UNLV Rebels star WR Ricky White III is one of the first Group of Five names to know in the 2025 NFL Draft. His versatility and unique skill set should make him a trendy Day 2 name for a multitude of NFL franchises.
Our Ricky White III scouting report dives into everything you need to know about one of the Group of Five’s most dangerous receivers.
Ricky White III Scouting Report
Size: 6’1″, 190 pounds (Unverified)
Key Stat: One of two draft-eligible receivers with > 2.75 yards per route run, > 20 forced missed tackles, and an average depth of target > 10.0 (Tetairoa McMillan)
Projected Role: Versatile Wide Receiver and Ace Special Teamer
Also See: Top 300 Prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft
Strengths:
- Experience in slot and out wide
- Special teams wizard.
- Smooth route-runner to all levels of the field.
- Stems routes well, quick out of breaks at the top of routes
- Good feel against zone coverage.
- Can create separation against off-man coverage.
- Shifty after catch
- High-level production over the middle of the field.
- Shows extensive route tree on film.
- Above average acceleration off the line, after the catch
Areas to Improve:
- Can struggle against press man coverage.
- Lacks one elite trait. Does many things well, doesn’t stand out in any particular area.
- Seven drops in 2024, 24 in four seasons
- Majority of production in Brennan Marion’s “Go-Go” offense
- Slighter frame, average length.
- Lacks elite top-end speed.
- Some manufactured touches to inflate reception numbers.
Ceiling: Top-end WR2
Floor: Productive special teamer
Ricky White III 2025 NFL Draft Outlook
White’s production and versatility give him one of the higher floors among the 2025 NFL Draft receiver class, making him one of the safest picks among the mid-round wideouts.
That floor is raised even higher by his unmatched production on special teams. The Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year had more blocked punts (4) than every FBS team in 2024, returning two blocked punts for touchdowns.
His lack of elite speed and average athletic profile do limit his upside a bit. However, his acceleration and short-area quickness are above average and he grew as a route-runner throughout his career.
Also See: College Coaching Carousel
I don’t think the learning curve will be as steep for White as some other mid-round receivers because of his extensive route tree and production at all levels of the field. White was targeted at least 18 times as a senior at each of the following distances down the field: behind the line of scrimmage, 0-9 yards, 10-19 yards, and 20-plus yards.
His production over the middle of the field suggest a route-running ability that should translate.
Bottom Line: Ricky White’s high floor will be appealing to a wide variety of teams and schemes. He does several things well, led by his special teams production and route-running ability, both of which help raise his floor and make him a safer pick.
At worst, he’s an instant-impact special teams player who should can back-up multiple receiver positions. While his lack of elite speed and size limit a bit of the upside, his best case scenario is that his route-running and short-area quickness translate and he becomes an elite second option.
Draft Projection: Late Round 2-Round 3
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