LSU linebacker Devin White has been linked to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have the fifth overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, since mid-January when PewterReport.com had White going to the Bucs in its first mock draft. PewterReport.com followed up with White going to Tampa Bay again in its second mock draft in February.

In speaking with the Shreveport Times following his pro day at LSU on Friday, White said he hopes to go in the Top 5 after participating in individual linebacker drills during the workout, but resting on his testing numbers from the NFL Scouting Combine earlier in the month in Indianapolis, which included a 4.42 time in the 40-yard dash.

“It just shows my competitive nature, my hard work,” White said. “I’m not trying to do what anybody else did. I’m trying to create a lane for myself. I want to go in the top five.

“People know ‘Devin isn’t going to be on the board long, and we’re not going to find another Devin 10 years from now. He’s rare.’ Draft me, because when I hit free agency in five years, the price will go up. I’ll be looking for $100 million then.”

LSU LB Devin White – Photo by: Getty Images

That $100 million contract when he hits free agency might not be farfetched if he is a Top 10 draft pick and lives up to that billing by becoming a perennial Pro Bowler. C.J. Mosley, who was the 17th overall pick in 2014 by Baltimore, became a four-time Pro Bowler with the Ravens and just signed a five-year, $85 million deal with the New York Jets that will pay him $17 million per year.

Top linebacker money may reach $20 million per year over the next five years, which would align with White’s $100 million statement on Friday.

But is all the talk about money prior to being drafted a turnoff for NFL teams like the Bucs? White also revealed at his pro day press conference that he had signed on with Nike. Was that relevant, or is White just consumed with money?

Money can be a positive motivator or a detriment to incentive once people receive a lot of it. The Bucs had a formal interview with White at the NFL Scouting Combine and have plans to host him on an official visit prior to the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25 where they will undoubtedly probe him about his beliefs when it comes to money.

“It was a great meeting,” White said of meeting with the Bucs’ brass in Indianapolis. “We watched strictly film. They talked about Kwon [Alexander]. He was on the wall. They had pictures on the wall. They had great players on the wall. And I come in and they say, ‘What are you looking for?’ I said, ‘The best player on the team.’”

In White’s mind that was Alexander, who also played linebacker at LSU.

“They were telling me I remind them of him,” White said. “I got to be the beast out there. I got to be the energy. And that’s what he brings to that team. And I just told them, ‘Ya’ll got a great pick sitting there at five and if you can put two players there right beside each other? What can an offense do? And I think they really thought about it.”

White isn’t the only top inside linebacker the Bucs are scouting. PewterReport.com reports that Tampa Bay is also quite fond of Michigan All-American inside linebacker Devin Bush, who is projected to be a Top 20 pick in this year’s draft.

***UPDATED 8:00 p.m. – White clarified his remarks on Twitter on Saturday:

The 100 Million Talk Was Just A Joke Of Emphasisizing That A Team Should Draft Me Now, I Fully Understand That I Have To Prove My Worth On The Next Level & I’m 140% Committed To WINNING #GETLIVE40 🤠

— DEVIN WHITE 4️⃣0️⃣ (@DevinWhite__40) March 23, 2019