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'I'd like to be a triple threat' Georgia Tech's White wants to expand duties in '99
Posted: Tuesday December 29, 1998 03:41 PM
JACKSONVILLE, Florida (AP) -- Dez White doesn't want to stop at being a receiver and kickoff return specialist. Next season, the speedy sophomore hopes to add some punt return duties to his role at Georgia Tech. "I'd like to be a triple threat," said White, who will be playing near his hometown of Orange Park on Friday when the No. 12 Yellow Jackets (9-2) meet No. 17 Notre Dame (9-2) in the Gator Bowl. White and his teammates are practicing this week at The Bolles High School, where he starred as a receiver, returner and kicker. The 6-1, 210-pounder was used mostly on kickoff returns his first year at Georgia Tech, finishing with 330 yards on 14 returns, including a 95-yard touchdown return against Duke. He failed to catch any passes in his limited time at receiver. This year, White had a team-high 46 receptions for nine touchdowns and 973 yards, eclipsing the school receiving record of 902 yards. "Dez has surprised us by how much he's improved from a year ago," Tech coach George O'Leary said. "He just may be the most improved player in the ACC when you look at someone who's come from non-playing to where he ended up." White struggled against Florida State and Georgia, catching a total of three passes for 21 yards. Otherwise, he's been a big playmaker, eclipsing 100 yards receiving in three games -- including a school-record of 243 on six catches against Virginia. He also returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown against Maryland. "I never doubted my ability even though I didn't do a lot last year except return kickoffs," White said. "I've tried to improve my work ethic from a year ago and just become a better overall receiver. The coaching staff has more confidence in me now and things have just worked out. I may also be a little faster and quicker than I was." In the Gator Bowl, he'll be going against a Notre Dame defense that has allowed opponents to post some big offensive numbers this year. "I think you can make big plays against any team; no team can stop all the big plays," he said. "But it's also a matter of going out and executing the plays properly so that you can turn them into game-breakers." O'Leary is encouraging White's goal of an expanded role with the Yellow Jackets. "As Dez learns more and understands the field, I think you have to expand more for him as far as reverses and things like that, because I think he's that type of kid," the coach said.
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Dez White will be playing for his hometown fans in the Gator Bowl