Emphasis on mental health helped Memphis snatch four-star DE Joshua White
DECATUR, Ga. (BVM) — One of the top-ranked defensive recruits in the Class of 2022, four-star DE Joshua White, is slated to begin his collegiate career at the University of Memphis. White, who is the No. 38 ranked defensive end in the state of Georgia, adds to the Tigers’ No. 3 ACC rank in this recruiting cycle.
A Decatur, Georgia native, White鈥檚 6-foot-5, 280-pound frame has helped him dominate in the trenches through his four years at Cedar Grove High School. And though he hasn鈥檛 always been on the defensive side of the ball, White鈥檚 strength and physicality have solidified his command at the line for his Saints defense.
鈥淚 started playing football around 7 years old,鈥� White said. 鈥淚 actually started as an offensive center and then offensive tackle. But when I was about 11 years old, I moved to defensive end and have played there ever since. It鈥檚 my favorite position because it鈥檚 so physical — I like hitting people.鈥�
White was a dual-sport athlete in football and basketball until his sophomore year. Due to injury risk and a flood of college attention for his talents on the gridiron, he decided to solely focus on a future in football.
鈥淚 always played football just for the love of the game,鈥� White said. 鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 until ninth grade that I saw myself getting better and better and a few colleges started looking at me. That鈥檚 when I started taking the game seriously.鈥�
Hall received more than 18 college offers through his recruitment process with at least 13 of those from Division I programs. With a plethora of top collegiate choices, Hall said it was his conversation with Memphis鈥� defensive line coach, Kyle Pope, that ultimately sealed his commitment to Memphis after the importance of mental health and family were front and center throughout their entire first meeting.
鈥淲hen I first started talking to Coach [Pope], we talked about mental health,鈥� White said. 鈥淣ot a dime about football or about how good my stats were last year. It was all about mental health and my family. I had never talked to any other coach about that stuff — it had always been about football and stats.鈥�
White said that first conversation with Pope truly resonated with him as mental health has emerged as a necessary topic of discussion in today鈥檚 society, especially among athletes.
鈥淢ental health today is so important,鈥� White said. 鈥淎 lot of people struggle. A lot of football players struggle — they are opting out of seasons because of their struggles. So that conversation [with Coach Pope] made me feel great. And then he talked to my family. He connected with them. My grandma liked him, my aunt liked him, my mom liked him, my dad liked him. My family was able to build relationships with all the coaches. It made me feel really good about my decision to go to Memphis.鈥�
With a drive to better himself and his community, White is focused on taking his athleticism to the next level after his time as a Tiger. But with or without an NFL career, the defensive end knows his future will be centered around helping the people around him.
鈥淚 hope I can reach the NFL,鈥� White said. 鈥淏ut regardless of that, I want to give back to my community. I will make time to pursue my career, but my focus will be making sure I have time to give back to people that don鈥檛 have as much or simply want more in life.鈥�
White plans on giving back to his community through charity work, donations, and time spent with the underprivileged. And once he has touched his hometown, he plans to spread his outreach as far as he can.
鈥淩ec centers, mental health programs, safe places to play ball,鈥� White said when speaking on ways he plans on giving back. 鈥淭urkey drives for Thanksgiving, Christmas drives, all that type of stuff. I want to give back in Georgia and then move on to give back everywhere I can. Anyone can give back in their hometown, but if I can go above and beyond that, that鈥檚 where the real stuff is.鈥�
Before White heads to Memphis, he has one more task to check off of his list — a high school state championship title. The Saints have had a commanding playoff run so far and have outscored their opponents 155-16 through three playoff contests. With a Final Four matchup against Appling County (12-1) before they can clinch a state championship appearance, White and his Cedar Grove squad are ready for the challenge.
鈥淲e are prepping by getting ourselves better, pushing each other to get better every day,鈥� White said. 鈥淭o beat the other team, the person next to you has to be as good as you, everybody has to be on the same page. I know we can go to the state championship. We have to keep working and not get overwhelmed. We are locked in every single day of the week. If we keep our heads down and God first, I have no doubt we will come out on top.鈥�
