Could Jahiem White be a steal for the 49ers next April?
North Texas running back Jahiem White is among the most underrated running backs in the nation and could be an option for the San Francisco 49ers in the 2027 NFL Draft. His blend of elusiveness, contact balance, and vision makes him an intriguing mid-to-late-round prospect.
Christian McCaffrey has been stellar for the 49ers, but he’s 30 years old, and they lack a long-term solution behind him. Rookie Kaelon Black looked solid in his NFL debut, but needs a dynamic option next to him. As a result, they don’t need a McCaffrey replacement; it’s hard to find someone of his caliber, but they must find a dynamic, three-down back to take the reins.
Luckily for them, an enticing mid- to late-round option potentially awaits them in North Texas, running back Jahiem White.
White spent his first three seasons at West Virginia, where he was highly productive, tallying 1,738 career rushing yards and 13 touchdowns before suffering a season-ending knee injury in 2025. Following that, he needed a change of scenery and transferred to North Texas.
White has been productive in 2026 despite a difficult early-season schedule, facing Indiana and UNLV, with 26 attempts for 185 yards and two touchdowns. He’s the motor behind the Mean Green’s offense and looks healthy after his injury. Expect him to break out onto the national scene as he settles into American Conference play.
White’s A-list trait is his unparalleled elusiveness and short-area quickness. He’s slippery and is challenging to tackle in open space. He can accelerate quickly and stop on a dime, making it difficult for defenders to reach him.
Additionally, White has exceptional contact balance that helps him bounce off collisions. Most running backs of his size, five-foot-seven, 190 pounds, don’t have this ability. This allows him to create highlight-level plays as he can pinball off tackle attempts and create game-changing plays.
Beyond this, he’s patient and has impressive vision that lets him survey the field, allow his blocks to set up, and find a lane. This, paired with his suddenness and cuts, helps him seamlessly adjust to pressure and find open gaps.
White’s biggest issue is his durability and play strength. He won’t be an every-down back and struggles to gain tough yards through the middle of a defense. Because of this, he must be utilized correctly and paired with a workhorse back.
Luckily for 49ers fans, this is the situation White would find in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. He’s not a fit for every NFL team, which will drop his stock, making him a valuable mid-to-late-round selection for the 49ers. Don’t be shocked to hear his name floating around The Bay next offseason.
