Sophomore White Earns Rare Honor

The prominent role he would have had anyway now comes with another push into the spotlight, one that may be a formality but still has a great deal of meaning.

Sophomore Tony White, a starting inside linebacker, has been selected as a captain for Saturday’s game at Arizona, which is an indication of his emergence on the defense. Coach Bob Toledo, in announcing that White had been chosen, along with Kris Farris, to join season-long choices Larry Atkins and Cade McNown, said he can’t recall having ever giving the honor to a second-year player.

“It’s crazy, having a sophomore as captain, but he’s one of our better leaders in defense,” Toledo said, adding, “It’s good news-bad news. We don’t have a lot of leaders back there.”

White is tied for third on the team in tackles, has an interception, and may end up becoming a leader in more ways than one, since Ramogi Huma is questionable for Saturday because of a hip injury. That means White may play alongside two inside linebackers with even less experience, projected starter Ryan Nece, a freshman, and true freshman Robert Thomas.

“I’m still just in awe from when he told me,” White said of Toledo’s announcement. “It means that much to me.”

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Huma isn’t the only prominent linebacker whose availability is a concern. Michael Wiley, in the opening lineup for Game 1, will likely be forced out for the third consecutive week because of injury.

A sprained back did him in against Houston, then he suffered a sprained ankle last Saturday during pregame warmups at the Rose Bowl, missing the conference opener against Washington State. He probably will miss the showdown with Arizona as well. If so, Santi Hall will take his place.