2025 Hall of Fame Feature: James White
Andy Baggot
7/3/2025
James White didn’t hesitate when asked whether he had maximized his four-year experience with the Wisconsin football team.
In short: no.
“I feel like I could have done more when I look back—being more involved in the community, building even more connections,” he said.
From day one, he was super professional and coachable. He always had a smile on his face, always brought great energy. He led through his actions. With a lot of young guys, that takes time -- but James got it right away.Scott Tolzien
“When you’re a college student, it feels like things are moving 100 miles an hour,” White said. “But looking back, I think I could have done more to help others and build more relationships. I still believe I could have done a little bit more.”
Those who know him best weren’t surprised by his reflection—or his honesty.
Bret Bielema, Wisconsin’s head coach from 2006 to 2012, recruited White out of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and watched him blossom at both the college and NFL levels.
“I always thought James was a deep thinker,” Bielema said. “What I loved about him was how observant he was. You could literally see his mind working.”
Scott Tolzien, Wisconsin’s starting quarterback in 2010 when White was a freshman, praised his teammate’s work ethic and humility.
“From day one, he was super professional and coachable,” said Tolzien, now the quarterbacks coach for the New Orleans Saints. “He always had a smile on his face, always brought great energy. He led through his actions. With a lot of young guys, that takes time—but James got it right away.
“He just had that positive presence. From day one, it was like, ‘How can you not root for this guy?’”
White made a lasting impact at Wisconsin, which is why he’s among 12 inductees into the 2025 class of the UW Athletic Hall of Fame.
Despite not starting a game as a freshman or sophomore—and just two as a junior—he still ranks sixth in program history in career rushing yards, fifth in all-purpose yards, and fifth in total touchdowns.
Even though he led Wisconsin in rushing and all-purpose yards as a freshman and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, many fans didn’t immediately see him as the Badgers’ lead back.
John Clay was the featured starter in 2010. Montee Ball took over in 2011 and 2012. In 2013, White finally started every game, but Melvin Gordon still finished with more rushing yards.
Still, Bielema called White the best every-down back he ever coached at Wisconsin.
“Some of the guys had early-down value but not on third down,” Bielema said. “James was by far the best complete back I had.”
Tolzien echoed that: “There really wasn’t a weakness in his game.”
That versatility carried over to the NFL. Drafted by New England in the fourth round in 2014, White played eight seasons, won three Super Bowls, and appeared in four. He was named to the Patriots’ All-Dynasty Team—thanks in large part to his performance in Super Bowl LI.
In that historic comeback win over Atlanta, White totaled 139 scrimmage yards, three touchdowns, and a two-point conversion. His 2-yard TD run in overtime sealed the 34–28 victory.
Tom Brady, who was named Super Bowl MVP, insisted White deserved the honor—and even gave him the MVP award prize: a new pickup truck.
Former teammate Travis Frederick, also being inducted into the UW Hall of Fame, said it was White’s mindset that set him apart.
“James is such a positive and hopeful human being,” Frederick said. “No matter the situation—third-and-long, carrying sandbags up the bleachers—he had a great attitude and a willingness to go to work.
“You could see it in how he played—the drive to win, to succeed. It was contagious. And that’s before even mentioning that he was a phenomenal player.”
Today, White is the running backs coach at Illinois, working under his former college coach, Bielema.
“Great teammate. Great person,” Bielema said.
BEST OF THREE
One: White had no idea that he’d be a UW Hall of Famer one day. “It’s a tremendous honor,” he said. “So many great people, great athletes, have come to that university. It speaks volumes that Wisconsin brings in a certain type of athlete, a certain type of human being. We’ve had people excel at the highest level and for me to be in the same category as those guys, I’m very grateful to be included.”
Two: When asked to identify someone who had an impact on his UW career, White mentioned two position coaches – Thomas Hammock and John Settle – but ultimately picked Tolzien. “When I came in, Scott Tolzien was always awesome to me,” White said. “He was very helpful as soon as I walked into the building as a freshman, helping me learn the offense, getting me up to speed when it came to that stuff. The way he went about his business was always cool to see.”
Three: White said the most important lesson he learned at Wisconsin had to do with work ethic. “Just work hard no matter the circumstances. You’re going to face different challenges throughout your football career, throughout life. Not everything is going to go your way, but when your number is called upon, be ready for that given moment.”