Devin White Bio
Devin Marcel White (born February 17, 1998) is an American professional football linebacker for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers, and was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fifth overall in the 2019 NFL draft. He spent five seasons with the Buccaneers and won a Super Bowl championship with the team in Super Bowl LV.
Standing 6 feet tall and weighing around 237 pounds, White is widely regarded as one of the most athletic linebackers of his draft class. After starring in college, he quickly became a defensive cornerstone in Tampa Bay, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2021. His career has since carried him through Philadelphia, Houston, and Las Vegas.
Early Life and Background
Devin Marcel White was born on February 17, 1998, in Springhill, Louisiana. He grew up in a tight-knit community in northwest Louisiana, where football has long been a central tradition. From an early age, White gravitated toward the defensive side of the ball, playing linebacker and running back during his youth.
White attended North Webster High School in Springhill, where he starred as a standout linebacker and running back. His high school performances drew attention from college recruiters across the country. Despite off-field legal troubles as a teenager, he remained a high-profile recruit and ultimately signed with LSU to continue his football career.
Beyond football, White is the younger cousin of retired NFL running back Charcandrick West, giving him a direct family connection to the professional game. He has spoken about his Christian faith as a guiding influence in his life.
Path to American Football
White’s path to professional football ran directly through Baton Rouge and the LSU Tigers program. After completing his high school career, he joined LSU and worked his way into a starting role on defense. His combination of size, speed, and instincts at the linebacker position made him one of the most talked-about defenders in the Southeastern Conference.
In his sophomore season at LSU, White led the Southeastern Conference in tackles with 133, the fourth-most tackles in a single season in school history. He became the first player in SEC history to be named Defensive Player of the Week four times in the same season. Those performances helped establish him as a future NFL prospect.
Following his junior year, White decided to forgo his senior season and enter the 2019 NFL draft. His decision was based on a belief that he had already proven himself at the collegiate level. The leap from small-town Springhill to a top-five NFL selection was completed in just a few years.
Devin White Career
Early Career (2019)
White was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round with the fifth overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft. His selection made him the highest drafted LSU defensive player since Patrick Peterson in 2011, as well as the highest drafted linebacker in school history. On July 20, 2019, the Buccaneers signed White to a fully guaranteed, four-year, $29.32 million contract including a signing bonus of $19.34 million.
He made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers, making six tackles in a 31-17 loss. A sprained MCL in Week 2 cost him three games, but he returned to post a team-high 12 tackles against Seattle in Week 9. He closed his rookie year as the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month for both November and December, finishing with 91 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, one interception, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and two fumble return touchdowns, and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Breakthrough (2020-2021)
In his second season, White emerged as one of the league’s most productive linebackers. He posted a career-high three sacks against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He later added a second weekly award after a 31-27 comeback win over Atlanta in Week 15. He finished the 2020 regular season with a team-best 140 total tackles, nine sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and four pass deflections, and was named Second-team All-Pro.
The 2020 postseason became the defining stretch of his early career. In the Divisional Round, he led Tampa Bay with 11 tackles and intercepted Drew Brees in a 30-20 win over New Orleans. In the NFC Championship, he added 15 tackles in a 31-26 victory over Green Bay. In Super Bowl LV against the Kansas City Chiefs, White recorded 12 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a game-sealing interception of Patrick Mahomes in the end zone to secure a 31-9 Buccaneers victory and a world championship.
In 2021, White was voted to the Pro Bowl, cementing his place among the league’s top linebackers. On April 27, 2022, the Buccaneers exercised the fifth-year option on his contract, signaling their continued investment in him as a defensive leader.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2025-Present)
White’s path to Las Vegas included brief stops in Philadelphia and Houston. On March 18, 2024, the Philadelphia Eagles signed White to a one-year, $7.5 million contract, but he was released on October 8 without appearing in a game. On October 23, 2024, he was signed by the Houston Texans, adding veteran linebacker depth down the stretch of that season.
On March 28, 2025, White signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, beginning a new chapter in his career. He set a Raiders franchise record for most tackles in a season during the 2025 campaign. His veteran presence and playmaking ability have been central to the Raiders’ defensive identity.
Driving Style and Strengths
White is known for his sideline-to-sideline speed, aggressive tackling, and ability to force fumbles. His background as a high school running back gives him rare awareness in pursuit, while his SEC pedigree prepared him for the physicality of professional football. He pairs sideline range with above-average coverage skills for the position.
Notable Events and Milestones
White’s most defining moment came in Super Bowl LV, when his end-zone interception of Patrick Mahomes sealed Tampa Bay’s championship. He is also a former Butkus Award winner, a consensus All-American, and a two-time NFC Defensive Player of the Week. In 2025, he added a Raiders franchise tackle record to his list of accomplishments.
Devin White Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Devin Marcel White comes from a family with deep ties to American football. He is the younger cousin of retired NFL running back Charcandrick West, who spent several seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. That family connection helped shape White’s understanding of the professional game from a young age.
Personal Life
White is a Christian and has spoken about the role of faith in guiding his career. He grew up in Springhill, Louisiana, and remains connected to his hometown community. His journey from a small Louisiana town to NFL stardom is a point of pride for his family and supporters.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a fresh start for Devin Marcel White with the Las Vegas Raiders after signing on March 28, 2025. He quickly became a central figure in the team’s defense, providing veteran leadership and consistent production at the linebacker position. His familiarity with defensive schemes allowed him to make an immediate impact.
White set a Raiders franchise record for most tackles in a season, underscoring his durability and his ability to play every defensive snap. His tackling volume and sideline pursuit gave the Raiders a dependable cornerstone in the middle of their defense. He continued to contribute in coverage and as a blitzer, giving the defensive staff flexibility in game planning.
Looking ahead, White’s contract with the Raiders runs through the present, providing stability for both player and team. His production in 2025 suggests he remains an above-average starting linebacker in the NFL. As the Raiders build their defensive identity, White’s experience and playmaking are expected to remain central to their plans.