88 receptions for 1,483 yards, eight touchdowns and a 16.9 yards per catch average – you would think that athlete is in the National Football League, right? No, it is actually University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) senior wide receiver Ricky White. The 22-year-old transfer from Michigan State has burst onto the scene, helping the Rebels post a winning season (9-5) for the first time since 2013.

White is a name we’re likely to hear much more of in the coming years, and is expected to continue to grow within offensive coordinator Brennan Marion’s “Go-Go Offense”.

To illustrate the impact White had in college, here are several things that he accomplished in 2023.

• 2nd in FBS in Yards Per Route Run (3.83)
• 4th in PFF (Pro Football Focus) Receiving Grade among WRs (90.6)
• 5th in Total Targets
• 3rd in Total Receiving Yards
• 34.4% Team Target Share
• 12.4 Average Depth of Target
• 6.6 Yards After Catch Per Reception
• First Team All-Mountain West (2023)

This underscores White’s significant impact not only for the Rebels, but across college football. Being third in total receiving yards is quite the feat, but many average football fans do not know of White; that is bound to change in the next year if he continues to produce at a high level.

Announced in December of 2023, White will return for his senior year. He spoke at media day and mentioned that he will pass on the NFL Draft and wants to improve his draft stock for the 2025 NFL Draft. He said, “I definitely want to stay another year. I want to develop here. I have a great QB and great coaches around me to help me grow, and a great team, also. I’m definitely going to stay another year, develop, and show the scouts what they want to see.”

If White can produce like he did in 2023, he should be a top NFL wide receiver in next year’s draft. In my opinion, it was smart for him to wait another year and develop and improve his draft stock given how deep this year’s receiving class is. White has a chance to lead the UNLV football team to new heights while also changing the trajectory of his life through the NFL Draft of 2025.