Former FSU receiver announces retirement after 16-day NFL career

Squirrel White, who spent his last collegiate season with Florida State and signed to the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent, has unexpectedly announced his retirement from the NFL after just 16 days.

White spent three seasons with Tennessee before transferring to Florida State for his final year of eligibility. He finished his four-year college career posting 1,717 receiving yards and six touchdowns.

It’s unclear as to why the former Volunteer and Seminole abruptly retired after a little over two weeks with the Bears. Sean Hammond of the Chicago Tribune did note that the Bears placed White on the reserve/retired list.

On Saturday, May 9th, White was seen leaving practice with the Chicago training staff following a stretch. His only notable injury history comes in 2024 during his final season with the Vols where he suffered a sprained PCL.

Many college football fans might remember White from the historic Virginia field rush after the Cavaliers upset a then 8 ranked Florida State early in the 2025 season, where he was the targeted receiver and ended up at the bottom of the field storm.

Virginia fans INSTANTLY rush the field after defeating No. 8 FSU.pic.twitter.com/RsRJZRAUGu

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With White now not on an NFL roster, that brings Florida State’s total 2026 prospects in the NFL to six. They are made up of Darrell Jackson Jr., who was drafted in the fourth round, former QB Tommy Castellanos, who has been training as a receiver, along with Jerry Wilson, Mason Arnold, Jacob Rizy, and Roydell Williams.

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