LenDale White (USC) - 2006 NFL Draft Pick #45 by TEN
What The Experts Thought Before The Draft
Pre-Draft Analysis for LenDale White - 2006 NFL Draft
College: University of Southern California (USC)
Position: Running Back
Overview
LenDale White was a highly regarded prospect coming out of USC, where he was a key contributor to the Trojans' success in the early 2000s. Known for his powerful running style, White combined size and agility, making him a formidable presence in the backfield.
Strengths
- Size and Power: Standing at 6'0" and weighing around 240 pounds, White possessed a robust frame that allowed him to break tackles and gain yards after contact.
- Vision: White exhibited great field awareness, allowing him to find running lanes and make quick decisions on the field.
- Balance: His ability to maintain balance while navigating through defenders made him a difficult player to bring down.
- Experience: Having played in a high-level program like USC, White was battle-tested and familiar with the pressures of competing at a top-tier college level.
Weaknesses
- Injury Concerns: White had a history of injuries during his college career, raising concerns about his durability at the professional level.
- Speed: While he was powerful, some scouts were concerned that he lacked the breakaway speed of other top running back prospects.
- Work Ethic: There were questions about his conditioning and commitment to maintaining peak performance, particularly in a league that demands high levels of fitness.
Overall Projection
LenDale White was projected to be a mid-to-late first round pick or early second round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. His combination of size, skill, and college pedigree made him an attractive option for teams in need of a strong running back. However, teams needed to weigh his injury history and conditioning concerns against his potential to be a feature back in the NFL.
Ideal Fit
White was seen as a good fit for teams that employed a power running game, capable of utilizing his strengths as a downhill runner. He was expected to contribute immediately as a short-yardage back and had the potential to develop into a starter with proper coaching and conditioning.