Jordan Whitehead Bio
Jordan Tyler Whitehead is an American professional football safety born on March 18, 1997, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He played college football for the Pittsburgh Panthers and was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Whitehead is recognized for his impressive skills on the field, having made significant contributions to his teams and achieving multiple accolades including a Super Bowl championship.
Early Life and Background
Jordan Whitehead attended Central Valley High School in Monaca, Pennsylvania. In addition to playing football, he also ran track. He played on both sides of the ball for Central Valley and was a starter since his freshman year. As a senior, Whitehead caught 24 passes for 471 yards along with rushing for 1,933 yards on 148 attempts. He totaled 35 touchdowns along with tallying 97 tackles and seven interceptions. Whitehead committed to play football for the Pittsburgh Panthers on October 3, 2014, choosing the Panthers over Penn State and West Virginia.
Path to American Football
As a true freshman in 2015, Whitehead played in all 13 of Pittsburgh’s games, starting in the last 12. Offensively, he carried the ball 12 times for 122 yards resulting in two touchdowns. On defense, he tallied 108 tackles, one interception, six pass deflections, and one fumble recovery. He was named the ACC’s Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association, along with being named to USA Today’s All-American Team. In 2016, Whitehead played in Pitt’s first nine games before missing their last three due to injury. In nine games, he compiled 65 tackles, one interception returned 59 yards for a touchdown, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble, earning a second-team All-ACC spot. As a junior in 2017, Whitehead missed Pitt’s first three games but played in the last nine, tallying 60 tackles, four pass deflections, and one interception. After the season, he declared for the 2018 NFL Draft, forgoing his senior year.
Jordan Whitehead Career
Early Career (2018-2021)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Whitehead in the fourth round (117th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. He was signed to a four-year contract worth $3.12 million. Throughout training camp, Whitehead competed for a role as a starting safety. He made his professional regular season debut in the Buccaneers’ season-opening victory against the New Orleans Saints. Whitehead earned his first career start in October 2018 and finished his rookie season with 76 combined tackles and four pass deflections in 15 games.
Breakthrough (2021)
Whitehead’s breakout moment came during the 2020 NFL season when he started all 16 games, marking his first full season. He finished the season with 76 combined tackles, four pass deflections, two interceptions, two sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished second in the NFC South with an 11-5 record, clinching a Wildcard berth. Whitehead started in Super Bowl LV, contributing to the Buccaneers’ victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Notable Works and Milestones
Jordan Whitehead is a Super Bowl champion, having played a significant role in the Buccaneers’ victory in Super Bowl LV. He has also earned accolades such as the ACC Rookie of the Year and Second-team All-ACC.
Jordan Whitehead Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Jordan Whitehead has received several nominations and accolades, including being named ACC Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2015.
Jordan Whitehead Awards Won
Jordan Whitehead has achieved notable awards, including being a Super Bowl champion in 2021, showcasing his talent and contributions to his teams.
Jordan Whitehead Family
Jordan Whitehead is a cousin of fellow former New York Jet and Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Darrelle Revis.
Personal Life
Information regarding Jordan Whitehead’s personal life is limited, but he is known to have a strong connection with his family and has made a name for himself in professional football.
