Knowing only 15 plays of the Viking offense, junior transfer Brian White almost led PSU to an improbable victory against Montana last Saturday. Like many transfer students, White’s primary worries were about classes, major requirements and fitting in. However, last Saturday he was forced to carry the pride of the school on his back and almost to a victory.
White comes to Portland State as a junior transfer from Colorado. His decision to leave Colorado earlier this year on Sept. 10 was due to a change in coaching staff and the Buffalo’s offensive system. Entering into fall he was tied at the top of the depth chart as quarterback. However, as the season got underway, the starting role was given to Colorado’s senior quarterback James Cox. After that White’s role progressed into one that he wasn’t comfortable with.
”They developed it into a kind of option/read kind of attack and at that point I thought it was time to find an opportunity to play somewhere else,” White said.
During PSU’s game on Sept. 16 against California, the team lost two quarterbacks. Senior quarterback Sawyer Smith endured a hip injury, and freshman backup Tygue Howland suffered a season-ending knee injury. With two injured quarterbacks, the recruitment of Brian White came at a much-needed point in time.
When it came to recruiting White, PSU knew they had a quality quarterback by talking to him on the phone. The coaching staff was well aware of his skills since he was heavily recruited out of high school.
”The thing that you look for in a quarterback is maturity,” head football coach Tim Walsh said.
All who were at the football game could see White has that in spades. In his first game as a Viking he showed his poise and confidence as he helped the PSU offense out of a 16-0 deficit. He was 7-of-16 passing with 142 yards and a 35-yard TD pass to Tremayne Kirkland. That connection helped lift the team heading into halftime down only 16-7. PSU ended the game in a heartbreaking defeat with the score 26-20.
Portland is a much different kind of environment than Boulder, Colo., home of the University of Colorado. Its urban setting brings everything near to campus and students are in the middle of it all. Colorado is more of a traditional school with the campus secluded from the rest of town. White said Portland is more diverse.
”It’s more of a city setting, which I like,” he said.
Playing at Portland State presented White with an excellent opportunity. At many other schools he wouldn’t have been eligible since classes had already started. At PSU he could enroll in classes, practice and play this season since classes didn’t start until late September.
“He saw we had a fifth-year senior quarterback, he saw that he was hurt and might get to play this year,” said Walsh. “He knows he’ll be the starter next year.”
”I had to take advantage of it,” said White.
As for the rest of this season, Sawyer Smith will remain the starter when he is healthy. He practiced Wednesday and Thursday and his ability to play will be a game-time decision. If he isn’t healthy enough to go, White will step in.
White has limited game experience at the college level. He did, however, play in the Champ Sports Bowl and was able to assemble the team’s only scoring drive of the game.
As a senior, White was a high school star getting several awards. Rival.com named him the No. 21 quarterback in the nation due to his outstanding stats. He completed 160-of-265 passes for 2,006 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior.
Besides football, White enjoys bass fishing, playing basketball, playing video games and surfing. He is reluctant to get too involved in activities because he doesn’t want to have too much on his plate. In the past he has been a high school varsity basketball player and track athlete.
”I’m a So Cal guy so I’m pretty laid back,” White said. “After football and school I just like to go home, relax and watch SportsCenter.”