The Colts were widely expected to target a linebacker early in the 2025 NFL Draft. Instead, they waited until the seventh round to address the position, selecting Hunter Wohler. A former safety at Wisconsin, Wohler is set to transition to linebacker at the pro level. Realistically, his impact in 2025 may be limited to special teams.
Given that, signing Kyzir White continues to make a lot of sense for Indianapolis. The question now is: will they be able to land the former fourth-round pick?
Looking Back at Kyzir White’s Career
Kyzir White’s football journey began at Lackawanna College, where he earned All-Northeast Football Conference Third Team honors in 2014. In his second season, he helped guide the team to a strong 8–2 record, showcasing early signs of his defensive potential.
White later transferred to West Virginia, where he quickly became a standout. In 2017, he earned Second-Team All-Big 12 recognition. Over two seasons with the Mountaineers, he tallied 152 total tackles (15 for loss), four sacks, and nine passes defended—impressive numbers that caught the attention of NFL scouts.
The Los Angeles Chargers selected White in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. His breakout season came in 2021, when he posted 144 tackles, along with two forced fumbles and two interceptions.
After four seasons in Los Angeles, White signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in March 2022. He played a key role in the Eagles’ Super Bowl run, recording four tackles in their narrow loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.
White then joined the Arizona Cardinals in 2023, starting all 17 games and producing 137 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, he combined for 227 tackles, 4.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, and 18 tackles for loss—proving he can still contribute at a high level.
Why the Colts Should Sign Kyzir White
The Colts suffered notable losses at linebacker this offseason. E.J. Speed signed with the Houston Texans, while Grant Stuard headed to the Detroit Lions. These departures left significant gaps in Indianapolis’ linebacker rotation.
Fortunately, the Colts still have Zaire Franklin, who is coming off a stellar 2024 campaign. The former Syracuse standout led the NFL with 173 tackles and earned his first Pro Bowl selection. He’ll anchor one linebacker spot—but the question remains: who will start alongside him?
Jaylon Carlies, a fifth-round pick in 2024, could potentially earn that role in 2025. Still, bringing in a seasoned veteran like Kyzir White would be a smart move. White could compete with Carlies for the starting job or provide crucial depth behind him.
White’s skill set aligns well with the Colts’ defensive needs. In 2024, Indianapolis ranked 29th in total defense. White’s experience, consistency, and physicality could bring stability to the second level of the defense. Whether starting alongside Franklin or rotating in, White offers leadership, strong tackling, and run-stopping ability—traits this defense badly needs.
While White may not be a superstar—if he were, he likely wouldn’t still be available—he remains a dependable and respected presence on the field and in the locker room. Signing him could help solidify the Colts’ linebacker corps without breaking the bank.
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