 White matriculated at The Ohio State University , where he earned a varsity letter playing for Paul Brown 's 1942 team . White played at Ohio State for two years . He served in the United States Army from 1943 to 1945 during World War II and lettered two years for Fritz Crisler 's Michigan teams . His younger brother , Paul was captain at Michigan when White transferred . J. T. was the starting center for the 1946 and 1947 teams . The Football Writers Association of America named him as their second @-@ team All @-@ American center for the 1947 college football season . White played in the 1948 College All @-@ Star Game , and he was drafted by two pro teams : the Detroit Lions with the first pick of the 21st round ( 186th overall ) in the 1947 NFL Draft and the Brooklyn Dodgers of the All @-@ America Football Conference . 
