LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Kevin White is impossible to miss.
The seventh overall selection of the 2015 NFL draft, White took the field Friday at the Chicago Bears’ rookie minicamp, an annual event featuring six draft picks, 15 undrafted rookie free agents and 28 tryout players.
At 6-foot-3, White easily stood out from the crowd.
“Did a lot of movement today,” White said. “Left side and in the slot on the right side. Slot in the left. So a lot different than college. Just trying to get adjusted. First day. So it wasn’t as good as I wanted it to be. But I’m learning the system and trying to get better each and every day.
“There’s a lot of information to take for day one. Everything gets thrown at you at one time. So you’ve got to kind of relax and try to take it all in and just learn.”
One of White’s biggest supporters is Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase, who endorsed White after the wide receiver’s April pre-draft visit to Halas Hall.
“He was outstanding,” Gase said. “He could tell you exactly what the checks were, what him and the quarterback, what page they were on. It was pretty impressive when he came in the building. We really like what he brought to the table, and we look for specific routes, and when we see one or two things, we know they can do the entire tree, so his speed, his body control, the way that he bursts off the ball, all those things we really liked.”
White will need to catch 46 balls to break the Bears’ rookie reception mark (45) set by Johnny Knox (2009) and Harlon Hill (1954). For that to happen, White needs to develop a strong rapport with quarterback Jay Cutler.
“If he’s in trouble, he can come to me,” White said. “If he has trust in me, it’s a lot better for me. I get more chances. If a quarterback doesn’t trust you, he isn’t going to go to you very often.
“I can call or text him whenever I want. He’s here to help me. We’re on the same team so there’s no ‘ask someone else.’ If I text him, he’s ready to help.”