Ridgeview's most dynamic playmaker hopes to focus on defense

Lawrence White of Ridgeview (Bakersfield) shows his speed as an option quarterback and part-time wide receiver for the Wolf Pack, but says he's fine tuning his skills at the position he could likely play once he's in college: cornerback (photo by Lorenzo J. Reyna)

It’s hard to get Lawrence White of Ridgeview (Bakersfield) off the field.

On Friday nights in Kern County, the 6’2”, 170 pound White puts on the No. 7 jersey and slips past defenders while playing quarterback. He’s also zoomed past man coverage while lining up at wide receiver and blankets the opposition at cornerback.

Recently at Passing Down’s Nor Cal Regional in Livermore on March 15, the versatile White was doing more of the same for his squad DB Nation: going deep, throwing it deep and covering receivers on defense at the Robertson Sports Park Field.

White, though, said that his calling at the college level could be in the defensive backfield.

“I’m mainly trying to focus on my cornerback skills,” White said. “I also want to play receiver and wherever my team needs me. But I’m mainly focusing on cornerback.”

White rotated at quarterback for the Central Section Division II champions and state playoff qualifier last season. He threw for 1,228 yards, had 14 touchdowns through the air and was intercepted just twice.

White, though, did his most damage on option keeper plays. He rushed for 1,077 yards on 136 carries and scored 11 touchdowns for the 12-2 Wolf Pack. Defensively, White intercepted three passes and became Ridgeview’s top shut down corner because of his speed, change of direction and hands.

He’s at the same school that once produced Shannon Edwards (defensive back, Fresno State), Tyler Ferguson (quarterback, Louisville) and Kamari Moya-Cotton (safety, Iowa State). Like the trio, White has gotten on the radar for different college football programs.

White landed a Colorado State scholarship offer on Feb. 8, 2015. He said the Rams are recruiting him to play cornerback. He adds that Nevada, Wyoming, Utah State and Iowa State have shown interest in him through letters.

White said that he’s zeroing in on winning the one-on-one battles at the line of scrimmage.

“I’m just trying to stay in front and not allow people to get off the line,” White said.

However, he prides himself on playing at multiple spots on the field.

“I’ll play pretty much wherever my coach wants me to play. I just try to get it done for my team,” White said.

White's film can be viewed here.