Diamond in the rough?
Georgia Tech’s Keion White — a former TE converted to DL— turns heads at Senior Bowl practices
MOBILE, Ala. — Standing in the end zone Wednesday morning during 9-on-7 drills for the National team’s Senior Bowl practice were Bears general manager Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus.
That didn’t offer them a view of one-onone drills for wide receivers and cornerbacks at the other end of the field at Hancock Whitney Stadium. But let’s be honest: The Bears don’t have a greater need than on the defensive line.
They were 31st in the NFL against the run in 2022 and last in the league in sacks with 20—1 ½ more than Robert Quinn had the season before. The Bears have to be significantly better up front to battle their way out of the NFC North basement.
There probably isn’t a player worthy of the No. 1 pick here, but a potential trade down — or multiple maneuvers for more picks — could open a world of draft possibilities for the Bears, who need to be prepared for everything.
Georgia Tech defensive end Keion White has to be of interest. He’s raw at the position — a converted tight end — and at first glance he might be a little bigger than you’d think to play in Eberflus’ scheme at 6-foot-4 ¾, 280 pounds. But White moves well, and while Tony Dungy preferred lighter and quicker ends in his 4-3 Cover-2 scheme, Eberflus was schooled more by Rod Marinelli and Lovie Smith, and they had no qualms using heavier players at the position, especially on the left side.
White had no problem using his hands to shed blockers in the drill and looks rather instinctual, which is a plus considering his background. Eberflus has said repeatedly that he covets long, athletic players.
White fits the bill and could be only beginning to blossom. He was a lightly recruited tight end out of Garner, N.C., who redshirted for Old Dominion in 2017