Whitehead turning heads as freshman in Pitt secondary
PITTSBURGH – The last time Jordan Whitehead played in a game at Heinz Field, he put on a dazzling performance that cemented his status as one of the top athletes in the state.
One game Whitehead won’t forget is last Nov. 21 when Whitehead, who committed to Pitt in early October, carried Central Valley to the Class AAA championship with a 286-yard performance – 179 receiving and 107 rushing – and three touchdowns.
One play he made put the exclamation point on a career that attracted attention of top college coaches.
Whitehead caught a short screen pass and darted past multiple defenders before encountering three more 20 yards down field.
He spun toward the sideline, escaping for a 55-yard touchdown that help the Warriors defeat West Allegheny. It was a play that made jaws drop and Pitt football fans giddy with excitement.
Now, Whitehead will get the chance to show how he stacks up against Division I talent Saturday, when he returns to Heinz Field with Pitt to face Youngstown State in a 1 p.m. kickoff.
“It’s been a long time since that happened,” Whitehead said of committing to Pitt. “That’s one of the reasons I came here, to play in front of the home crowd. It’s going to be a good experience. When I get on the home field Saturday, you have to block that aside and not let that be a distraction.”
Listed as starter at strong safety on the depth chart for Pat Narduzzi’s first game as head coach: Whitehead or sophomore Pat Amara. It is one of three positions on defense where two names are listed.
“We’re going to play the guys who deserve to play,” Narduzzi said during Monday’s press conference. “If it says ‘or,’ that means it could be (either) one of those guys. They’re both good, but one of those guys, or the other guy, has not stepped up and said, ‘That’s my position.’
“We can get rid of the ‘or,’ but I’m not getting rid of (it). (The players) are getting rid of the (it).”
Whitehead, a former four-star recruit, entered preseason camp with plenty of hype. He was behind Amara and junior Jevonte Pitts in experience and knowledge of defensive coordinator Josh Conklin’s playbook.
It did not take Whitehead long to show what his rare talent can accomplish with reps in practice. Once he learned the plays, Whitehead was able to flash athleticism, dropping into the box, reading his keys against the run and quickly dropping into coverage, if necessary.
“It’s a three-way battle right now,” Narduzzi said of the strong safety position. “Whitehead has really thrown a wrench in it and made it a battle. They all bring something different to the table, so we’ll wait and find out. That’s another one of those positions – who’s going to do it?
“With as few reps as Jordan Whitehead has had, you’d almost say he’s a starter, but he’s a freshman. He’s had less reps than anybody out there, but he’s still hanging in there. We’ll see a lot of ball out of him. We’ll see when the lights turn on.”
When Whitehead narrowed his college choices to Pitt, West Virginia and Ohio State, he wanted to find a place where he could compete for a starting job as a freshman. Narduzzi promised every incoming freshman a chance to immediately compete for a spot.
It wasn’t a false promise. Whitehead is not the only freshman who could start for the Panthers this fall. Narduzzi said wide receivers Tre Tipton of Apollo-Ridge and Quadree Henderson, and running back Darrin Hall will likely see the field this season. Dane Jackson of Cornell/Quaker Valley has impressed in the secondary and on special teams.
Whitehead will serve as a backup returning kicks and punts, but he is not letting the questions of playing time or the excitement of performing in front of a home crowd distract him during his return to Heinz Field.
Friends and family have high expectations for the 5-11 speedster, but he has blocked out the noise. A phone call to his parents helped with that.
“I’ve always been told that when you get your opportunities, make a name for yourself and make plays,” Whitehead said. “I came in and had to learn the defense and now it’s learning (Youngstown State’s) offense. I’m now focused on just one thing and that’s Youngstown State.”