Tennessee receiver Squirrel White hasn’t had the season he was hoping for. However, it’s still been pretty good.
The junior has had to overcome a shoulder injury that limited his effectiveness earlier this season. That didn’t hold him back against Mississippi State as he looked completely recovered.
White caught three passes for 104 yards and a touchdown against the Bulldogs on Saturday night. The score came at an opportune time as the Vols were facing a fourth-and-six at the Mississippi State 34-yard-line.
“It was amazing getting into the end zone for the first time this season,” said White, who is second on the team with 25 catches and 304 yards this season.
White also had a new fan in Neyland Stadium to cheer him on as he welcomed a baby boy into the world during the offseason.
“It was amazing,” White said. I know he was watching, smiling and stuff like that in the stands, but it’s a great feeling just knowing that he is in the stands watching me. Each and every opportunity I get just to put a smile on his face. When I’m on the field, I do it for him.”
White has some new moves for his newborn. White admitted to pulling a defender closer to him in hopes of drawing a pass interference penalty when he’s well covered.
“I just go try to attack the ball,” White said with a smile. “…If the ball is underthrown, ‘Yeah, I’m gonna try to sell it out, try to get the flag.”
White’s young family would be proud of their papa’s ingenuity.
White will be doing it for his baby boy and the Vols on Saturday. Tennessee will travel to Athens, Ga. to take on the Bulldogs. With some newfound health, there should be nothing holding White back.
