Donte Whitner:
Background:
Donte Whitner attended Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio where he played cornerback and receiver. As a junior, Donte had 87 tackles and three interceptions. He also scored 14 touchdowns as a receiver on offense. As a senior he finished with 60 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 4 forced fumbles. He had 9 touchdown receptions his final season at Glenville. He finished with 13 career interceptions and was considered to be one of the best defensive back prospects in the nation. He was selected to play in the U.S. Army all-American Bowl and accepted a scholarship to play cornerback at Ohio State. As a freshman at Ohio State, Donte made an impact as a reserve defensive back, totaling 22 tackles and 2 interceptions on the season. He began his sophomore season splitting time before earning a starting safety position where he started for the next five games. He finished the season with 69 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 interception, despite missing time with a knee injury. As a junior, Donte had his best season. He had career highs in tackles (73), sacks (4), interceptions (2), and pass break-ups (6), on his way to first team all-big ten honors. Donte still has another year of eligibility left but he opted to leave school early in order to enter the 2006 NFL draft.
Analysis:
Donte Whitner has a good deal of experience for someone who was only in college three years. He was a two-year starter and saw a good deal of action as a reserve defensive back as a freshman. He is a very physical safety. He hits hard and is a great wrap-up tackler. He has excellent instincts and a real nose for the football. His speed and athleticism allow him to make plays all over the field. He is a very on the blitz. He had four sacks this past season and has very good closing speed getting to the quarterback. Donte played strong safety at Ohio State but he lacks ideal size for the position in the NFL, which could lead to him switching to free safety in the future. He has the athletic ability to play cornerback as well but he would need to improve his man cover skills in order to make such a switch. He has the ability to play anywhere in the defensive backfield but would probably have the most immediate impact at free safety. He also possesses the intangibles you look for with great football intelligence and leadership qualities. Donte Whitner is a player who could’ve improved his draft stock by staying in college for his senior season. As of now he has a good chance to be a second round pick in the 2006 NFL draft.
That's from a different draft site.
He's another SS, but at least he has some speed and athletic ability. Still, if he has a SS mentality he won't help us much as a FS.
I'll pass.
