Cody White Bio
Cody White (born November 28, 1998) is an American professional football wide receiver and kickoff returner for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing 227 pounds, he wears jersey number 82 and is listed as active on the Seattle roster. After going undrafted out of Michigan State in 2020, White has built a professional career by moving between practice squads and active rosters across multiple organizations before establishing himself in Seattle.
Over the course of his professional journey, White has spent time with the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Denver Broncos, and Pittsburgh Steelers, in addition to his current stint with the Seahawks. He is a Super Bowl champion, having earned a ring as part of the league title won during the 2025 season. Known for his size and versatility in the return game, he has carved out a role as a depth receiver and special teams contributor at the highest level of American football.
Early Life and Background
Cody White was born on November 28, 1998, in Novi, Michigan, and grew up in the same community. He attended Walled Lake Western High School in nearby Walled Lake, where he distinguished himself as a multi-sport athlete. At Western, White was a member of the baseball, basketball, football, and track teams, showing early the athletic versatility that would later define his professional career.
As a senior at Walled Lake Western, White began the football season at quarterback after the team’s starter was injured, passing for 638 yards and nine touchdowns across the first three games. He finished that season with 43 catches for 705 yards and nine touchdowns receiving, while also rushing for 576 yards and seven touchdowns. His dominant performance earned him Michigan’s Mr. Football Award, one of the state’s most prestigious high school honors. White has credited his early developmental success to his polarizing little league coach, Paul Alati.
Path to American Football
White’s transition from high school star to collegiate prospect led him to Michigan State University, where he joined the Spartans football program. He quickly demonstrated an ability to contribute as a true freshman, setting a school record for first-year players with 490 receiving yards on 35 catches and four touchdown receptions. That production offered an early signal that he could develop into a reliable target at the Big Ten level.
Over his three seasons in East Lansing, White continued to grow as a pass catcher and leader of the Michigan State receiving corps. As a sophomore, he battled through injuries but still led the team with 555 receiving yards on 42 receptions and two touchdown catches. Following his junior campaign, he announced his decision to forgo his remaining college eligibility and enter the 2020 NFL draft as an undrafted prospect. By the end of his time with the Spartans, he had totaled 143 receptions for 1,967 yards and 12 touchdowns, finishing his career as one of the program’s notable recent receivers.
Cody White Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
White signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent on April 25, 2020, just after the conclusion of that year’s NFL draft. His initial stay in Kansas City was brief, as the Chiefs waived him on July 29. Within weeks, he found a new opportunity with the New York Giants, signing on August 11, 2020, before being waived six days later on August 17. The Denver Broncos then signed him on August 23, 2020, but he was again released on September 5 during final roster cuts.
White’s longest early stop came with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who signed him to their practice squad on September 24, 2020. He remained on the practice squad through the rest of that season and signed a reserve/futures contract on January 14, 2021. After being waived at the end of training camp in August 2021, he was re-signed to the Steelers’ practice squad. White was elevated to the active roster on September 26 for a Week 3 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, making his NFL debut with two catches for 17 yards in a 24–10 loss, and was signed to the active roster on October 9.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2020–2022)
White spent the bulk of his first three professional seasons attached to the Pittsburgh organization, working his way between the practice squad and active roster. On August 30, 2022, he was waived by the Steelers and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He then signed a reserve/future contract with Pittsburgh on January 10, 2023, signaling the team’s continued interest in his development.
His time with the Steelers ended during the 2023 offseason, when he was waived and injured on August 21 and later reverted to injured reserve before being released on August 25. While in Pittsburgh, he was a steady special teams presence and a depth receiver who gained valuable experience inside one of the league’s most stable organizations.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2023–Present)
The Seattle Seahawks signed White to their practice squad on October 18, 2023, marking the start of his current chapter. After a brief release on October 24, he was re-signed on November 26 and later signed a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024. As part of Seattle’s 2024 final roster cuts, he was waived on August 27 and re-signed to the practice squad the next day, then elevated to the active roster on November 2.
