Andrew “Whit” Whitaker gets hyped before a game. (Photo Courtesy of Linda Clement-Holmes)

To those who didn’t know former Washington University cornerback Andrew Whitaker — or “Whit,” as those close to him call him —, seeing him sign a professional contract with the Seattle Seahawks may have come as a surprise. But to those who know him or have been following his story, an NFL contract was inevitable. 

“We’re immensely proud. A lot of people would be shocked, but we’re not,” said senior defense-back Shawn Yates. “We…saw this coming. We knew he was working his butt off for this. It’s just really cool seeing a former teammate — especially coming from a D3 school and a place where it’s more focused on academics — make it [to the NFL].” 

This summer, Whitaker –a 2021  graduate of WashU– signed a professional contract with the NFL franchise Seattle Seahawks after spending some time playing for the Houston Roughnecks in the XFL. On Tuesday, Aug. 8, Whitaker was waived/injured after suffering a knee injury at a mock game.

In signing the contract, Whitaker joined a long list of former WashU football players who took their talent to the NFL. Most notably, the late Super Bowl champion Shelby Jordan played 11 seasons in the league with the New England Patriots and the Oakland Raiders respectively. Wilson Rutherford “Bud” Schwenk Jr. is another significant WashU football alumni. He played four seasons in the NFL for the Chicago Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Colts, and New York Yankees as a quarterback in the 1940s.

“We’re proud of his efforts and preparing himself for this opportunity,” said football head coach Aaron Keen. “You know, there are always people in any program who come through with talent and may have some opportunities [to go big]. I think the players [that] take advantage of those opportunities through preparation and patience, [do see results]. It’s a long road to get to that point and a lot of tryouts and setbacks and exciting things along the way. But those players — the people who persevered– end up making it.” 

At WashU, Whitaker played 39 games for the Bears, registering 145 tackles, 115 of them being solo. He also had 23 passes defended and seven interceptions. He scored his first career touchdown in his final year with the program on a pick-six. He garnered First Team All-CCIW honors in his final season after earning Second Team All-CCIW honors as a junior.

While football was his main passion during his time at WashU, Whitaker was a three-sport athlete as he competed in both winter and spring seasons for the Washington University men’s track team. He was a key member of the 2022 men’s indoor track team that won the 2022 NCAA Indoor Track national — the first in program history — as he won the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 7.943.

“Andrew expected to win even though, on paper, he had no business winning going into the meet,” said track & field coach Jeff Stiles after the historic day. “He’s one of the most competitive athletes I’ve ever been around. He loves winning, but he hates losing and keeps pushing himself.”

At WashU, he was as sharp in the classroom as he was in the field. That was visible in the numerous academic accolades that he received. Whitaker was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American and a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District. 

“This is a Biomedical Engineering student who has his master’s degree from Washington University and was a multi-sport athlete here,” said Keen. “He had the desire to compete for championships in sports that he loved while he was getting a world-class education. He’s going to be a wonderful doctor someday.”

Many at WashU will remember Whitaker for the legacy he left behind. But to his teammates and friends who got to compete and train with him daily and weekly, he will be remembered as a leader and friend. He will be remembered for his character.

“I think that Andrew does a good job of connecting with people on a very personal level and providing support in that way as a mentor in the football sphere,” said fifth-year defense-back Bradley Hamilton. “We’re very proud of Andrew and everything he’s accomplished and the legacies he left with the program.” 

“I think that’s the biggest thing that he’s given us through this — if you put the work in, the results will come back [eventually],” Hamilton went on to add. “He’s a great representation of just keeping your nose to the grindstone and seeing what comes up.”

In signing with the Seahawks, Whitaker helped his professional ambition of playing in the NFL. But in doing so, he also helped his former football program as, for Coach Keen, having a former player who signed an NFL contract will have a positive impact on his staff team’s ability to recruit talented players to come to join the WashU program.

“I think it’s certainly beneficial for our recruiting process and helps younger players who might be looking at our institution and adding our football program for their future opportunities,” he said. “To know that they can pursue their passions academically, get a world-class education, and get a life-changing degree at a place like WashU without football having to take a back seat — you know, that if they have dreams, they can pursue those dreams at this institution.”

50 years after Shelby Jordan was drafted by the Houston Oilers, another WashU alumni reached the NFL. Coming off a football program that prides itself on being there for its members, one thing is clear: WashU is cheering “Whit” on through everything.

“We’re all behind him, supporting him, and rooting for him on whatever steps he takes in his journey, setbacks, accomplishments, and anything — we’re all behind him,” said Yates.