Could Pat White be the 49ers’ answer at QB?

By Brad Wilbricht  |   Sunday, March 01, 2009  |  Comments( 1 )

San Francisco 49ers
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With recent rumors linking the San Francisco 49ers to jailed quarterback Michael Vick, there may be a better option available in this year’s draft. West Virginia QB Pat White had numerous skeptics entering draft workouts, but he’s silencing those critics with each passing day.

Questions about White’s arm strength, passing ability and size left many experts urging him to make the full-time switch to wide receiver. White kept an open mind and never refused to make a change, but he also didn't waver from his goal of becoming a pro quarterback. He made the decision to work out exclusively at quarterback during the scouting combine but will also run drills as a wide receiver at his upcoming pro day.

During White’s college career, his running talents were well-documented, but he wasn’t always depended on as a passer. West Virginia ran the spread offense and didn’t incorporate an extensive passing attack until White’s senior season. He ran for over 6,000 career yards and racked up 47 touchdowns on the ground for the Mountaineers. And somewhere along the line, White was labeled as strictly a scrambling quarterback.

So far, White has proved his doubters wrong and it should come as no surprise. He gradually became a better passer each season in college, throwing for career highs in yards (1,844) and touchdowns (21) during his senior campaign. Over the course of his four years in Morgantown, White completed 65-plus percent of his passes and tossed 56 touchdowns compared to only 23 interceptions.

San Francisco currently has quarterbacks Shaun Hill and Alex Smith set to battle for the starting position. With questions surrounding both players, the 49ers could be in the market for a young signal-caller during this year’s draft. With more pressing areas to address early, San Francisco could target a quarterback in the later rounds.

White’s terrific combine performance may have boosted him into the second round, but it’s possible he’ll still be on the board in Round 3. White led the quarterback group in two drills, finishing with a 4.51 40-yard dash and a 35-inch vertical jump. If he’s available early on Day 2 of the draft, the 49ers could acquire a versatile weapon capable of playing multiple positions.

If coach Mike Singletary and company prefer to give Hill and Smith one more chance to seize the starting opportunity, White could spend his first season in the NFL at wide receiver. With the explosion of the "Wildcat" formation, he could be used out of the backfield as well. If Hill and Smith fail to take a firm grasp on the starting job, White could step in at any time or be waiting in the wings for the future.

With draft picks meaning more than ever to NFL teams, White would be the jack of all trades who helps the 49ers in a variety of ways. More importantly, he’s willing to do whatever he can to help improve his future team.
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About Brad Wilbricht

Brad Wilbricht covers numerous sporting events including the NFL, NFL Draft and college football. His analysis is simulcast through several media outlets across the country. Additionally, Brad is a regular guest on a variety of talk radio shows and can be frequently heard on the airwaves. To ...
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