Will Jordan Whittington become LA’s next late-round sensation?

Whittington could be a roster lock after Ben Skowronek was traded to Texans

With the 213th overall pick, the Los Angeles Rams took Texas wide receiver Jordan Whittington to pair with All-Pros Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. The selection was initially viewed as a solid depth piece at wideout. However, a larger role might be carved out for the rookie following the surprise trade of Ben Skowronek to the Houston Texans on Thursday.

Is Whittington a lock to make the 53-man roster after the Skowronek trade? There’s reason to believe the Longhorns playmaker is in line to become the next Rams late-round star after Nacua last season.

Before we get too ahead of ourselves, it’s important to understand how Whittington got to LA first.

Jordan Whittington’s journey to becoming a Longhorns role player

Shortly before his time at Texas, Whittington was a four-star recruit from the 2019 class. At Cuero, he played several positions like safety, running back and wide receiver. Whittington even took a few snaps under center, completing all 14 of his pass attempts for 301 yards and a pair of touchdown passes. His high school career demonstrated what a Swiss Army knife he was across the board. From 2016-18 at Cuero, Jordan was a threat to opposing defenses no matter how he got the ball:

Rushing: 134 carries for 1,409 yards and 23 touchdowns

Receiving: 166 receptions for 3,202 yards and 41 touchdowns

Whittington also had five total return touchdowns in that span and earned TSWA Class 4A first-team all-state honors as a returner his sophomore year. As a safety, he recorded 60 tackles and five interceptions during his senior year. Gabe Brooks of 247Sports wrote the following report on Jordan prior to his arrival at Texas and said the wideout reminded him of dynamic NFL playmaker Ty Montgomery:

“Well-built and physically imposing prospect, especially relative to a projected receiver role. Highly developed physically and may not possess the frame space for much more physical progress. Possesses impressive bulk and plays with functional strength because of it. Looks like a running back.”

Speaking of running back, Whittington got his chance to be the primary ballcarrier in the 2018 state championship against Pleasant Glove. In the 40-28 win, Jordan posted a statline of 28 carries for 334 yards and five TDs, 3 catches for 43 yards and another TD all while posting a team-high 11 tackles.

He was named the game’s Offensive AND Defensive MVP in a record-setting performance. Then-Texas head coach Tom Herman attended the dominant showing and gave Whittington a glowing review:

“I’ve never seen in my 22 years of coaching a young man having never played a certain position — even in high school — to come in and say, hey, kid, you’re going to play tailback for us and say yes, sir, and take to it like a fish to water.”

Whittington didn’t exactly set the world on fire once he arrived in Austin. Through his first three seasons, he played in just 14 games and had three total touchdowns as various injuries took their toll. Then in 2022, Whittington established career highs in receptions (50) and receiving yards (652) as the Longhorns finished 8-5.

Football had been Jordan’s life, yet he was unsure whether he had a future beyond the collegiate level. Aside from the cliches of tending to unfinished business, Whittington shared in his letter to The Players’ Tribune that he returned out of a fear of failure and the unknown:

“Truth be told, I actually decided to skip the draft because I was afraid the NFL might not work out for me. And I was scared about what that would mean. When it came down to it, I had to be honest with myself and realize I wasn’t ready to face the possibility that I wouldn’t be playing football next year. And that I’d have to figure out something else to do. The fear of that possibility … it really got to me.

I feared that I’d end up back in my hometown and be the kid who “almost made it.” I feared that my family and friends would view me as a failure. And, coming up in a single-parent household, watching my mom struggle to make ends meet, I always had it in my mind that I was going to take care of her. So, to be honest with you, my worst fear, or nightmare, or whatever you want to call it, was this image in my head of me flaming out at football, and struggling, with no backup plan, and then my mom calling me up one day and asking for some money for groceries, or to get the car fixed up, and my response having to be: ‘Sorry, mom. I can’t afford it.’”

If helping the Longhorns accomplish a special season was his goal, Jordan did that and more in 2023. Texas went 12-2 and won the Big 12 Conference all while making their first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoffs. Jordan’s effort was on display at all times.

Similar to his state championship showing, Whittington had a reputation for stepping up when the lights shined brightest.

Despite coming up short to the unbeaten Washington Huskies in the 2024 Sugar Bowl, Texas nearly pulled off the comeback after a sensational catch from Whittington.

So what role awaits Jordan Whittington with the Rams?

Now we can finally begin to answer this question as Jordan is welcomed to Hollywood. With Ben Skowronek gone, there is a very realistic chance that Whittington will take his place on special teams. Skowronek played 71 percent of the special teams’ snaps in 2023 compared to just 19 percent on offense. The three-year veteran was pushed down the depth chart and the overall lack of injuries at the position last season likely contributed to his trade to Houston.

Whether Whittington will see an increase of offensive snaps compared to Skowronek is uncertain. Sean McVay said there’s a vision for players like Whittington, but the role must be earned with all the competition expected this summer.

Jordan is certainly no stranger to competition given he came from a loaded receiving corps. The rookie saw top Texas teammates Xavier Worthy (Chiefs, No. 28 overall), Adonai Mitchell (Colts, No. 52 overall) and Ja’Tavion Sanders (Panthers, No. 101 overall) get drafted ahead of him. Even if those players typically outperformed him in the box score, there was a reason Whittington received as much playing time as he did.

Les Snead recalled how Jordan was frequently described as the “heartbeat” of the UT program:

Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian shared in a statement that McVay and the Rams will “absolutely love” Whittington and that nobody on the Longhorns was “more valuable” in helping build the culture in Austin:

“I love Jordan Whittington and what he meant to our team from a leadership and toughness standpoint. He plays the game the right way. He does all the dirty work that you’re looking for from a great all-around player. Yes, he makes plays on first and second down, but he’s a sure-handed guy on third down. He’s an elite blocker, knows every position on the field and there’s no play that he takes off. He’s a great teammate and a relentless competitor who ultimately only cares about winning.

Jordan has all the measurables, too. He has more size and speed than people probably give him credit for, and that’s what allows him to be an every-down player, not to mention the special teams value he provides. He could very easily be a four-core special teamer for any NFL team, he certainly was for us. He’s carried himself like a pro for us, has a bright future in the NFL and will be a great addition to the LA Rams.”

Doing the dirty work is essential to having success in McVay’s scheme. Whittington has the size to be an excellent blocker which again is expected from wideouts in a McVay offense. Everything about him “screams Ram” as stated by TST’s own Jake Ellenbogen:

Regardless of what happens during his rookie campaign, Whittington is eager to learn from his new teammates.

“I’m a student of the game, and Cooper Kupp I feel like is a professor so I want to get to that level.

I see the way that they use Puka (Nacua) with all the different ways, the blocking. You want someone that can get gritty, and I think I’m really good at that. It’s mutually beneficially.”

Assuming Whittington learns from his teachers, the Rams’ next late-round star might be among us.

Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images