Tre’Davious White’s days outside of the spotlight are seemingly behind him.
LSU’s senior cornerback, who bears the coveted No. 18 jersey, has more than established a dazzling rapport among his teammates as one of the nation’s premier defensive backs, especially in regards to one-on-one shutdown corners.
However, that notoriety was largely diluted around the country before Saturday, when he was one of few bright spots for fifth-ranked LSU in a 16-14 loss against Wisconsin as he emerged as the Tigers’ most impactful player.
In fact, the national community has “slept on” — or largely neglected his abilities — White since high school, when he signed with LSU as the 186th-ranked player in the country and 18th-best cornerback, according to ESPN.
Starting 35 of 37 games through his first three seasons, White picked up Third-Team Freshman All-America honors in 2013 and added a pair of All-SEC honors but has since been left off national award lists despite cementing himself as LSU’s top corner.
“They want guys that’s going to be difference makers and get interceptions,” White said.
On Saturday, White snagged the Tigers’ first seven points with an interception, which he returned for a touchdown in the third quarter — his third such collegiate score and first interception returned touchdown. He also recovered sophomore cornerback Donte Jackson’s forced fumble in the same quarter.
“If you throw the ball late in front of Tre’Davious White, who’s going to be a first round [NFL] draft pick, he’s going to make you pay,” said former NFL quarterback and college football analyst Brian Griese during the live broadcast.
He was LSU’s “difference maker,” if the Tigers had one — a role he’s unfamiliar with.
“I didn’t have many interceptions last year, but I feel like that didn’t dictate my impact on the game or dictate how well I played,” White said. “Maybe I didn’t have as many opportunities as other guys had or maybe the quarterback just didn’t throw me some fly-by, easy picks.
“And we play a lot of bump-and-run coverage, so [I’m] not going to get too many opportunities to jump routes or sit back in zone and watch the quarterback.”
But if dynamic playmakers are what award voters across the nation want, that’s what they will get from White, who returned to college despite garnering a late first-round NFL draft grade, this season. First-year defensive coordinator Dave Aranda moved White from the outside to nickelback on the inside, where he has an expanded role and greater ability to impact the game in thrilling fashion.
For junior safety Jamal Adams, who was named to CBS’ Preseason All-America First-Team, White was a perfect candidate for Aranda’s new role.
“Tre is very unique, I have to say that,” Adams said of White’s defensive versatility. “He’s smart, he can sit in a hole and call coverages or be in the box [or] on the outside.”
It didn’t take long for White to figure out his new position on Saturday.
In fact, within less than a half of football, White was breaking up passes, thwarted a potential touchdown pass and earned rave reviews from ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay, who was taking in White’s transcendence from shut-down corner on the outside to playmaker in the nickel slot on the sidelines.
With the Badgers knocking on the door from LSU’s 12-yard line, White, lined up in the slot against senior wide receiver Robert Wheelwright, broke up a high pass to the 6-foot-3 receiver in the end zone, forcing a Wisconsin fourth down.
“18 has been blanketing these receivers,” McShay said. “A lot of man-to-man coverage from LSU today, [and] Tre’Davious White has been over these guys. Could’ve been completed, but he was right there.”
Although White was bestowed the No. 18 jersey by teammates, his performance on Saturday resembled moreso that which one would expect from the bearer of No. 7, notoriously worn by LSU’s home run hitter.
Trailing 13-0 with 5:51 left in the third quarter and a stagnant offense, LSU’s defense was desperate for a momentum-shifting play that would bring the Tigers to life.
There came White with the interception returned 21 yards for a touchdown.
On the next possession, White swatted away a pass on a crossing pattern, earning play-by-play man Steve Levy’s praise, who said White had officially taken the game over.
White’s playmaking prowess shouldn’t come as a surprise. Before focusing on keeping points off the board for the Tigers, White’s prep role was quite different as he was tasked with the scoring for Green Oaks High School in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Though his first two seasons at Green Oaks as a wide receiver proved fruitful, White transitioned to quarterback during his junior season while moonlighting as a dominant defensive back and special teams return man.
White said his raw playmaking ability resulted in 72 touchdowns by the end of his high school career — not that he was counting.
“I’m going to remember that,” White said. “I come from having the ball in my hands and making plays.”
White’s first defensive touchdown on Saturday has only kick-started what he expects to be a season full of highlights.
“Difference-making” plays, as he calls them.
He said a variety of plays of the sort should be expected through the remainder of the season, specifically mentioning strip-sacks as a strong possibility.
“[My role] is going to help me get around the ball more,” White said. “I’m trying to change the game and get a lot more turnovers.
“I love the role that I’m in.”
LSU junior Tre’Davious White (18) signs autographs during fan day on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2015 at the Carl Maddox Field House.
