A recurring series where we will profile every player and coach on Maryland’s roster, counting down to kick-off against Miami. Thanks to OBNUG for the idea.
Today we profile one of the guys in the position battle at right guard.
Pete White, Sophomore (RS), Offensive Guard
Stats:
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 330
Ratings: Four stars, #1 in Washington D.C., #13 offensive guard by Rivals; four stars, #5 offensive guard by Scout; three stars, #22 offensive guard by ESPN; #17 offensive guard in 2014 draft class by NFL Draft Scout
40-yard dash time: 5.2
High School Stats (Senior Year): 63 pancakes
High School: St. John’s College High School (Washington, D.C.)
How’d He Get To College Park?
Pete White was another huge signing by James Franklin and the previous staff, as the mammoth offensive guard was lured to College Park from Washington D.C. Coming out of high school, he weighed about 340 pounds, and has since lost about ten pounds and looks significantly more fit than he did in this recruiting video.
White was offered by Florida, Miami, Oregon, Penn State, and Virginia Tech, among others. Somehow, coach Franklin used his voodoo magic to bring the big guy to College Park, and now he’s in contention for a starting job as a redshirt sophomore.
White was a second-team All-Met selection as a junior in 2007 and was named to the first team as a senior the next year. He was a three-time first-team all-conference player and played in the 2009 Under Armour All-America Game.
After redshirting his first year on campus, White played in eight games last year, including one start (when he filled in for an injured Justin Lewis against North Carolina State).
More after the jump.
Nickname:
I got nothing. I have, however, attempted to arm wrestle Pete White twice. It did not turn out so well for me either time.
Career Highlight:
Starting against North Carolina State.
Career Lowlight:
Not winning the right guard battle outright.
Arbitrary Top Five List:
2005 St. John’s starting offensive line (with college they attended):
1. Pete White (Maryland)
2. Mike Ward (Akron)
3. Drew Luongo (Penn)
4. Triston Cappel (Delaware State)
5. Ryan White (Georgetown)
Dream Season:
White overtakes Josh Cary for the starting right guard spot, showing the talent that made him such a highly touted recruit and securing a starting spot for the next two years.
Nightmare season:
White loses out to Cary, and plays in limited time off the bench throughout the year.
2011 Prospectus:
Pete White is listed as the backup to Josh Cary on Maryland’s depth chart at right guard. In reality, it’s probably very, very close, but Cary does have the slight edge. White is undeniably talented and, as you’ll see when we talk about Cary, erm, very soon, was a much more highly touted recruit than his right guard counterpart.
As we have learned, however, recruiting rankings don’t mean squat once you get on campus. By all accounts, White has performed well in practice, but Cary apparently blew the coaches away this spring. White will play this year, and he will play a lot. Even if he doesn’t get the starting right guard spot, he will almost undoubtedly be the first guard off the bench, a position that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Behind White are walk-on Gary Harraka and true freshman Stephen Grommer. Neither pose an immediate threat. Cary, however, is also a sophomore, so White will have to beat him out if he wants to start at some point during his collegiate career (unless moving over to left guard is in the cards after Andrew Gonnella graduates).
Up Next:
Our next player came out of nowhere to take the lead for a starting spot on the offensive line.