Kobay White wanted a change.
During his 3 1/2 seasons at Boston College, he hauled down 97 passes for 1,434 yards and 10 touchdowns. He led the Eagles in receptions in 2019 (29 for 460 yards) and 2018 (33-526) and was second in 2017 (34-423).
But when the preseason All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection missed the 2020 season due to knee surgery and played in only four games a year ago, catching one pass for 25 yards, he was ready to move on.
His knee still wasn’t 100 percent so he knew he wasn’t going to get much playing time and he didn’t want his final year of eligibility to be a forgettable one.
Had he played in one more game, his college career would have been over.
“That’s not how I wanted it to end. I didn’t want to waste that last season,” said White, who was able to obtain a medical redshirt and retain one year of eligibility.
He had an assistant coach at BC and a former high school teammate who had been at UMaine and they filled him in on the program. He also had a BC teammate familiar with it.
White said once he met first-year head coach Jordan Stevens, wide receivers coach-recruiting coordinator Justin Flores and sports performance coach Trey Hall, “it was a no-brainer.”
White will likely be a key component for UMaine, and will start on Saturday night when the Black Bears open their season at the University of New Mexico. He comes from an ACC program in BC that has played in seven bowl games since 2013.
“I am hoping to come in here and help Coach Stevens build the program up. I want to leave the program in better shape than it was before I got here,” said the 5-foot-11, 198-pound native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
He was aware that All-Colonial Athletic Association receivers Devin Young and Andre Miller from last year’s 6-5 team (4-4 in the CAA) had to be replaced.
“That definitely played into my decision. But I was going to come in and work hard and compete for the job anyway. That’s who I am. I’ve never been handed anything. If you still have the passion and the effort is still there, it is going to pay off in some way, shape or form,” said the three-time Pennsylvania AAA All-State player.
Getting an opportunity to play with senior quarterback Joe Fagnano was another factor in his decision.
“He is a real good quarterback. I’m surprised to see a quarterback this good at this level,” he said. “I have a good connection with him as he does with all the wide receivers and tight ends. He knows what he is doing out there. He is a leader and we just all follow suit.”
White has impressed his coaches and teammates.
“His numbers at BC are impressive,” Fagnano said. “He is a heckuva’ athlete. He understands the game and what we’re trying to do on offense. He is a good route-runner and he has good hands. I can’t say enough good things about him.”
Sophomore safety Shakur Smalls goes up against White in practice and predicted that “he’s probably going to be the best receiver we’re going to see all year.”
Stevens said he has the ability “to go up and get the ball” and he has a great attitude.
“He is a very mature player,” said the UMaine head coach. “He has the right attitude and you can coach him. He is willing to put the work in.”
White has set some personal goals for himself but he said they take a back seat to team success.
“It’s all about the team. If I work hard and do everything I’m supposed to do, everything will take care of itself,” he said.
Senior wide receiver Zavier Scott said in addition to what White brings on the field, he also brings a lot off the field by being a great teammate and leader.
“I haven’t purposely stepped into a leadership role. But I’ve played a lot of football and I bring energy. I lead by example and I can also be a vocal leader from the stuff I’ve learned through my time playing football,” White said.
He’s already looking forward to Sept. 17, when UMaine will play at Boston College.
“I’d be lying to say it’s not on my mind a little bit. I’m still good friends with a lot of the guys,” he said. “It will be fun to play my boys.”
