Kyzir Rasim White Biography
Kyzir Rasim White is an American professional football linebacker born on March 24, 1996, in Macungie, Pennsylvania. He played college football at Lackawanna College and West Virginia University, where he earned Second-Team All-Big 12 honors during his senior season. White was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Throughout his NFL career, he has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Arizona Cardinals, establishing himself as a reliable and instinctive linebacker with a knack for making impactful plays.
Early Life and Background
White grew up in Macungie, Pennsylvania, where he attended Emmaus High School. Playing in the East Penn Conference, one of Pennsylvania’s most competitive high school leagues, White quickly distinguished himself as a top prospect. His performance on the field garnered attention from MaxPreps and other recruiting services that highlighted him among the region’s top high school players. His exceptional athleticism and football instincts were evident early in his development.
College Path to Football
After graduating from Emmaus High School, White began his collegiate career at Lackawanna College, a junior college in Pennsylvania. He spent two seasons as a safety for the Lackawanna Falcons, refining his skills and attracting attention from major college programs. His standout play led to scholarship offers from several Division I schools, and he ultimately chose West Virginia University over schools including Pittsburgh, Arizona State, Louisville, and Illinois.
At West Virginia, White transitioned to the spur position, a hybrid linebacker-safety role that suited his skill set perfectly. Over two seasons as a starter, he recorded 152 total tackles, 4 sacks, 3 interceptions, 9 passes defended, and 4 forced fumbles in 25 career starts. His 2017 senior season was particularly impressive, as he accumulated 94 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 sack, 7 pass breakups, and 3 interceptions, earning Second-Team All-Big 12 recognition.
Kyzir Rasim White Career
Los Angeles Chargers (2018–2021)
In the 2018 NFL Draft, White was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth round with the 119th overall pick. He signed a four-year contract worth $3.11 million, including a $654,441 signing bonus. Chargers coaches were excited about his potential, with one assistant noting his speed, attitude, explosiveness, and football instincts. During rookie minicamp, the coaching staff announced plans to move White from safety to linebacker, a transition he handled smoothly.
White competed for the starting weakside linebacker job throughout training camp. Although initially named backup to Jatavis Brown, coaches elevated him to the starting lineup just before the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. He made his professional debut and first career start on September 9, 2018, recording six combined tackles in the loss. His first career interception came in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills, picking off a pass from rookie quarterback Josh Allen. A knee injury suffered in Week 3 required minor surgery and sidelined him for several games, and he was ultimately placed on injured reserve in November.
White continued his development with the Chargers over subsequent seasons. He recorded an interception against Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco during the 2019 season and dealt with time on the COVID-19 list and injuries during the 2020 campaign. By the 2021 season, White had established himself as the Chargers’ starting linebacker, finishing as the team’s leading tackler with 144 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, three passes defensed, and two interceptions.
Philadelphia Eagles (2022)
On March 26, 2022, White signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles worth up to $5 million. He joined a defense that would prove to be one of the league’s best that season. White’s experience and versatility added valuable depth to the Eagles’ linebacker corps. The highlight of his season came when he and the Eagles advanced to Super Bowl LVII, where they faced the Kansas City Chiefs. White recorded four tackles in the championship game, a 38-35 loss for Philadelphia.
Arizona Cardinals (2023–2024)
White signed with the Arizona Cardinals on March 15, 2023, agreeing to a two-year contract. He made an immediate impact in his first season, starting 11 games and leading the team with 90 tackles while also contributing 2 sacks, 3 passes defensed, and 1 interception. His leadership and production helped stabilize the Cardinals’ defense.
In the 2024 season, White continued his strong play, appearing in 17 games and finishing second on the team with 137 tackles. He also recorded 2.5 sacks, 3 passes defensed, and 1 interception, demonstrating his consistent ability to affect games in multiple ways.
Playing Style and Strengths
White is known for his exceptional instincts and football IQ, allowing him to read plays quickly and make decisive movements. His experience playing both safety and linebacker gives him versatility in coverage and against the run. He combines speed, athleticism, and physicality to fulfill his responsibilities effectively. His ability to drop into coverage or attack the line of scrimmage makes him a valuable asset in various defensive schemes.
Notable Career Statistics
Through the 2024 season, White has accumulated 618 career total tackles, 7.5 sacks, 6 interceptions, 23 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. These numbers reflect his consistent ability to be around the ball and make plays throughout his NFL career.
Kyzir Rasim White Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Football runs deep in the White family. Kyzir has two brothers, Kevin and Ka’Raun, both of whom also played college football at Lackawanna before transferring to West Virginia. His older brother Kevin White was a highly decorated prospect in his own right, drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Kevin later played for the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers, establishing a notable NFL presence in the family. This football legacy provided Kyzir with a strong foundation and mentorship as he developed his own path in the sport.
2024 Season Performance
The 2024 season represented one of White’s most productive campaigns as a professional. Appearing in 17 games with 16 starts, he established himself as a cornerstone of the Cardinals’ defense. His 137 tackles ranked second on the team and demonstrated his continued reliability in stopping the run and making tackles in space. The 2.5 sacks he recorded showed his ability to pressure quarterbacks, while his contributions in coverage with 3 pass deflections and 1 interception rounded out a multi-faceted performance.
White’s consistency week to week provided stability for a Cardinals team that underwent various challenges during the season. His partnership with the defensive coaching staff and his ability to communicate pre-snap checks helped the defense function effectively. Looking ahead, White’s proven track record and versatile skill set position him as an important veteran presence for any team seeking defensive leadership and production at the linebacker position.