LAKE FOREST Ill. (CBS) Standing before the Chicago crowd at the NFL Draft Kevin White couldn t hide his smile.
The West Virginia receiver was drafted by Chicago with the seventh overall pick in the NFL Draft and the Bears fans in attendance rained down cheers for their favorite team s selection.
It s great White said of Chicago. I love it. It s second to none.
In his first NFL Draft as a general manager Ryan Pace admitted that everything went as planned for the Bears selection. When White came up to the board there was high fiving and fist pumping.
Pace managed to match the excitement of White when addressing reporters.
We couldn t be more thrilled right now he said.
White 22 is a 6 foot 4 215 pound wideout who was clocked at 4.35 in the 40 yard dash at the NFL Combine. In 2014 White was a first team All American by several outlets a second team All American by the Associated Press and a finalist or the Biletnekoff Award given to college football s top receiver.
In Chicago White will pair up with Alshon Jeffery as an outside receiver while the newly added Eddie Royal will work in the slot. So what can be expected of White with the Bears
This guy first of all after the catch is dynamic Pace said. He s got great hands he s strong he s big he can run. He checks all the boxes. I don t want expectations on him right now but we re thrilled about this and how offensive coordinator Adam Gase will integrate him into the offense. There are a lot of creative things we can do with him. I m excited.
Added White I want to work earn my stripes and help the team win.
Receiver was added to the Bears many needs after Chicago traded away Brandon Marshall in March. With White Pace has replaced Marshall with an impact player.
Reports prior to the first pick on Thursday evening suggested the Bears were in conversation with Tennessee to move up and select quarterback Marcus Mariota with the second pick. Pace downplayed those talks while standing by his commitment to Jay Cutler.
In my mind we just got Jay another dynamic weapon said Pace. That s what I m excited about. I hope right now he s fired up because we just gave him another powerful weapon. With this receiving core this only adds to Jay s ability to distribute the ball.
Before transferring to West Virginia White played two years of junior college football at Lackawanna College in Scranton Pa. He was seen as a diamond in the rough entering the Mountaineers program with his stock flying up after a stellar 2014 season.
In 2014 with West Virginia White posted 109 receptions for 1 447 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Every time I ve gotten an opportunity I ve made the most of it White said.
The next opportunity for White comes in Chicago the site of his draft selection and home of his new team the Bears. He will be formally introduced on Friday at Halas Hall.
Until then White can keep smiling in his new home of Chicago.
Follow Chris on Twitter CEmma670.
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