Undrafted Receiver DeAndre White Flashing Potential With 49ers

His speed and sure hands were impressive during recently concluded minicamp, and he now seems to have a chance to make the roster

First DeAndrew White played in the shadow of Amari Cooper at Alabama. Then he was overlooked in the NFL draft.

But now, the former Crimson Tide wide receiver is making the most of his new opportunity with the 49ers.

White, signed as an undrafted free agent, has been one of the most surprising players during the recently concluded offseason team workouts. First at organized team activities (OTAs) and then the full-roster minicamp, White has shown great hands and speed and now appears a candidate to make the roster for opening day.

It will be a steep challenge to make a roster that already includes Anquan Boldin, Torrey Smith, Bruce Ellington, Quinton Patton and Jerome Simpson.

Yet White has blazing speed (4.34 in the 40-yard dash) and has used it to consistently make big plays and catches since joining the 49ers.

In his final year at Alabama, White had 40 catches for 504 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games. As a three-year starter he had 94 catches for 1,294 yards and 12 scores, despite dealing with some injury problems.

Yet the 5-foot-11, 190-pounder was known at Alabama for his work ethic, and some believe with the right opportunity he could be a good NFL receiver.

In his wrap-up of the 49ers’ recent minicamp, Taylor Price of 49ers.com included White among his five standouts, along with Torrey Smith, NaVorro Bowman, Colin Kaepernick and Glenn Dorsey.

“The more we see from the undrafted wideout from Alabama, the more we’re impressed,” wrote Price, noting that White “snatched every pass thrown his way.”

Cooper, the No. 4 overall choice to the Raiders, described White this way during Alabama’s Pro Day: “Great athlete. Great route runner, and he’s getting better. He’s always getting better and he always wants to work. He’s driven and he can go out and make plays.”

Also speaking at Alabama’s Pro Day, Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban said he thought White might be “underappreciated by the NFL” because his stats don’t really reflect his talent.

“He’s got great speed. He’s got great size,” said Saban. “He’s a great special teams player. He’s been a great special teams player for us. If you’re not a No. 1 or 2 receiver on a team, you’re going to have to play special teams. I think he’s going to be a real value for somebody. (They are) going to get a guy who has great ability but probably could develop into something special.”

If White can show during training camp and the exhibition season that he can, indeed, contribute on special teams, it certainly now seems he could improve his chances to make the roster.

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