SCOUTING REPORT: A healthy Hasani White bolsters the secondary

The Penn junior converman sat out the 1997 season injured but returns this fall to his starting role. Last September, Penn sophomore Hasani White started at cornerback in the season opener against Dartmouth. It was the first chance he had to contribute regularly to the Quakers' defense. It was, however, also his last. Until now. A knee injury ended any chance White had to prove himself last season. Next Saturday, against Dartmouth, White will have the opportunity to become a staple in the Penn defensive backfield. In Penn's first game last year, after Big Green running back Dylan Karczewski caught a pass, White tried to tackle him. But as he went to make the play, not all of his body was with him. White's leg got caught in the Franklin Field turf, injuring his knee and ending his season. A torn meniscus was the diagnosis, and the safety originally expected to miss three or four weeks. He did not expect to miss the rest of the year. "It just didn't heal right," White said. "I wasn't ready to come back, so I just stayed out the whole season." It was supposed to be White's breakthrough season. As a freshman, he was an important contributor on special teams and saw time in the defensive backfield as a nickelback. White was a projected starter in the secondary last fall, where he would alternate between cornerback and free safety. His misfortune in the season-opener dealt a blow to the entire Penn defense. "Without question, when you lose a quality varsity defensive player, it's going to hurt," Penn defensive coordinator Mike Toop said. White's return and the play of the secondary are vital to the defense's success this season. "Obviously, [White] will be a good addition to the defensive backfield," starting cornerback and co-captain Joe Piela said. "We need a couple guys to step up. He's a guy who has some experience, and I think he'll get the job done." To get the job done, White must pass his first test on September 19. He will be facing the same offense that was on the field the last time he played competitively. The main question right now is whether or not White is back in top football shape. "Physically, he's fine," Toop said. "The tough thing for him is that except for 12 practices in the spring, he hasn't played in a year." With the exception of Piela, most members of the defensive backfield are inexperienced. After losing John Bishop -- an All-Ivy League safety -- and Larrin Robertson to graduation, the Quakers need players like White to fill the open slots. Along with White and Piela -- who has also spent time at free safety during practice -- Bruce Rossignol, a fullback last season, and Joey Alofaitulli are projected as the other starters in the secondary. The 1998 edition of the Penn defensive backfield is not expected to set any Ivy League records this year, but it should be able to keep most Ancient Eight offenses in check. "Right now, I think [the secondary] is very inconsistent," Toop said. "We have some very talented athletes. It's just a matter of gaining experience and consistency." For White, the Dartmouth game represents an old chance reborn. His chance to establish himself last season died against Dartmouth. Next Saturday, White could give that old chance new life.