The Recruiting Guy

Arkansas ties, Henry's friendship enticing to PA's White

NWA Democrat-Gazette/BEN GOFF @NWABENGOFF John David White, Pulaski Academy wide receiver, runs in a touchdown Friday, Aug. 24, 2018, during the game against Springdale Har-Ber at Wildcat Stadium in Springdale.

Pulaski Academy senior John David White’s family ties to the University of Arkansas run deep, and he hopes to continue the tradition.

His great-grandfather Harold “Greasy” Rees played football for the Razorbacks; his grandfather John Rees played receiver for the Hogs from 1968-70, including the Big Shootout against Texas in 1969; and his uncle John Aaron Rees played from 2005-2008.

His father, David, played golf for the Razorbacks in the early 1990s.

“My mom, my dad, all of my aunts and uncles, they all went to Fayetteville,” White said.

White (5-11, 175) has scholarship offers from Tennessee-Martin, Air Force, Ouachita Baptist and a preferred walk-on offer from Kentucky while drawing interest from Arkansas and others.

He is communicating with tight ends coach Barry Lunney Jr. and hopes to have the opportunity to join his best friend and Arkansas tight end commitment Hudson Henry in Fayetteville.

“Just talking back and forth about games and wishing me luck before the game,” White said of his talks with Lunney. “Just talking about me and Hud in general and how good of friends we are in study sessions.”

One of the better playmaking receivers in the state, White has recorded 43 receptions for 647 yards and 10 touchdowns in seven games this season. He earned his preferred walk-on offer from the Kentucky after running an electronic time of 4.50 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the Wildcats' camp over the summer.

White and Henry’s friendship comes from their love of football and people.

“We have the same exact same personality,” White said. “We’re people-pleasers. We love to do things right. The love we have for football has brought us closer together. We love the same things. We love movies; we love working out together. That’s what we do on weekends. We love running hills, and we love being with other people.”

Bruins Coach Kevin Kelley is high on White's talent and work ethic.

"JD is an awesome player and kid," Kelley said. "A really strong kid for his size. He is smart and really focuses on the mental part of the game as well. He works tremendously hard and is a playmaker."

Being able to play college football with Henry would be a huge blessing to White.

“It would just be fun to be able to play with my best friend,” White said. “I just have to keep working and hopefully things will fall into place. And God has me, so I just have to rely on his plan for me.”

White has also recorded a 3.93 second time in the pro-shuttle and a 36.6-inch vertical. He carries a 4.0 grade point average at a school that has a demanding academic reputation.

“I’m going to go into business for commercial real estate,” he said.