Only two players had more tackles than Detroit linebacker Jack Campbell (166) last season, and one of them was linebacker Devin White (174). It marked a career-high for White, who spent 2025 as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders following one year with the Houston Texans. Prior to his time in Houston, White played five seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he became a super bowl champion in 2021.
When the Bucs parted ways with White following the 2023 season, his tackle total had regressed for three straight seasons. The Texans likely thought he had declined, as he played just seven games for them in a backup role. However, something clicked when he put the black and silver on.
The Raiders went 3-14 last season, and playoff contention seems to be at least a few years away. Coming off the best season of his career at 28 years old, White said he couldn't bear so much losing.
"I never had a losing season in my career since I was a kid, so that was very hard," White said. "In this league, winning is fun, and you have to work hard to be able to win. I knew this was a hard-working, winning organization, so I felt like it was just the right fit."
How Devin White is already helping the Lions defense
The Lions' linebacker room is one of the youngest in the league, and White is the elder of the group. Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard reportedly said linebackers Derrick Barnes and Malcolm Rodriguez have had their best practices since the arrival of White.
"When you put a bunch of Lions in the same cage, you're either gonna rise or you're not gonna eat that day," Sheppard said.
Even if White doesn't reach triple digit tackles again, he has what it takes to contribute in other areas as well. White has been a solid pass rusher throughout his career, and the Lions could use some help with getting after the quarterback outside of Aidan Hutchinson.
Sheppard said the team is still trying to add tools to White's game.
READ MORE: Why Jared Goff is a top 5 fantasy QB at home
"What Devin brings is championship pedigree," Sheppard said. "He brings lengthy experience; when he's stepping into a (new) room, it's not foreign to him. Devin also knows that he's an unfinished product in our eyes. Some people would be like, 'what do you mean? That's an all-pro linebacker, super bowl winner.' We don't care. There's no stone unturned here, and he's feeling that. He's felt it from day one."
In terms of how he fits into the Lions' culture, White's mindset and work ethic tells us all we need to know.
"... He appreciates it. Real guys want to be coached," Sheppard said. "I've been in lockerooms where guys call BS on coaches that take it easy on them. Real dudes want to be pushed, they want to be challenged and they want to be held accountable."
When the Lions host the Buccaneers on Sunday, Nov. 22, it will be the first time White has faced the team that drafted him.
Add us as a preferred source on Google