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When new Mississippi State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz told linebacker Chris White before this season he had a chance to win the Butkus Award, the senior laughed.
But Diaz wasn't joking. In his mind, he saw an elite Southeastern Conference athlete.
''I'm a simple guy when it comes to evaluating linebackers,'' Diaz said. ''I like them to run fast and hit hard. Chris White can run fast, he is tough as nails, and he will bring it.''
White, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound middle linebacker, was crucial in the Bulldogs' 10-7 victory over No. 22 Florida on Saturday, making 11 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss and 2.5 sacks to earn SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Though he hasn't received much national recognition and consideration for the Butkus Award still is a bit far-fetched, White quietly has been one of the SEC's most productive players, ranking second with 12 tackles for a loss and five sacks.
No. 24 Mississippi State (4-2) will play its first game as a ranked team in more than nine years on Saturday, when it hosts UAB (2-4) at Scott Field.
UAB coach Neil Callaway said preparing for the Bulldogs' defense, which is giving up just 18 points per game, would be a huge challenge.
''Their defensive front seven is about as good as you want to see,'' he said. ''They are all physical, and they can all run. They do a great job scheme-wise. They are constantly changing and causing recognition problems in trying to confuse (their opponents).''
White came to Mississippi State last season after two years at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where he was an All-American. But he wasn't heavily recruited, signing with the Bulldogs over South Florida and a few other offers from non-BCS programs.
He was a pleasant surprise during his first season with the Bulldogs, starting all 12 games at outside linebacker and ranking third on the team with 75 tackles. But when Diaz arrived on campus, he and coach Dan Mullen saw an athlete who was an ideal fit to move into the middle linebacker role.
''It's a position he's grown into,'' Mullen said. ''I think you're seeing that comfort come up. He is a very talented player. When he sees things, he can get to the ball in a hurry and disrupt plays.''
White said most of his playmaking ability comes from natural instincts, but Diaz's blitz-heavy schemes have been a big reason for the success.
''He showed a lot of confidence in me and has really given the defense a chance to make plays,'' White said. ''The linebackers will blitz 10 to 15 times most games, which is way more than last season. It's given us more of a chance to make big plays - tackles in the backfield and sacks - and right now we're executing.''
That's helped Mississippi State put together a four-game winning streak, which vaulted the program into the national rankings for the first time since 2001. The Bulldogs are also one victory away from bowl eligibility for the first time since 2007, when they beat Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl.
Even though upcoming home games against UAB and Kentucky appear quite winnable, White said he and his teammates are doing a good job of staying grounded.
''Everything we've done the past couple days has been about being humble and hungry,'' White said. ''That's the reason we've made it this far and that's the only way we'll keep having success. We don't want to be one of those teams that gets blindsided and leaves Saturday with a sick feeling.''
