PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Not often an undrafted player can miss one to two weeks of camp and still have a shot at the roster. Steelers must have interest as receiver Cody White remains in camp, with signs of promise as their leading receiver in the second preseason game.
“I just try to come in every day and give it my all and hopefully things come out my way,” White said. “Just try to make the 53 and go from there. Just keep working every day, bringing my all and give 110% every day.”
White is in a little different scenario being on the Steelers practice squad last year. So they’ve had a look at him.
“Going against Joe Haden, Steve Nelson, Minkah Fitzpatrick, TE,” the 6’3”, 215-pound White said. “Getting me better every day going against the top guys in the league. I feel like it helps me improve going against NFL guys every day. Coming into this year and putting all that work in and finally get to show myself in some preseason games. I feel like that helped me a lot coming into this season.”
He signed as a junior out of Michigan State last year with the Chiefs. The Giants and Broncos then took a look at him before he settled on the South Side.
White left school a year early after 66 receptions for 922 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2019. He doesn’t regret the decision, but said it obviously didn’t work out in the draft the way he was told it would.
There is some family knowledge into the NFL as his father not only worked in the game for a couple of decades, currently as a scout with the Washington Football Team, but played for six years.
“My dad (Shelton White) worked for the Lions (in player personnel) for 20 years,” White said. “I’ve been around the game since I’ve been five years-old going on the sidelines with him, in his office. Football has always been a part of our life. I’ve always felt like he’s been giving me tips because he also played in the league.”
“Having that in my family and being able to have that around growing up. I think that helps me a lot.”
Having been through it a couple of times, White also knows how it goes as they approach final roster cuts. White hopes they continue to have faith in him. He’s worked on all four special teams units says he’s trying to find a spot on the final 53 any way he can.
“I’m really just focused on myself,” White said. “Trying to be the best receiver I can be so I come out early, try to get some catches in with my guy Lou (equipment manager). He is out there every day. After practice try and do the same thing. Just trying to make sure my hands are the best they can be.”
It's the deepest group on the team, but JuJu Smith-Schuster and James Washington are free agents after the season. If he continues to improve and can find a roster spot. Maybe leaving school early will eventually work out.