Jordan Whittington returned for a fifth year with a Big 12 title in mind
When Jordan Whittington chose the University of Texas back in 2018, he didn’t think he’d still be suiting up in burnt orange in the year 2023. Whittington, one of the top high school players in Texas for his class and on the heels of a legendary performance during the 2018 UIL 4A Div. II state championship, arrived at Texas in 2019 thinking his college career would only last three years.
[Get FOUR MONTHS of Inside Texas Plus for only $1!]
Things don’t always go according to plan. Whittington, who spoke to the media on Thursday following a Longhorns spring practice, flirted with the idea of declaring for the NFL draft after the 2022 season. After all, it was his first campaign on the Forty Acres that wasn’t derailed by injury. He had put his best foot forward and shown what he was capable of.
For Whittington, however, there was more left to accomplish in Austin.
“One, coming back to get that Big 12 championship and just improve myself, honestly, and try to improve this team as much as I can and try to make as much of a big impact I can before I’m gone,” Whittington said about the reasoning behind his return.
Of course, feedback from the NFL went into his decision. Whittington, the No. 38 overall player in the 2019 On3 Industry Ranking, had designs on being a pro player. The data he received was a key part of an adult decision he had to make.
Whittington said he received a number of “mixed answers” regrading where he would land if he were to declare for the draft. Eventually, he had to make a decision and took on a mature approach to answering an all-important question.
“I just ultimately had to sit down and ask myself, if I was my son, what would I do?” Whittington said. “That’s how ultimately I came up with my answer.”
The answer was to return to Texas for his fifth season. That was in spite of others telling him to leave following his first fully healthy year as a college football player.
One teammate he did receive guidance from during his process was Anthony Cook. A standout prep player himself, Cook had designs on a three-year collegiate career. Instead, Cook stayed for his fifth season and played a major part in Texas’ defensive improvement at safety in 2022.
“I think me and him were both rated high,” Whittington said about Cook. “You come here and you don’t expect, especially when you start so good, that you’ll get plagued by injury or stuff will happen to where you have to be here for five years until it’s here. I just had to put my pride to the side and realize this is what I needed to do.
“That’s something he told me, and he just told me to do what’s best for me.”
The decision to return gave him the chance to walk across the stage in the winter to receive his bachelor’s in public relations, a feeling he called similar to winning the state championship.
“It was a great feeling,” Whittington said. “You never really think about how cool it is until you’re actually up there. I’m a Texas Ex now.”
With eyes on a conference title, Whittington has worked to step into a leadership role. He compared it to his days at Cuero, where he watched others lead the Gobblers as a freshman and sophomore before becoming the leader of a state championship team during his senior year.
He’s also becoming more comfortable in his on-field role. Last year, with the prevalence of 12 personnel, there were times Whittington was asked to split out wide. According to PFF, he did that 344 times while he was in the slot 448 times.
His best plays came while aligned in the slot. He totaled 50 catches for 652 yards and a score last season, but wants to do a lot more. With the spring surge of AD Mitchell, Casey Cain, and even expected contributions from Isaiah Neyor, Whittington knows he’ll be able to do more from the spot that has led to his best work.
“I think that I’ll definitely have the opportunity to focus more on playing in the slot with those guys,” Whittington said. “I just go wherever they tell me to go right now. With those guys, it’s a real competitive room. We’re all going against each other but at the same time we’re making each other better.”
He’s continued to take care of his body, with countless hours in the weight room and the training room. He has given up his beloved post-scrimmage pint of ice cream, at least until spring football ends, even while tempted by his roommate. Even with the ice cream (or occasional gelato) calling him, Whittington has held fast.
“I’ve got until next week,” he said. “I’m almost there.”
Whittington is part of an experienced receivers room that includes the aforementioned Cain, Mitchell, and Neyor, plus Xavier Worthy.
For Whittington, that crew is part of why he returned to Texas. He knows the chance to win a Big 12 championship is for the taking.
The groundwork for the campaign toward that goal is being laid now in spring football. Instead of preparing for the draft, Whittington is preparing for year five.
It’s a year where he’s prepared to lead, and one he’s excited to take on.
