Pro Player Insiders caught up with offensive lineman Torian White of Hampton University at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. White first attended UCLA, starting every game before suffering an injury in his sophomore season and then transferring. Read on to find out more about White.
What are some of your goals in life outside of football?
Outside of football? That’s tough. I just want to be remembered as a good person. I think the better person I am, then the better respect that I can get all around.
What were your expectations of the NFLPA Bowl entering this week?
I expected it was going to be tough man. I knew we had a back to back schedule, a lot of things going on here. I knew the competition was going to be at a high level and I was going to have to bring it.
Have your expectations been met?
Absolutely. Absolutely. We’ve been doing some good work out here. I’ve been going against a lot of good guys. I’ve enjoyed my experience here thus far.
Why did you choose to play in NFLPA bowl?
This was a game I was invited to that I was real excited for once I received the invitation. I think I remember signing up online, thinking it would be my time to shine.
What are some of the conversations you have had with Jackie Slater (position coach) been like? What have you learned from him?
Oh man! Where do I start? The guy has taught me so much from day one. Before getting here, in the meetings, way before we even stepped on the field. He is full of information. I’ve tried to just absorb it, day by day, all of the things he’s been telling us over and over again. I’m trying to let everything sync in. He’s been teaching us everything from pass blocking to run blocking, foot movement to hand placement, having spatial awareness against a defender — all types of stuff.
What are some life lessons you learned from college?
I’ve learned a lot from college. Number one is being careful of who you stay around and pick your friends wisely. Another one is to be self aware; always know your surroundings. College is a big experience for a lot of people. It was a big experience for me coming in. There are a lot of things going on. I just needed a year to myself to experience it as a freshman and play everything by ear to be aware of what was going on.
What has been your favorite part?
My favorite part of college has been playing football. Absolutely football. There is no feeling like running out of that tunnel for the first time. But I get that same feeling every time. It’s go time. Every time I’m on that field, the lights are on and the show is starting.
Who or what has been the biggest influence on your life?
I would say my parents have been the biggest influence on my life. I owe everything to God. And right under God, it’s my parents. No one has ever supported me like my family has. They’ve taken care of me. I’ve followed in their footsteps. Although I’ve been a little stubborn at times but I think at the end of it all, they have done a great job.
What event has had the most impact on your life so far?
That’s tough to choose from. I can’t say that there has really been one event that seperates from the rest to change my life from all the others. It’s mostly a collection of everything I’ve been through that makes me who I am. I would say just being born in Inglewood. My parents have taken me out of a bad environment, from being held to a stereotype and given me the ability to shine and become the person who I am today. I feel like that small step has impacted my life and played out for me the way God has intended it.
What do you dislike the most out of society?
I guess the biggest disappointment from society would have to be the stigma that people can’t learn something. I feel that everybody can learn anything. When people hold themselves to kind of a barrier and think they can only learn so much or only be this type of a person, they hold themselves back from really growing. I think that hurts us. That influence comes from a lot of things, mainly the media.
What’s the lasting impression you want to leave on this world?
Like I said before, I just want to be remembered as a good person. I want to be remembered as a guy who people can trust, a guy people can go to for help, and a guy that taught something… in the end.
If there was just one reason a team decide to draft you, just one, what would it be?
Because I’m physical. They’d look at me as a physical guy and say “We want him.”
