White's Game Unleashed in Ashland
September 13, 2005

Man-to-man or zone coverage, none of it causes AU wide receiver Dalorean White (Warrensville, OH/Erie C.C.) to sweat. He’s used to blanket coverage.

What separates White from many receivers is that at times in the past, his own team has been better at covering him than enemy defensive backs. You’ve heard of “Clapton Unplugged?” “White Unplugged” wasn’t the same kind of hit, especially for the artist himself.

Before he arrived at Ashland last year, White played in a run-oriented offense at Erie Community College in Buffalo, NY. Additionally, his junior college coaches weren’t real keen on the idea of Division I and II coaches recruiting him during the season. Getting a glimpse of what the 5-11, 178-pound White could do was like getting a peek at the Loch Ness Monster.

“He really didn’t get a chance to showcase his abilities,” said AU head coach Lee Owens. “We saw what he could do on special teams. He’s been everything we’ve expected and more.”

“That hurt me a lot,” White said, of playing in a scheme that was run heavy. “I might have caught three or four balls a game.”

White figured he could expect to see more than that playing in a program directed by Owens.

“They told me it was going to be a spread offense,” White recalled. “Other than that, I didn’t know anything about Ashland. I was used to a one-receiver offense. I wanted to play for a coach like him (Owens). He seemed like a stand-up guy.”

The senior doesn’t sit down much these days. A year ago, the AU staff did its best to take the wraps off of his game. He finished the year with 24 receptions and averaged 13.2 ypc., with five TD receptions. White was also eighth in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in kickoff return average (21.2 ypr.). Still, White wanted more. It’s not hard to see why. He was second on the team in receptions, but was far behind senior Michael Hull’s 44 catches.

“It was the same situation in junior college,” White explained. “I came in and wasn’t the No. 1 guy. I eventually became that person. It’s not a tough change, I’ve adapted to that environment.”

To be honest, White’s taken to an increased workload like a Getty heir to $50 bills. This year, he’s AU’s money receiver. He’s caught 17 passes for 202 yards (11.9 ypc.) and three touchdowns. He’s fourth in the GLIAC in receptions per game (5.67) and ninth in receiving yards per game (67.3). White’s still a force on special teams, averaging a team-high 24.2 ypr., on five returns.

As those numbers show, White is no longer neglected. The coaching staff fidgets when he doesn’t get the ball. In addition to often being the first option in the passing game, it’s no shock to see him used on running plays.

“We’d like to get him the ball more,” admitted Owens. “We go into every game with eight or 10 ways to do that. He’s an exciting guy with the ball in his hands.”

White can also be an energetic guy when the ball’s being carried by someone else. He’s not the biggest receiver on the AU roster, but White still has made his presence felt as a blocker.

“In our Saint Joe’s game, we were really impressed with the way he blocked down field,” reported Owens. “When your skill players take on that mentality, that’s great. It’s ‘Hey, let’s knock somebody down.”

Even with that performance at Saint Joseph’s, White is still best known for knocking a defensive back’s socks off with his speed. He’s the player other teams point to as someone that has to be controlled. With that responsibility comes high expectations. But White would prefer that to not seeing the football.

“I love pressure,” he said. “Right now, I don’t come off the field, I’m expected to make big plays.”

The Eagles and their fans got their first glimpse of that playmaking ability at last year’s AU-Wayne State game when White caught four passes for 138 yards with touchdown receptions of 50 and 66 yards. He was a key figure in a 28-21 come-from-behind victory.

“I think that opened the coaches’ eyes,” White said. “I think they knew I was fast, but I don’t know if they knew I was a big-play receiver.”

Now the coaches, fans and players know what White is capable of doing. That includes being a leader. That’s a quality that isn’t easily put into numbers.

“I kind of stayed in the background when I came in,” noted White, thinking back to last season. “This year, with the young guys, I realize I set the tempo for practice. If I’m laid back in practice, they’re laid back. If I’m up, they’re up. I have to set the tempo and be ready at all times.”

“It was tough for him,” pointed out Owens. “He was elected a captain by his teammates this year and that’s hard when you’re a junior college player and don’t come up through the system. He did that with a great offseason work ethic. He gained the respect of his teammates doing that.”

Much of that respect comes from doing the most with what he’s given. Despite limited touches in junior college, White was an all-league choice both years he played at Erie C.C. and in 2002, was the most valuable player at the Red River Bowl. Since arriving in Ashland, he’s done everything that’s been asked of him.

“He’s not going to pout if he doesn’t get the ball,” said Owens. “He takes advantage of every opportunity he gets.”

And since he’s arrived in Ashland, those opportunities have been endless.