'Felt like I was in my backyard': Duval native David White Jr. details Jaguars rookie camp

To Jacksonville native and undrafted free agent wide receiver David White Jr., it’s very cliché.

The hometown kid who wanted to get a shot to play in the NFL is getting an opportunity with the team he grew up watching. White, a Westside High graduate, was able to suit up for the Jacksonville Jaguars as they opened rookie minicamp Friday.

It’s a dream several kids grow up with, but White can live it out.

“Honestly, it’s a blessing. To be here, to be in my hometown feels like, I know it’s cliché, but a dream,” White said.

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White’s journey to the NFL included a two-year stint with the Valdosta State Blazers, where he helped them win a Division II National Championship in 2018. Then he transferred to Western Carolina for his junior and senior seasons.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound wideout recorded 519 yards on 34 receptions for six touchdowns for the Catamounts last year, ranking as their second-best pass catcher in each category.

His consistent collegiate stats might’ve been a plus, but it’s likely his attendance at the local pro day impressed the Jaguars’ brass.

White said the event held special importance for him compared to other interactions with teams during the draft process.

“I went on other visits, but this one was just, it was just something about it,” he said. “I felt like I was in my backyard. Music playing and just to be here in my city. It all felt right. It all felt like I was supposed to be here.”

And now he has a shot to battle for a roster spot in a crowded wide receiver room. Along with 2024 first-rounder Brian Thomas Jr., veterans Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis and Devin Duvernay are locks to make the main roster.

Leaving it a toss-up for the last spot or two in the room for several different players.

“I definitely want to excel, myself as an individual, but also get to learn every piece of the staff here on this team,” White said. “I feel like to win championships, it takes a village. I want to build a relationship with everybody get to know people on a personal level.

“Because I feel like if you can strengthen your brotherhood that you can strengthen just a relationship with a team overall. And that's how you get people to buy in.”

The journey won’t be easy. Once White makes it through rookie minicamp, he has to navigate organized team activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp before engaging in the grueling training camp slate.

But in the process, he’ll be an inspiration for all the kids who have a dream of one day suiting up for their hometown team.

“I tell people all the time that where I’m at right now, took years. Not a few days, not a few weeks, not a few months,” he said. “For the goals that you truly have, you have to get up every day and give it all of you. And it takes years for those things to come into fruition.”

Juston Lewis is a Jacksonville Jaguars beat reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on the website formerly known as Twitter at @JustonLewis_.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars 2024 rookie camp: David White talks journey to NFL