New England Patriots EDGE rusher Keion White was able to improve his sack numbers in his second year as a professional from 1 sack to 5 sacks on a Pats team that underperformed.
White was able to double his stats in almost every statistical measure, including tackles, pass breakups, tackles for loss and quarterback hits. The defensive lineman had a 30-tackle total increase, causing two forced fumbles, 5 PBUs, and 16 QB hits.
Joseph Acosta of SB Nation predicts that White will become a Pro Bowler under a new coaching system. Here’s what he had to say about the Patriot:
“Sometimes there are just players that raise hell regardless of where they line up. Patriots’ DL Keion White is one of those guys. Powerful, long and with a high motor, White is bound for a massive leap into the national consciousness of the NFL. The Patriots are in their first year under Mike Vrabel as head coach, but I’m a fan of DC Terrell Williams, who was the defensive line coach in Detroit previously. White is one of the most important pieces of a revamped Patriots’ defense that’s looking to put a bad 2024 behind them, and because of his overall chaos he produces, he could make his first Pro Bowl.”
If White can continue developing under Vrabel, the EDGE rusher can see an increase in production for a second straight year.
Shining At Training Camp
White has been going up against the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Will Campbell, in training camp.
On the first day of padded practice, the defender has been making practice a bit harsh for the fourth overall pick.
“Will Campbell was on the ground twice in the span of about eight minutes early in the practice,” NBC Sports Boston Phil Perry said. It’s a run-blocking period and they’re just sort of engaged and they’re moving sideways. Keion White, at the end of the drill, just gets underneath him and through Will Campbell. He ended up rolling on the ground.”
“A couple minutes later, in the 1-on-1 pass protection drill, Keion White bull-rushed with both arms fully extended using real power against Will Campbell. He must have felt Campbell sort of leaning on him a little bit to sort of counteract that power move, and Keion White as a counter just rips Will Campbell towards him and sends Will Campbell stumbling in the wrong direction, and Keion White breezed past him into the backfield.”
While it is the first official game-like practice for Campbell, easing past a highly praised draft pick showcases what White brings to the Patriots’ defensive front.
Learning From New Defensive Coordinator
Patriots defensive coordinator Terrell Williams wasn’t present at some of the team’s early offseason training due to a health scare. Now, Williams is back with the Patriots at training camp, ready to help the team.
Williams has produced Pro Bowl talent as a defensive line coach, including new Patriot EDGE rusher Harold Landry.
White has the opportunity to learn from Williams and Landry to elevate his game and become a Pro Bowler in year 3.
“T brings like a competitiveness to the room,” White said at training camp. “He always wants to dominate. He doesn’t really care if you have the pads or not; he doesn’t want you to look like you’re soft. And I respect that.”
