Former West Virginia QB Pat White is set to give pro baseball a shot
Former West Virginia QB sensation Pat White was released by the Miami Dolphins this week. Though the NCAA rushing QB record holder (4,480 yards) has yet to find an NFL suitor, he is not giving up on playing professional ball. White will be temporarily trading the pigskin for the hardball. The triggerman is no stranger to baseball; he was a star pitcher and outfielder from Alabama’s Daphne High School. In 2004, he was sought out by several MLB teams and ultimately drafted by the Angels. In the end, his love for football was worth more than the six-figure bonus offered to White and he opted for West Virginia.
White did not disappoint at West Virginia, breaking numerous Mountaineer QB records. When White declared for the NFL, teams such as the Dolphins were excited about White’s fancy footwork and passing ability–a perfect match for the wildcat offense. Unfortunately, all the hype never panned out when he donned the Dolphins uniform.
It was thought that White could switch to another position as Penn State’s Michael Robinson did when he signed with the 49ers. However, White wasn’t prepared to play anything but QB. Quarterback was his natural position. With no NFL teams banging on his doors after he was released, White talked to personnel from the Kansas City Royals who ultimately agreed to sign White to a minor league deal with the caveat that White can pursue football later in his career.
The fact that a MLB team is interested in a player who has not been on the diamond for six years is a clear indication that baseball is White’s sport even though football is his love.
