Editor’s note: This is the second story in a four-part series on the Western Kentucky quarterbacks vying this spring to replace graduated star Brandon Doughty. 

Things slowed down for Western Kentucky’s Mike White last season – in a good way.

The redshirt junior quarterback sat out last year with the Hilltoppers after transferring from South Florida.

As a two-year starter for the Bulls, White had to adjust to sitting out, but he thinks it’ll pay dividends as he prepares for WKU’s battle in spring practice to replace departed star QB Brandon Doughty.

“It was definitely a change of pace, sitting out and kind of watching everything happen,” White said in an interview with the Daily News. “You’re just kind of in the background, trying to learn everything. But that was one thing I really wanted to do, was learn, especially from Brandon. I wanted to see the nuances of the offense and how everything works.

“I was with scout team the whole year, helping our defense out in that respect, but I was trying to watch film as much as I could with Doughty and pick his brain until he left. That was my main goal – to learn.”

As White noted, the 2015 season at WKU was really his first chance to sit back and study at the college level.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound quarterback earned South Florida’s starting job in fall camp for the 2014 season and started the first eight games for the Bulls and former WKU coach Willie Taggart as a sophomore.

He ultimately appeared in 11 games and started 10, completing 122 of 242 passes for 1,639 yards and eight touchdowns with seven interceptions.

He started five games as a freshman and passed for 1,083 yards with three TDs and nine interceptions.

Then White came to WKU, where he had to adjust to taking a backseat and watching those ahead of him.

“I think it was really good for me and what I needed in my career, to take a step back and learn and not necessarily be the guy,” White said. “It was nice to play that role for a year.”

In addition to being a key piece of the Tops’ scout team offense, White said he also worked intensely with Domenic Reno, WKU’s assistant director of strength and conditioning.

Reno is the staffer who worked with Doughty in a one-on-one strength program last offseason to improve Doughty’s agility, explosiveness and footwork.

“I never really got a redshirt year,” White said. “I played my true freshman and sophomore years, so in that respect, it was good. Obviously it was a whole year to just train my butt off with Reno and learn. I think it was the best thing for me. I physically feel in the best shape I’ve ever been in my playing career, and I’ve made strides in that aspect of it. That’s 100 percent coach Brohm and coach Reno.”

White – a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native – knew Doughty, who’s from nearby Davie, Fla., before he came to WKU. 

The two have trained with the same private quarterback coach in Ken Mastrole, and White said he made it a priority to learn from the detail-oriented Doughty during his season on the sidelines.

“Being smart with the football and extending plays,” White said of what he took away. “Not every single play is a home-run hitter, and not every play is going to go as scripted. There’s going to be some plays where you have to make a play and improvise. You roll out and maybe hit somebody who wasn’t necessarily in the read. 

“Also just knowing why the coaches are calling a play and trusting the coaches that they’re calling a play for a reason, so that’s how I’m going to run it.”

White has received high praise from Mastrole and Doughty, who have each spent countless hours watching him work.

Mastrole told the Daily News in January that White has a “first-round pick style of NFL arm,” but that the biggest hurdle for the quarterback will be cutting loose mentally and adopting Doughty’s passion for preparation.

Doughty called White an impressive physical talent who’s a “way better thrower than I am.”

“I feel like I’m a talented thrower,” White said. “I’m confident in my ability to throw the ball and make decisions. I feel what I bring is I’ve been a starting quarterback for two years. I’ve been thrown in the fire. I think in that aspect, I know how to handle that situation, and when stuff breaks down, I know how to handle that and be positive with my leadership.”

WKU coach Jeff Brohm and his staff quickly sold White on the Hilltopper program.

White committed in April hours after leaving his official visit, turning away interest from the likes of Florida, Indiana and Southern Miss.

With a wealth of knowledge gained during his season sitting out, he’s ready to step back into a larger role.

“I’m very confident in my playing abilities and like my chances, obviously, but I’m also here to help any way I can to help the team win,” White said. “I’m going to help any quarterback that needs help.”

Coming up at bgdailynews.com and in Saturday’s Daily News: A look at rising redshirt sophomore Drew Eckels.

— Follow Assistant Sports Editor Zach Greenwell on Twitter at twitter.com/zach_greenwell or visit bgdailynews.com.