flexibility, poor change of direction, or poor balance. Or that he ran the drill on a slick floor. If he's 287, he could probably stand to add 10 pounds, and he needs to get stronger either way. Plays at a level of competition where there's barely any freaking scouting information available.

Compares to: Jermelle Cudjo. Size, background, you name it.

Fun Facts: White threw shot put and discus in high school. He was taking a statistics exam when his agent texted to tell him the Rams wanted to sign him. His favorite athlete is (boo) LeBron James. His favorite food is Japanese food and he cuts his toenails before every game.

RamView: Teryl White's a Ram primarily because of his measurables. They saw him at an all-star game for historically black colleges and universities and liked his quickness and size (whatever that may be). He's very intelligent as well, which will only help. White's measurables got his foot in the door, but he's going to have to make a big, quick impression to get it kicked open far enough to be in the organization past Labor Day. He's at the tail end of a pretty long line of competition at the position now.

Sources: Pro Football Weekly 2011 Draft Guide, NFLDraftScout.com, North Carolina Central Athletic site, NFL Draft Bible, DraftNasty.com, Durham Herald-Sun, Top End Sports

Photo: North Carolina Central University