Mike White Bio
Michael White, known professionally as Mike White, is an American professional football quarterback currently playing for the Carolina Panthers in the National Football League. Born on March 25, 1995, in Pembroke Pines, Florida, he has built his career as a reliable backup who has stepped into starting roles when teams needed him most. Standing 6 ft 5 in and weighing around 216 lb, White has played for several NFL franchises since entering the league in 2018, including the Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Cincinnati Bengals.
White attended NSU University School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, before launching a college career that began at South Florida and later moved to Western Kentucky. He was selected in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Across his professional journey, he has been praised for his poise, arm talent, and willingness to take on starting responsibility, most notably during memorable stretches with the New York Jets.
Early Life and Background
Michael White was born and raised in Pembroke Pines, Florida, and grew up in the nearby Fort Lauderdale area. He attended NSU University School, where he did not become a starting quarterback until his senior season. In that final year, he passed for 2,201 yards and 22 touchdowns with only two interceptions, leading his team to a Class 3A state championship. He was recognized as the Class 3A Florida Player of the Year, a strong sign of his late-blooming potential.
Beyond football, White was also a highly regarded baseball pitcher during his high school years. He posted a 9-2 record with a 0.43 earned run average and earned All-Broward County honors as a junior. Although he chose football as his primary sport, his athletic versatility helped shape the competitive mindset that would later define his professional career. He ultimately committed to the University of South Florida to play college football at the next level.
Path to American Football
White began his college career at the University of South Florida, where he started five games as a true freshman in 2013. He struggled in that opening season, completing 93 of 175 passes for 1,083 yards with three touchdowns and nine interceptions. Before his sophomore year, he was named the starting quarterback and went on to make 10 starts in 2014, finishing with 1,639 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
Following a coaching change at South Florida that shifted the offense toward a spread system, White transferred to Western Kentucky University. He sat out the 2015 season under NCAA transfer rules, then took over as the starter in 2016 after Brandon Doughty graduated. That year, he completed 280 of 416 passes for 4,363 yards and 37 touchdowns, earning Conference USA Newcomer of the Year honors. He returned as the starter in 2017, passing for 4,177 yards and 26 touchdowns, and was named Second-team All-C-USA for his senior campaign.
Mike White Career
Early Career (2018-2019)
The Dallas Cowboys selected Mike White in the fifth round, 171st overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft, making him the eighth quarterback drafted that year and the highest drafted signal-caller in Western Kentucky history. He signed a four-year, $2.67 million contract that included a signing bonus of $217,553, and he made the Cowboys roster as the third-string quarterback. Although he appeared in preseason contests, White was waived on August 31, 2019, after Dallas chose to carry only two quarterbacks.
Shortly after his release, White signed with the New York Jets practice squad on September 25, 2019. He spent the rest of that season and all of 2020 bouncing between the practice squad and the active roster, often promoted for individual games before reverting back. Despite the constant movement, he used those early professional years to study NFL offenses and develop the timing and anticipation that would later serve him well in bigger moments.
New York Jets Breakthrough (2021-2022)
Mike White earned his first real opportunity with the New York Jets in 2021, after starting quarterback Zach Wilson went down with an injury during a Week 7 matchup against the New England Patriots. White made his regular-season debut in that game, immediately leading a touchdown drive with a pass to Corey Davis and finishing with 202 passing yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in a 54-13 loss. The following week, he made his first career start against the Cincinnati Bengals, completing 37 of 45 passes for 405 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-31 victory. He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the performance.
In 2022, White re-signed with the Jets on a one-year, $2.54 million deal. After Wilson was benched, he was named the Week 12 starter against the Chicago Bears, where he threw for 315 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-10 win. He followed that with 369 passing yards against the Minnesota Vikings. Later in the season, he suffered two broken ribs against the Buffalo Bills, a game during which he was hit repeatedly but kept returning to the field. He played through five broken ribs in a Week 17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks before being shut down for the season finale.
Carolina Panthers Era (2025-Present)
After short stints with the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Cincinnati Bengals practice squad, Mike White signed with the Carolina Panthers practice squad on October 21, 2025. He was promoted to Carolina’s active roster on October 30, then released on November 8 before re-signing with the practice squad three days later. His arrival gives the Panthers a veteran backup presence with starting experience.
Throughout his Panthers tenure, White has continued to add value as a steady presence in the quarterback room, supporting Bryce Young and the offensive staff with detailed preparation. While his role has been limited so far, his track record of stepping into pressure situations makes him an important depth piece for Carolina as the season progresses.
Notable Events and Milestones
White’s most memorable milestone came in his first career NFL start, when he became the first Jets quarterback since Vinny Testaverde in 2000 to throw for 400 or more yards and the first NFL quarterback to reach that mark in his debut start since Cam Newton. He is also remembered for finishing a game against the Buffalo Bills with broken ribs, refusing to leave the field despite taking repeated hits. Those moments established him as a quarterback who can be trusted in difficult situations.
Mike White Career Wins
Mike White has accumulated several notable victories as a starting and backup quarterback across his NFL stops. His most celebrated win came with the New York Jets in a 34-31 upset of the Cincinnati Bengals, while additional team success followed during his Jets starts against the Chicago Bears. Although his overall win totals are limited by his backup role, he has delivered meaningful performances that helped several franchises during injury-plagued stretches.
NFL Highlights
White’s top NFL wins include his 34-31 debut victory over the Bengals, a 31-10 win over the Chicago Bears in 2022, and a series of late-season performances with the Jets that helped keep the team competitive. His only confirmed Dolphins appearance resulted in a 70-20 victory over the Denver Broncos, where he connected with Robbie Chosen for a 68-yard touchdown pass. With Carolina, he has not yet been credited with a verified individual victory.
Other Wins & Performances
In high school, White led NSU University School to a Class 3A Florida state championship during his senior season and was named the Class 3A Florida Player of the Year. At Western Kentucky, he delivered consecutive strong seasons in 2016 and 2017, guiding the Hilltoppers to competitive Conference USA finishes. He also impressed at the 2018 Senior Bowl, completing 8 of 11 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns for the South team in a 45-16 win, which significantly boosted his draft stock.
Mike White Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Mike White’s family background is rooted in Pembroke Pines, Florida, where he grew up in a supportive household that encouraged multi-sport development. His parents are not publicly identified in verified sources, but his upbringing in South Florida shaped his competitive edge and work ethic. He was also a standout baseball pitcher in high school, reflecting a family environment that valued athletic ambition.
Personal Life
Mike White is married to Mallory White, his longtime partner. The couple have two children together, a twin son and daughter. Family life has remained an important anchor for White as he has moved between NFL cities throughout his career.
2025 Season Performance
Mike White’s 2025 campaign has been defined by movement between practice squads and active rosters. After being released by the Buffalo Bills during final roster cuts in August, he was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad on September 16, 2025, and released on October 7. Shortly afterward, he joined the Carolina Panthers practice squad on October 21 before being elevated to the active roster on October 30.
Through his appearances, White has provided Carolina with veteran depth and an experienced voice in the quarterback room behind Bryce Young. His preparation habits and starting-game experience have been valuable for a Panthers team navigating a transitional offensive season. As the 2025 season continues, his role is expected to focus on supporting the offense while remaining ready for any sudden need to step on the field.
