For Mitchell White, it’s all black and white with very little room for any shade of grey.

That’s football at its basic level, a cut-throat business where politics, ego and finances often interfere when personnel decisions are required.

At Michigan State, White was a walk-on fully aware that anyone at anytime could come in and take away whatever rep he was getting.

Those were heady days in the land of Spartans featuring players White would backup in the secondary that would go on to be NFL first-round draft picks in back-to-back years.

“The motto at school was: Iron sharpens iron,’’ recalled White as he reflected on those competitive days at Michigan State.

White was summoned to the CFL by Jim Popp, himself an alumnus of Michigan State, when Popp oversaw the Als.

White had just been cut by the NFL.

Once he learned the nuances of three-down football, White became a stalwart in Montreal’s defensive secondary.

He surprisingly was cut by the Als last season and quickly resurfaced in Ottawa, where White earned a Grey Cup ring.

Almost fittingly, White returns to the CFL for the first time since last fall’s upset of the Stamps by making his debut as an Argo at BMO Field, site of the Redblacks’ improbable win in the Grey Cup.

The plot thickens given Toronto’s opponent this Saturday night is the free-falling Als, who essentially felt White was no longer required.

White has all the attributes any team would want when rounding up a defensive backfield, athletic, long, instinctive, versatile.

What’s particularly endearing about White is how little he’ll hold back when a question gets posed.

Unlike most athletes, White readily acknowledges how this game means more to him than just another matchup against another opponent.

It’s personal and kudos to White, who was signed by the Argos following his release by the NFL’s Eagles, for not biting his tongue.

“I always take it personal when I play them,’’ White said. “I took it personal when I played them when I was in Ottawa last season. It was personal and I feel the same way now.

“Not to say I just look at one game more than any other, but there is a personal investment besides playing football. And I own up to it.”

White is expected to start at corner as the Argos reshuffle their back end with Johnny Sears Jr. unavailable.

The veteran came back last week following a lengthy injury absence.

It’s been awhile since White suited up for a game, but he’s excited.

“I can say this for myself,’’ began White about his approach in his Argos debut. “There are always three emotions that stick out to me. I’m always excited to play this game of football. I’m anxious to get there even though I don’t want to skip the steps in the process because you have to respect the process.

“And there is a nervous feeling for me. That’s what makes you play better because that emotion has to be high. This is the first game for me being back in the CFL and obviously I want to play as well as I can to help our team win. I’m nervous, but I don’t think I’d be as good a player if I wasn’t nervous.”

White was given jersey No. 12, a number one normally associates with the quarterback position.

“I’m excited about that,’’ said White “I’ve always been 32, 21 and now I’m 12. I like that number a lot. I think it’s going to be a good number.”

As a kid, White played quarterback with his twin brother Myles and younger sibling Austin.

White and Myles were born one minute apart.

Myles has bounced around the NFL and is currently a free agent.

ARGOS LOADING UP ON QBS

With CFL teams now allowed to increase their practice rosters, the Argos took advantage by announcing the signing of six players Wednesday.

Included in the six-pack were two quarterbacks, SMU’s Matt Davis and Skyler Howard, a product of West Virginia.

Of the six additions, some fans may remember defensive lineman Sadat Sulleyman, who recorded two sacks for the Denver Broncos during the 2016 NFL pre-season.

The surprise may have been the two QBs, giving the Argos seven in total.

Ricky Ray isn’t getting any younger and someone, whether it’s through development, trade or free agency, has to be secured for the future.

Ray is a free agent this off-season.

SELF-IMPOSED D FOR SACK-MASTER BUTLER

Left to right, inside to outside or vice versa, to the naked eye the transition from one spot on the field to the other would seem easy.

In reality, it’s not so seamless, a switch in areas that becomes a bit more challenging when it involves an extended injury absence.

Victor Butler went from lining up as the rush end on the left side on the line of scrimmage to the right, where he filled in for an injured Shawn Lemon.

The Argos hung on to beat Edmonton, but Butler, who emerged as a sack demon prior to his injury, felt he could have been more productive.

“You miss six games and your reaction time is a little slower,” Butler said. “If I was grading myself, I’d say D. Then when I came in here (Argos base at Don Bosco) guys were saying how I had four hits on the QB, had a batted pass that was intercepted but there was a PI (pass interference). When you hear the coaches grade you, it heartens you because maybe I didn’t do that bad.

“I’ll say a D, D+ performance, but as my mom told me a D+ is still a D.”