Most Ivy League students look for new challenges after graduation in the usual places.

Some take a big-money job on Wall Street or head off for more schooling in the medical or legal directions.

Marques White isn’t like most of those Ivy Leaguers. He prefers hitting runners more than hitting the books.

So after graduating from Dartmouth, the linebacker from Phoenix decided to keep playing football for at least one more season. He then chose McNeese State to further his football and education.

The journey from the Arizona desert through the hallowed halls of Dartmouth and then to Lake Charles seems strange to everybody, even White.

When asked what made him a Cowboy White said, “I ask myself the same thing. I really don’t know how it happened.”

After winning a part of three Ivy League championships, White’s move to McNeese, which finished 1-10 last season, seems odd. But for the 6-foot-2, 232-pounder it is the smart move.

“The coaches here reached out to me early and I felt that love,” said White. “They made me feel wanted and that is a big thing, to go to a place where they want you.”

White was greeted with culture shock when he first arrived on campus, like most area newcomers. It was a big change.

However, after a short time, he is settling in just fine.

“I feel like I fit in pretty well,” said White. “I come from a big city so this is different, but so was Dartmouth. Football helps you adjust quickly.”

White was a two-time All-Ivy League performer at Dartmouth, claiming second-team honors last year and 2021. He also showed the ability to overcome adversity, rebounding for a season-ending injury in 2022.

After playing just two games in ’22, the only time in White’s Dartmouth career where the Big Green didn’t win a share of the league title, he rebounded last season. While the injuries limited him to four games, White finished with 11 tackles, including 3.5 sacks for 30 yards in losses and forced a fumble.

For his comeback, White was awarded the team’s Lester R. Goodwin Award which is presented to the senior who, through extraordinary perseverance, has risen above personal disadvantage to contribute measurably to the team.

“He is a special type of player,” said McNeese head coach Gary Goff. “He has come back from a lot of adversity in his career.

“Marques makes big plays and can do a lot of things. And he can get after the quarterback. He is a big addition for us.”

White’s best year was as a sophomore in 2021, when he played all 10 games for Dartmouth, finishing with 40 tackles, 21 of them solo. He had 9.5 tackles for loss, including five sacks for minus 34 yards. He also had three QB hurries.

“Marques is an attacker on defense,” said McNeese defensive coordinator Tony Pecoraro. “He can make big plays and brings lots of energy.”

White thinks he can add to a linebacking crew that returns All-American Micah Davey and brought in Tristin Driggers from Louisiana-Monroe.

“Micah is some kind of football player,” said White. “Tristin can really hit you. I think we have a really good linebacking crew.

“I just want to be a playmaker, we all do. I just want to help this team reach its potential. Everything is up to us. We just have to put in the work.”

White received Davey’s compliment after the first day of camp.

“That guy is a dude,” said Davey. “He can make all the plays.”

It’s early but for now White’s decision to come to McNeese seems like a smart move.