March 4, 2000

Jamel White, the record-setting, All-American running back from The University of South Dakota, is featured on the front page of www.NFL.com this weekend. White, who set 11 school records this past football season for the Coyotes, is featured as part of the "Dear Diary" section of the NFL.com web site. He is featured with Tim Rattay, a record setting quarterback at Louisana Tech. This diary segment is the first in a series of diary segments that White and Rattay will contribute to NFL.com. This version of the "Dear Diary" section will be featured throughout the weekend on NFL.com. "While I was at the University of Iowa, we have six or seven running backs in the 90's who were drafted by NFL teams and I certainly feel that Jamel is on the same level as those players. He has all the characteristics - speed, hands and durability to make it," said Coyote head football coach John Austin. "It is an honor that NFL.com recognizes him as one of the top backs in the country. We are excited and we hope that he gets the opportunity (to play in the NFL) that he deserves," said Austin. On their web site, NFL.com writes: "While QB Tim Rattay and RB Jamel White may not be among the big-name prospects available in April's draft, they have big hopes just the same. In their first diary installments for NFL.com, Louisiana Tech's Rattay lets fans in on his scouting combine experience, while White writes about his decision to attend Division II South Dakota." White had a big season after a 1998 season campaign, which saw him net only 424 yards rushing in the Coyotes' wing-T offense. So, why the big turnaround? The answer was a new beginning under first-year USD head coach John Austin. "They said I didn't look that good in the wing-T and they needed a good back in the new offense they were running," said White, a 5-10, 210-pound tailback from Palmdale, CA. "I took that as a challenge and it worked out for me." In South Dakota's season opener with Montana, White rushed or 101 yards and he continued the pace for the rest of the campaign. His assault on the Coyote record-book almost seemed too easy. He finished with an astonishing total of 1,807 yards rushing which bettered the old mark by 480 yards. White complimented his ability to run the football with great hands to catch the ball. With 640 yards on 43 receptions, White set the record for most yards receiving by a Coyote running back. His running and receiving numbers meant 2,447 all-purpose yards - a whopping 793 yards more than the old record. NFL.com also writes: "Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, it is often easier to find trouble than success. But South Dakota running back Jamel White has taken advantage of the few opportunities that have come his way. From a junior college football star, to a 56th-round pick of baseball's Seattle Mariners, and back to the college gridiron, White now finds himself waiting to hear his name called in April's NFL Draft." In his diary segment, White writes: "Speed and strength have always been the attribute that people noticed about me first. I have always been faster and stronger than my competitors at any level. Speed and strength, it seems, are the secrets to success in the world of professional sports. Hopefully, this holds true with my desire to play in the National Football League. Never did I imagine that having the ability to run fast would take me where I have been. Although I had never played baseball at any level, the Seattle Mariners drafted me simply because I ran 60 yards in 6.2 seconds. Now, I pray I'll be fortunate enough to be drafted into the NFL for that same reason. This time, however, I know I can play the game that is so close to being my future. Shortly after my professional baseball career began, I started to miss playing football. That is when I started looking into different colleges. I was young and naive and I didn't know what complications could develop as a result of signing the contract with the Mariners. I learned that the only way to get out of this contract was to attend a university. I chose the University of South Dakota. When I first arrived at USD, the team was running a Wing-T offense that used me as a fullback. This was far from ideal for a tailback trying to do what comes natural. The following season, however, a new coaching staff arrived and with them came a new philosophy. I was going to be given my one and only chance to run in a pro-style offense with multiple formations. I was moved to tailback. Finally, the change I had been waiting for! With the help and support of my team members, I broke 11 USD records and made numerous all-star teams. These stats helped me earn an invite to the Snow Bowl, where I started to be noticed by NFL scouts. I had a chance to talk to some of them and it was a very good experience for me. I have never had a whole bunch of attention, so I was just being myself. After the Snow Bowl, I spoke with a number of NFL scouts. The first to visit campus was Scott Studwell, the Minnesota Vikings' director of college scouting. He was straightforward, telling me everything I need to know. It still seems strange when any of the USD coaches say `Jamel, the Lions, Steelers, Vikings, Broncos, Eagles, etc. called today.' This is very flattering and hopefully it will develop into a long NFL career. I understand teams look for certain things they need to help them win. And I believe that, if given a chance, I could help any team. Just because I'm not a big-name running back who went to a Division I school, I am still a football player and I believe that I can play with the best of them. Right now, I am preparing myself for the weeks to come so when a scout does come to my school to test me, I can blow his mind! Basically, I want to show that just because I am at a Division II school doesn't mean that I can't outrun, outhustle or outplay any Division I player. I understand that other running backs have done the necessary things to make it to the next level but I have too. I respect and even envy some running backs, but I also realize that it is hard for a small-school player to make it to the next level. I will do whatever is necessary to make it to that level. I know that means hard work! "

For more information, call John Austin, (605) 677-5309 or contact Jamel White through the USD Sports Information Office, (605) 677-5927.