Giovonni White is one of the best players from the Seattle, WA area in the Class of 2019.
The 6-foot-2, 305-pound White, who attends Lincoln High School, is an imposing offensive/defensive lineman.
White has already earned plenty of awards and recognition during his career, including earning first-team All-League, first team All-Area and May madness DL MVP.
White is humbled by the recognition.
“The recognition I got from those awards were exciting for a little but they didn’t really mean anything because I know I have more work to Put in to obtain my main goal , they were great stepping stones,” White said. “I loved the experience in all of the camps and stuff I have been to, it shows how good I am going against different people not just the people from my team.”
No matter the opponent, on each snap White is determined to give it his all.
White is going all out.
The motor is always at full throttle whenever White steps between the lines.
“My mindset at my position is to dominate my opponent and do my job,” White said. “To never let the opponent get anything easy on my watch.”
White has great passion and energy whenever he’s on the gridiron. White tells why he enjoys the game of football so much.
“What I love the most about playing football is having a team full of brothers,” White said. “I enjoy that bond that we share and nothing can ever break it.”
White has learned many valuable lessons from playing football that he applies to his everyday life.
The main one is applying perspective to all situations.
“Football has taught me is that not everything is going to go your way but it is about how you respond to the situation,” White said.
White recalls his favorite football memory.
“Getting a scoop and score vs Stadium last year because how many lineman can say they scored?” White said.
Offensive coordinator Shalls Jacome has coached White for three seasons at Lincoln High School.
Jacome explains the best parts of White’s game.
“He is a dominant force on both sides of the ball. He is strong and fundamentally sound. He focuses heavily on his technique and combined with his size and strength makes him an extremely important piece on our team,” Jacome said. “At defensive tackle: Strong run Support – Plays 0 and 1 tech very stout. Can take on double teams very well. At offensive line: Run game technique is sound. Run game footwork is one of the best in the area. Very athletic from the guard/tackle positions.”
White takes his role as one of the leaders on the team very seriously. White makes sure he’s a daily positive influence on his peers.
“I demonstrate being a good teammate by coming to every work out and practice with a positive mindset and also I hold my teammates accountable,” White said. “The best advice I have given my teammates was that i believed in them before every game and also to always have your brothers back.”
Jacome adds that White is one of those consummate teammates that every locker room needs.
“He is one of the leaders of our program. He is looked up to by many of his peers,” Jacome said. “Both a vocal and “lead by example” type of person. Lives out many of the core values and covenants in our program.”
White is appreciative of having amazing male role models that are supportive.
“What I have learned from my coach is that the little things matter no only in football but in life to be a better husband and a better father,” White said. “The best advice I got from my coaches was that life is a marathon not a sprint.”
Jacome recalls an example of White’s capabilities.
“Every game he is dominant on his down blocks. Whenever there is a 3-technique on his side on a veer play it is usually a “highlight” worthy play,” Jacome said. “Defensively, at Lakes High School he had a tackle for loss and a caused fumble in one play. One of his most dominant reps all year.”
In addition to making clutch plays, White also has a high level of football IQ as well.
White has excellent football awareness that puts him in position to thrive.
“Offensively: Is able to check protections and runs to the area with less numbers and more space. Knows the entire offense including wide receiver routes,” Jacome said. “Defensively: Studies film and reads his game plan until it is internalized every week. He knows the checks for defenses and where everyone is supposed to be.”
White is on the grind to perfect and hone his craft in any way possible.
“He has an excellent work ethic. Lifts and runs hard. Is involved in track and field while still attending our team’s 6 a.m workouts,” Jacome said. “This year he has been working on his pass-rush during the off-season. This is an area where he has dedicated much of his time.”
Jacome compares White to these linemen.
“Antwaun Woods (USC and Tennessee Titans): They have a very similar frame and play the same type of role on the team,” Jacome said. “Mike Daniels: Smaller – Uses leverage in both Pass/Run situations. Run stopping defensive tackle.”
Meanwhile, White patterns his style of play after these athletes.
“I look to guys like Mike Daniels and Aaron Donald because they are short undersized lineman like I am so I try to mirror there game,” White said.
White is constantly striving for greatness in everything that he does.
“My goals on and off the field are to be a better person and be a better leader,” White said. “If I do those things I will be a good football player.:
Before the pros, White wants to be the next great Oregon Duck or USC Trojan.
“My dream college to play at would be Oregon or USC because they both have great cultures of winning and I would love to be a part of that,” White said.
White lists math as his favorite subject in school.
“I love to problem solve and I just love to find out new ways of doing something simple,” White said.
Jacome outlines the next areas of improvement for White.
“Offensively he will be working on his pass sets. We are transitioning from the vertical sets used at Washington State to more traditional pass sets,” Jacome said. “Improving this skills is more about repetitions than anything else.”
Jacome believes the sky is the limit as long as White continues to stay hungry.
“He is a very versatile player. He has been offered by Eastern Washington University as both an offensive and defensive layer. He is a Division 1 caliber player,” Jacome said. “He has a very high ceiling because of his work ethic.”
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