Owls coach sees 'Nova's White as pro prospect

Steve Addazio knows something about evaluating NFL talent.

He helped develop 28 NFL players as an assistant coach at Syracuse, Notre Dame, Indiana and Florida. And 12 players from last season's Temple squad were either drafted or signed free-agent contracts.

So people tend to listen when Addazio labels someone as a professional prospect.

Such was the case 52 seconds into Addazio's Big East Conference teleconference on Monday. The Owls' second-year coach turned his attention to Villanova's Norman White.

"Their wideout Norman White is a pro prospect," Addazio said. "He's a heck of a player."

White is also the player Temple must contain in Friday night's Mayor's Cup game at Lincoln Financial Field.

A preseason Football Championship Subdivision all-American, White has regained his big-play ability after missing last season with an Achilles injury.

A sure-handed receiver, White caught 69 passes for 886 yards and 11 scores in 2010.

At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, he has a size advantage over Temple's cornerbacks Anthony Robey (5-10, 180) and Zamel Johnson (6-0, 170). He could become a matchup nightmare in the red zone.

"He's a dominant guy," Addazio said of the St. Joseph of Hammonton graduate. "He's got size. And he can go up and make those catches.

"He's one of those big receivers that you have to watch out that they are going to go up and make a play on the ball."

White is expected to be a huge part of the Wildcats passing game.

Villanova wideouts Dorian Wells and Kenny Miles will miss the game with foot injuries. There is a chance the two will be sidelined for eight weeks.

Ailing receiver could play. Addazio did not seem concerned about wideout Deon Miller's status for Friday.

"Deon will be fine," the coach said. "He's just working through it. It's just a little virus. I anticipate he'll be fine."

The 6-5 wide receiver has been sidelined the last two weeks of training camp with a viral illness. He did return to practice on Friday.

The native of Highland Springs, Va., is Temple's top returning receiver (18 catches, 253 yards, three touchdowns).