During a Week 9 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in 2024, White recorded two catches for 44 yards and a blocked punt, and he was signed to the active roster on November 16. In 2025, he shuttled between the practice squad and active roster before being elevated ahead of the Week 9 game against the Washington Commanders, where he scored his first NFL touchdown on a 60-yard reception from quarterback Sam Darnold. Signed to the active roster on November 8, he finished with three receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown in 10 appearances before a groin injury in Week 17 against the Carolina Panthers sent him to season-ending injured reserve on December 30. He re-signed with the Seahawks on March 18, 2026.
Driving Style and Strengths
White’s game is built around his combination of size, length, and physicality, allowing him to win contested catches and contribute on special teams. Listed at 6-3 and 227 pounds, he brings a downhill presence in the return game and as a blocker on the edge, while also serving as a reliable underneath target on intermediate routes. His ability to play both wide receiver and kickoff returner has made him a valuable complementary piece for the Seahawks.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable moments of White’s career is his first NFL touchdown, a 60-yard catch from Sam Darnold against the Washington Commanders in 2025, which announced his arrival as a vertical threat at the professional level. He is also a Super Bowl champion, part of the title-winning roster during the 2025 season. His blocked punt against the Los Angeles Rams in 2024 stands as another signature play, highlighting his special teams impact.
Cody White Career Wins
Cody White has been a part of one Super Bowl championship as a member of the Seattle Seahawks organization, a ring earned during the 2025 NFL season. His career has been defined more by perseverance and roster survival than by headline victories, with each transaction serving as a small milestone in an undrafted journey. Across stops in Kansas City, New York, Denver, Pittsburgh, and Seattle, he has built a résumé defined by reliability and special teams value.
Seattle Seahawks Highlights
With the Seattle Seahawks, White has provided steady contributions as a depth receiver and core special teams player since joining the practice squad in 2023. His most prominent offensive moment came on the 60-yard touchdown reception from Sam Darnold against Washington, a play that doubled as his first career NFL score. Earlier that same season, he delivered a blocked punt in a Week 9 game against the Los Angeles Rams, underscoring his knack for impacting the game in multiple phases.
Other Wins and Performances
Before arriving in Seattle, White’s most notable accomplishment was simply remaining in the league as an undrafted player, navigating multiple practice squad moves and brief stints with four other organizations. He earned Michigan’s Mr. Football Award in high school and set a Michigan State freshman receiving record, both foundational achievements that paved the way for his professional opportunity. His Super Bowl championship in 2025 stands as the crowning team accomplishment of his career to date.
Cody White Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
White comes from a strong football family, with his father, Sheldon White, having carved out a notable career in the National Football League. Sheldon White is a longtime NFL executive and former NFL defensive back who is currently the director of pro scouting for the Pittsburgh Steelers. That deep football background has given Cody an inside understanding of the league’s demands and the professionalism required to sustain a long career.
Personal Life
Cody White is an American native of Novi, Michigan, where he was raised and developed as an athlete. He attended Walled Lake Western High School before going on to play college football at Michigan State. His professional life has been shaped significantly by his father, Sheldon White, whose executive career with the Pittsburgh Steelers has offered Cody unique insight into the day-to-day operations of an NFL franchise.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a breakthrough stretch for White, who finally reached the end zone at the NFL level. In a Week 9 matchup against the Washington Commanders, he caught a 60-yard touchdown pass from Sam Darnold, his first career score, signaling his emergence as a downfield threat within the Seattle offense. Across 10 appearances on the season, he recorded three receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown, modest numbers that nonetheless reflected a growing role.
His season was cut short in Week 17, when a groin injury suffered against the Carolina Panthers sent him to injured reserve on December 30. Despite the early finish, his first NFL touchdown and his consistent presence on special teams helped him secure a future contract with the Seahawks. He re-signed with Seattle on March 18, 2026, ensuring that his 2025 performance will carry over into continued opportunity with the organization. The outlook for White heading into the next campaign is one of a depth receiver and special teams contributor looking to build on a year that finally delivered his first trip to the end zone.
