Why Jason White Went Undrafted: Uncovering the Surprising Journey of the Talented College Football Player

By Jason Bolton August 14, 2024 00:27

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Jason White, the name alone still draws the attention of college football fans everywhere, given what he accomplished during his four years at Oklahoma. After hoisting the illustrious Heisman Trophy in 2003 and guiding his team to two BCS National Championship games, White shockingly lived through a tumultuous NFL path before going undrafted out of college after the '05 season. This profile peels back the multitude of layers that brought them to this unexpected spot, detailing White's reported history and his seemingly storied college career and how he plummeted through three rounds unclaimed following a shocking NFL Combine performance.

Early Life and Background

Born on June 19, 1980, in Tuttle, Oklahoma, Jason White demonstrated his talent as a footballer from an early age. He was a high school standout, which led to the recruiting services listing him as a five-star prospect. He ended up at powerhouse Oklahoma, where he played for head coach Bob Stoops.

Stellar College Career

His playing days covered 1999 to 2004 and a challenging path through college football at Oklahoma. He served as a redshirt freshman and later took over starting at quarterback in 2001 before suffering an ACL tear. It was one of two significant knee injuries that he would suffer. He managed to overcome those speed bumps and guided Oklahoma back to the BCS national title game in 2003 with a season that included throwing for 40 touchdowns against just eight interceptions, making White the Heisman Trophy winner.

White stayed in top form through 2004, finishing third behind teammate Adrian Peterson and Matt Leinart of USC in the Heisman balloting. Among those accolades were the Maxwell Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and Davey O'Brien National Quarterback of the Year award that goes in hand with solidifying himself as one of college football's all-time greatest quarterbacks. At the end of his career, White held several school records for passing yards (8,012) and touchdown passes made at Oklahoma with 81 touchdowns.

The Impact of Injuries

his impressive stats and awards aside, White's injury riddled his college career. He had reconstructive surgeries on both knees during the 2001 and 2002 seasons, severely limiting his mobility at the NFL level. The fact that he couldn't scramble and his dependence on a spread formation only made him all the more challenging for NFL scouts, who often value mobility in QBs.

Scouting Evaluations

While some praised his college accomplishments, others doubted he would ever be the same because of those pair of knee injuries. Most NFL teams thought White's more passive, good decision-making style would not adapt well to the pro level, which is so much based on mobility. It didn't help that many NFL teams were looking for quarterbacks who could make plays with their feet, something White largely struggled to do because of his injuries.

The NFL Draft and Being Undrafted

White dreamed of a different fairy tale story but hoped for the best in the 2005 NFL Draft. He later earned a tryout with the Kansas City Chiefs, but they ultimately declined to sign him. White ended up being signed as an undrafted free agent by the Tennessee Titans, but his physical condition was a big obstacle. Before the 2005 season, he announced that he would retire due to his ongoing knee troubles.

The Elements That Lead NFL Teams to Decide

The following are some of the reasons WNFL teams didn't draft White:

Injury history: White had a long list of knee injuries that made teams cautious about investing in him. The potential for re-injury and a short career were not lost on evaluators of these players.
Fit: The NFL was moving towards an offensive scheme that benefited quarterbacks who could make a play outside of the pocket at any given moment. White played a more old-school, non-mobile style that was becoming less and less popular in the NFL.
Performance in Big Games: White had a great college career overall, but his showings in two BCS Championship games could be mediocre. Oklahoma dropped both contests, and White's issues in a pair of high-pressure spots seemingly left scouts doubtful about whether he could hack it at the next level.

Life After Football

After Jason White hung up the cleats, he moved to private business. He was active in businesses around Oklahoma City, through which he met the Tsingine family, his business partner at Air Comfort Solutions. White, of course, has made a point to give back to the community and is also a serial entrepreneur. He has also appeared in commercials, including a spot with fellow Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, which only further reminds White that he's somehow still talking about football and the past.

Legacy and Reflection

Jason White was not drafted and only played a brief spell as a pro, but his record in college football is nothing significant. But he'll always be known for his grit and how he inspired his team to overcome adversity.

His performances has led many fans and analysts to wonder if White, plagued by injuries throughout his career, could have found some success in the NFL had he stayed healthy. The story here is a simple one about how sports can change quickly, and nothing in the pro athletics world separates glory from obscurity more finely.

Jason White was a celebrated college quarterback who went undrafted. However, he was ultimately doomed by a combination of injuries and the NFL evolving away from his style.