LSU's Devin White declares for NFL, could be draft's top linebacker

One of the SEC’s best players is heading to the NFL.

On Monday morning, LSU linebacker Devin White announced that he will forgo his senior season and put his name in the 2019 NFL draft. He could end up being the first linebacker off the board.

As a junior, White led LSU with 123 tackles while adding 12 tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. That output came on the heels of a monster sophomore season when White amassed 133 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and an interception.

The 6-foot-1, 240-pound White was a consensus All-American in 2018 and won the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s top linebacker. He is the third LSU junior to leave school for the NFL, joining cornerback Greedy Williams and defensive tackle Ed Alexander.

Several other NFL draft prospects decided to return to LSU. That list includes cornerback Kristian Fulton, linebacker Michael Divinity and defensive linemen Breiden Fehoko and Rashard Lawrence.

With Divinity (54 tackles, 9.5 TFL) and Jacob Phillips (87 tackles) back, plus K’Lavon Chaisson’s return from a knee injury, there shouldn’t be too much of a drop-off in production at linebacker caused by White’s departure. Patrick Queen, who had 40 tackles and five tackles for loss in 2018, is considered an early favorite to fill in at White’s spot in the starting lineup.

LSU went 10-3 in 2018, including a win over UCF in the Fiesta Bowl. It was the program’s first 10-win season since 2013.

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