The Las Vegas Raiders added some more depth on the defensive side of the ball, announcing the signing of linebacker Devin White on Monday.

Here's a look at White's journey that has led him to the desert, and what the front office believes he can provide to the roster.

Eye of the Tiger

White was not only a star linebacker in high school, but an exceptional running back as well. The four-star prospect from Springhill, Louisiana, rushed for 5,031 yards and 81 touchdowns in his prep career. He took his talents to his home state powerhouse program, Louisiana State University, where he ultimately became the heart of the Tigers defense.

In 2018, he led the SEC in total tackles with 123 while also racking up 12 tackles for loss, six pass deflections, three sacks and three forced fumbles. For his efforts, he was named a consensus All-American and the recipient of the Butkus Award, given annually to the top linebacker in collegiate football.

Before the draft at the NFL Combine, he ran a 4.42 in the 40-yard dash – the fastest of any linebacker that participated in the event back in 2019.

From the Bayou to the [Tampa] Bay

White was selected with the fifth pick in the 2019 NFL Draft to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ironically the pick after the Raiders at No. 4.

In his second season in the league, he started 15 games en route to Tampa Bay winning its second Super Bowl title in franchise history. White accumulated 27 solo tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries in his three playoff games that season. Between 2020-2022, he amassed at least 100 total tackles each season.

In Las Vegas, he'll be reunited with his former quarterback Tom Brady, a minority owner for the Raiders, and General Manager John Spytek, who served as the director of player personnel for the Buccaneers when White was drafted.

"I still maintain that, other than Von Miller in the Super Bowl run in 2015, what Devin did in the 2020 playoffs is the best I've ever seen a defensive player play. It was incredible," Spytek said at Annual League Meetings. "You guys should go back and look at the stat lines he put up. ... Ten-plus tackles in every game, turnovers forced in every game and I know what he's capable of. And he's hit a little bit of a rough spot in his career here, but he's 27 and he's a good dude and it's good to give him a chance to maybe revitalize himself with Pete [Carroll]."

Returning to full form

2024 was an interesting season for White.

He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year contract last year, however didn't play a game for the team during his tenure. He was healthy scratch in the team's first four games before being released during their bye week. He then signed with the Houston Texans, appearing in seven games (one start) for the AFC South champions. He also played in their two playoff games, picking up three total tackles.

"[T]o wind up at this late time when we just locked in Devin White, what a story he's going to be and he's a fantastic addition to our team," Carroll said Monday.

Louisiana roots

White has family ties on the roster in his cousin Decamerion Richardson. The cornerback, going into his second season with the Raiders, is from Cullen, Louisiana – less than four miles south of White's hometown of Springhill.

The two cousins also share the bond of equestrianism. White has previously said he learned how to ride a horse before he learned how to ride a bike at the young age of five years old. He's also sought out horse riding as a form of therapy after his older brother, J'Marco "Jae Jae" Greenard, passed away in a car accident when White was 13 years old.

"When I'm with my horses, I'm in a good state of mind," White said. "I'm happy. There's no time to go into dark moments, no bad memories. You know, I haven't named a horse for Jae Jae just yet, but I will. It might be a race horse, or a horse just for me."

At one point while he was in college, the linebacker owned seven horses.