49ers work out QB Pat White
Former West Virginia and Miami Dolphins quarterback Pat White worked out for the San Francisco 49ers, a league source confirmed Thursday.
Given quarterback Colin Kaepernick's unique skill set, the need for a backup with a similar ability is pressing.
Enter White, who participated in a private workout at the 49ers' facility.
The former second-round pick out of West Virginia hasn't played a in the NFL since 2009, but that didn't deter 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh from kicking the tires on White.
"Coach and I had a conversation about me coming in to work out," White told USA Today. "We haven't set up a formal date. I'm just going to make sure I keep working hard for when that day comes."
At the team facility in Santa Clara on Thursday, White threw passes with Harbaugh and also raced the 49ers coach in a 40-yard dash -- with Harbaugh getting a big head start.
White worked out for NFL talent evaluators following West Virginia's pro day on March 14, in an attempt to drum up interest for a possible return to the league. White, 27, didn't complete a pass in five career attempts with the Dolphins -- all in 2009.
He was released following training camp in 2010 and hasn't been with a professional football team since. He did, however, sign a baseball contract with the Kansas City Royals, but never played a minor league game.
White was a heralded high school baseball player. The Anaheim Angels drafted him in the fourth round of the 2004 first-year player draft -- their first pick after selecting high school pitcher Jered Weaver -- but he declined a six-figure sign-bonus to play football.
At West Virginia, he became the first college quarterback to win four bowl games and was a serious Heisman Trophy candidate in 2007 and 2008 running Rich Rodriguez's spread option offense.
"I'm still young. My legs are still with me," White told the Palm Beach Post. "I'm like a 2009 model with about 4,500 miles on it. It still runs just as smooth."
