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2025 NFL Draft Profile: WR Ricky White, UNLV

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Matthew Brown | Last updated Apr 12, 2025 4:56 PM ET

Ricky White III was the most productive UNLV receiver in program history. Not only did he set receiving records, he also led the country in blocked punts on special teams. Here is a 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report on one of the most impactful college football playmakers in recent memory.

More 2025 NFL Draft Profiles

Overview, Film Analysis, And 2025 Scouting Report Of UNLV WR Ricky White III

Measurables:

6’ 1”
184 lbs

2025 NFL Combine Results:

40-Yard Dash: 4.61 seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.55 seconds
Vertical Jump: 36”
Broad Jump: 10’ 3”

Player Background:

Ricky White III was ranked as a three-star recruit and within the top 100 at his position coming out of Marietta High School in the state of Georgia. He was extended offers by Cincinnati, Louisville, and others before ultimately committing to the Michigan State Spartans during the 2020 recruiting cycle.

Although he only played in three games as a freshman, White set a Spartans freshman record for receiving yards in a game. He posted 196 yards and a touchdown on eight receptions against the Michigan Wolverines which helped lead his team to a rivalry win. After that performance, he appeared in just one game for the rest of the season. This led White to enter the transfer portal at the end of the 2021 campaign before landing with the UNLV Rebels.

White immediately made an impact on offense for the Rebels. In his first season, he accumulated 414 yards and four touchdowns on just 29 receptions. Over the next two seasons, he was a two-time First-Team All-Mountain West receiver. His combined 2,355 yards, 18 touchdowns and 159 receptions broke numerous program records.

Accolades:

2025 East-West Shrine Bowl Participant
Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year (2024)
First Team All-Mountain West (2023, 2024)
Third Team AP All-American (2023)
Program record holder for receiving yards in a single season (2023)

Best Tools/Pros:

Ricky White III was asked to make an impact in a number of ways at UNLV. He was never just a slot or outside specific receiver instead, he split time between both. The biggest impact he made this past season was on special teams. He blocked four punts, scored a touchdown as a returner and consistently lined up at gunner. Any wide receiver prospect with the kind of experience and production White has in different alignments on both offense and special teams is huge for their overall profile.

Ridiculous stat alert

UNLV star receiver Ricky White III now has 3 blocked punts BY HIMSELF this season.

That is more than any other TEAM in the FBS (2). pic.twitter.com/anZHGbtPfi

— Logan Reever (@loganreever) October 20, 2024

Strictly as a receiver, White brings a lot of value against zone coverage. He has the vision to work himself into the openings to give the quarterback an open receiver and understands how to take defenders away from their assigned zone. After the catch, White isn’t the most athletic player but he is incredibly twitchy. He transitions to a ball carrier quickly while bending and twisting around would-be tacklers. It is rare to see him dropped for a loss or not pick up additional yardage that is his for the taking.

Tools to Improve/Cons:

Playing through physicality is a major concern for Ricky White III. With such a small frame he struggles as a blocker in the run game. He can’t consistently anchor or latch onto his assignment for an extended period of time. Bigger defenders in the secondary are smart and know that White doesn’t bode well against contact. They bump him in press coverage, get into his frame while fighting in man coverage and force him to use his smaller build to make the catch.

White could benefit from generating more explosion in his release and at the breaks throughout his routes. There are too many instances where his routes are rounded and with his lack of explosion, this allows defenders to make a play on the ball. When working down the field, White has surprising vertical speed but his inabilities in contested catch situations aren’t a good complementary tool. He doesn’t extend beyond his frame to make a play on the ball and tries to catch the ball with his small frame instead.

Potential Team Fits:

NFL Projection:

Ricky White III will bring incredible versatility and athleticism after the catch to any NFL roster. While his special team prowess and production are his best traits, front offices will see an offensive weapon capable of moving all around the field pre-snap. White has elite playmaking upside paired with the potential to be an All-Pro on special teams. His struggles against physicality and poor hands will limit his usage rate on offense. However, White’s profile as a late-round receiver who can contribute as a gunner, returner or rusher on special teams is exciting.