April 30, 2007

Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina center Chris White agreed to terms with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent, the Eagles announced Monday. White will participate in the Eagles’ minicamp in Philadelphia from May 12-14.

“Getting this chance means everything to me,” White said. “All the years of hard work are going to pay off. I know that being an undrafted free agent, I have to work extra hard but that’s what I am going to do. I have been in contact with the Eagles coaches since I worked out up there and they were the most interested in having me there. I looked at their depth chart and I feel like if I work hard and do well, I have a chance to make it.”

White helped South Carolina to three consecutive winning seasons in his final three years, leading all players on the 2006 Gamecock roster with 41 career starts. He started all 13 games as a senior and was a solidifying force on a Gamecock offensive line that played two true freshmen and two former walk-ons at different points of the season. White was one of only two offensive linemen, along with tackle Jamon Meredith, to start all 13 games in 2006. He was on the pre-season Rimington Watch list, which recognizes the nation’s top center. The Gamecocks totaled over 400 yards of offense in each of the season’s final four games, including a 512-yard eruption against Houston in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and a 492-yard outburst in the regular-season finale against a Clemson team that surrendered an average of only 250 yards per game entering that contest.

Former Gamecock defensive back Sheldon Brown made 52 tackles and picked off a pass for the Eagles last year in his third year as a full-time starter and is now tied for second on the Eagles all-time list with three returns for touchdowns (two interception returns, one fumble return). A native of Fort Lawn, S.C., Brown grew up about 20 miles east of White’s hometown of Chester, S.C.

“Sheldon and I come from the same area and both played for Carolina,” White said. “He was leaving college right when I was getting in, so we didn’t really get a chance to connect as teammates. Hopefully we will become teammates with the Eagles.”