Recordpub.com - OSU's White eyes future National Scholar Athlete aims for career in NFL

By Tom Nader

Record-Courier staff writer

When it comes to living your dreams, Ohio State fullback Stan White Jr. might as well be the captain for all young athletes looking to turn football into an opportunity to create a bright future.

White is only two short weeks removed from a demoralizing 41-14 loss to Florida in the BCS National Championship game, but that setback does not overshadow the remarkable career he put together for the Buckeyes both on the field and in the classroom.

White is the son of Stan White Sr., who was a football standout at Kent Roosevelt in the late 1960s before going on to a successful career in the NFL with the Baltimore Colts. He currently is a radio play-by-play analyst for the Baltimore Ravens.

"We are all incredibly proud of what Stan has been able to do up to this point," his dad said. "He has done very well for himself, and he is well on his way to some great things. Whether it be on the football field or in the business world, he has set himself up for success."

For White Jr., the championship-game loss to Florida ended his college career on the gridiron, but it did not shut the door on his aspirations and potential opportunities to play at the next level in the NFL.

"I absolutely love football, and I want to be able to play the game until somebody tells me I can't," White said. "I am going to give the NFL a shot. Playing at that highest level is something that started as a dream for me when I was young, and I have been fortunate enough to turn it into a goal."

The opportunity for White to play in the NFL will be based on what he did throughout his four years wearing the Scarlet and Gray, as well as a series of combine workouts that will be presented to him during the upcoming months before the NFL Draft, which will be held April 28-29.

Aside from his standout performances on the gridiron, White has also shined in the classroom and will graduate with a master's degree in finance.

White's classroom achievements allowed him to be honored as a First Team Academic All-American. He also received the Woody Hayes National Scholar Athlete award, which is given to six college athletes each year -- one male and one female -- from each of the divisions. White represented the male winner from Division I.

"College has been a life-changing experience for me," White said. "There have been tremendous highs for me, as well as tough times I had to work through, but I would definitely not trade or change anything. Not only have I enjoyed it, but more importantly it has allowed me to grow into a young man. I also have been able to create great relationships with teammates and classmates.

"The brotherhood that is created on our football team was amazing," White said. "When you walk into a locker room and see a group of 18- to 24-year-olds using the word love with each other, it shows how strong of a relationship that has been developed. The guys in that locker room become lifelong friends ... a group I would feel very comfortable calling in the future if I ever needed help with something, and I would expect any of my teammates to call me in a similar situation."