Ricky White returning to UNLV for senior year

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023 | 12:46 p.m.

Ricky White’s assault on the UNLV record book will continue for another year.

After shattering the program’s all-time mark in receiving yards in 2023, the junior wideout confirmed on Sunday he intends to return to college for his senior season.

Speaking at media day ahead of the Guaranteed Rate Bowl, White said he is going to pass on the NFL Draft and focus on improving his stock in 2024.

“I definitely want to stay another year,” White said. “I want to develop here. I have a great QB and great coaches around me to help me grow, and a great team, also. I’m definitely going to stay another year, develop, and show the scouts what they want to see.”

White showed plenty this season. Working as the No. 1 receiver in Brennan Marion’s go-go offense, White has caught 81 passes for 1,386 yards and seven touchdowns. He has gone over 100 yards in seven games, including five of the last six contests as UNLV finished 9-3 in the regular season to earn a spot in the Mountain West championship contest.

White, a Georgia native, committed to Michigan State as a 4-star recruit out of high school, then played his freshman year with the Spartans, posting 10 catches for 223 yards. He sat out the 2021 season, then transferred to UNLV. As a sophomore with the Scarlet and Gray, he pulled down 51 passes for 619 yards.

The switch to the go-go offense has been a boon for White, who thrives in the deep and intermediate areas of the field.

“[The go-go] put me in a certain situation to make plays,” White said. “I’m thankful for the opportunity and I want to keep making plays for my team.”

White was chosen first-team All-Mountain West this year and appeared on a variety of All-American teams, including a first-team nod from the Action Network and a third-team spot on the USA Today team.

A sampling of NFL mock drafts project the 6-foot-1, 190-pound White as a Day 3 pick (Rounds 4-7) if he were to declare for the 2024 draft. Another year of big-time production in the go-go could make him more attractive to pro scouts.

The good news for White is that it appears the go-go will be back in full force next year. Marion interviewed for several head-coaching jobs in the past few weeks, but with those jobs now filled the star offensive coordinator appears set to return to UNLV for another round.

White said Marion’s return made him feel better about putting in another college season.

“Coach Marion is staying here, so I’m very comfortable with that decision,” he said. “I feel like we’ve got unfinished business.”

One player who will be happy to have White back again is freshman quarterback Jayden Maiava. After taking over the job in Week 3, Maiava developed a strong rapport with his No. 1 wideout. Of Maiava’s 200 completions, White has been on the receiving end of 76. White has also caught seven of Maiava’s 14 touchdown passes.

Expect Maiava to target White early and often against Kansas on Tuesday, and again throughout the 2024 campaign.

“Throwing to Ricky White, you can throw it to him wherever he is, he’s going to catch it,” Maiava said. “He’s going to come down with it no matter who is across from him.”

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.