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White carries load
for 49ers

Joshua White knew something was the matter the minute he stepped into the shower last week.

"I felt my body starting to cramp all over,'' the former Hawaii prep standout said after Wednesday's second 49ers practice in Stockton, Calif. "They called the doctors in right away and put me on an IV. I'm fine now."

The source of White's dehydration was lugging the football so many times that he lost count. White was the only fullback in rookie camp this past weekend. In two days, he had almost as many carries as his three seasons at the University of California.

"I didn't carry the football as much my senior year because we went away from the West Coast offense," said White, who attended Radford and Farrington high schools in the mid-1990s.

He went to Snow (Utah) Junior College before joining California in 1997. During his three years with the Golden Bears, White had 95 carries for 339 yards and five touchdowns.

"I'm glad to be back running the West Coast offense," White said. "The terminology is a little different here, but all the plays are basically the same. I feel real good about my chances."

The 5-foot-11, 245-pound White is one of 10 backs on the roster. Depending on the health of Garrison Hearst, the 49ers figure to carry half of those during the regular season.

Last year, White was used more as a blocking back than his first two years in the California program. He signed a free-agent contract in late April and is hopeful he'll stick this season.

"I think I showed the coaches what I can do in the mini and rookie camps," White said.

Sapolu in town

Former San Francisco 49er Jesse Sapolu attended last week's first full workout just to visit with some old coaches and friends. Due to speak in Honolulu next month, Sapolu has no official ties with the team he played for from 1983-1997.

"But I always try to make it back for the first day of camp," Sapolu said. "It's great to visit with some of the guys I played with and to see how the coaches are doing. I miss playing, but I don't miss these two-a-days in the summer."

Sapolu appeared fit enough for duty, although offensive lineman Jeremy Newberry playfully called him "the fat man." Sapolu said he doesn't have any coaching plans right now, but would like to get back into football someday soon.

"I feel like I could give a lot to the younger players in this game," Sapolu said. "But right now, I'm happy working (in the private sector). It's just good to come over here and see how everyone is doing."

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By Paul Arnett