Devin White attended North Webster High School in Springhill, LA where he was a stand out linebacker and running back. White was a controversial recruit out of high school, having multiple run-ins with police. In November 2015, he and his teammate Keuntra Gipson were arrested for having consensual sex with a 14-year-old, a misdemeanor in Louisiana. One month later, White was arrested for misdemeanor charges of “careless operation of a motor vehicle and flight from an officer.” Because of his legal situation, White was dismissed from the 2015 Under Armour All-America Game. Despite these controversies, he was still able to sign with LSU to play football.
College career
In his sophomore season at LSU, White led the SEC in tackles with 133 total, the 4th most tackles in a single season in school history. He also became the first player in SEC history to be named Defensive Player of the week 4 times in the same season. Following his junior year, White decided to forego his senior year and enter the 2019 NFL Draft.
White was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round with the fifth overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft. His selection made him the highest drafted LSU Tigers defensive player since Patrick Peterson in 2011, as well as the highest drafted linebacker in school history. On July 20, 2019, the Buccaneers signed White to a fully guaranteed, 4-year $29.32 million contract that included a signing bonus of $19.34 million.
2019 season: Rookie year
White made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers. In the game, White made 6 tackles in the 31–17 loss. In Week 2, during a 20–14 win over the Carolina Panthers, White sprained his MCL which resulted in him missing the next 3 games. In Week 5 against the Panthers, White recorded a team high 9 tackles in the 37–26 loss. In Week 9 against the Seattle Seahawks, White recorded a team high 12 tackles, half a sack on Russell Wilson, and forced two fumbles on running back Chris Carson, one of which that was recovered by teammate Jordan Whitehead in the 40–34 overtime loss. In Week 11 against the New Orleans Saints, White recorded a team high 13 tackles in the 34–17 loss. In Week 12, during a 35–22 win against the Atlanta Falcons, White recorded 8 tackles and sacked Matt Ryan twice, the first multi-sack game of his career. In Week 13, during a 28–11 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, White had a team high 7 tackles, his first career interception off a pass thrown by Nick Foles, and recovered a strip sack by teammate Shaquil Barrett on Foles for a touchdown. As a result of White's strong play he was named NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month. In Week 14, during a 38–35 win over the Indianapolis Colts, White made 5 tackles and a forced fumble on running back Nyheim Hines which was recovered by teammate Mike Edwards. In Week 15, during a 38–17 win against the Detroit Lions, White had 3 tackles and recovered a forced fumble by teammate Lavonte David. In Week 17, during a 28–22 overtime loss to the Falcons, White had 5 tackles and recovered a strip sack by teammate Jason Pierre-Paul, returning it 91 yards for a touchdown. As a result of White's strong play he was named the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month. White finished his rookie season with 91 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, 3 pass deflections, 1 interception, 3 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, and 2 fumble return touchdowns.
