Jordan Whittington Bio
Jordan Whittington is an American professional football wide receiver and kick returner for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He wears jersey number 88 and is listed at 6 feet 1 inch and 202 pounds. Whittington played his college football for the Texas Longhorns from 2019 through 2023 and entered the NFL after being selected in the 2024 draft.
Jordan Whittington Early Life and Background
Jordan Whittington was born on October 1, 2000, in Cuero, Texas, a small city southeast of San Antonio. He grew up in Cuero and attended Cuero High School, where he lettered in both football and basketball. Football, however, was where his athletic gifts stood out most, and he quickly developed into one of the most productive high school players in the region.
During his high school career at Cuero, Whittington completed all 14 of his passing attempts for 301 yards and two touchdowns. He added 104 carries for 1,100 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground, along with 164 receptions for 3,157 receiving yards and 40 receiving touchdowns. His senior year produced a signature moment when he broke Eric Dickerson’s 4A record by rushing for 334 yards in the 2018 State Championship game, leading Cuero to a 40-28 victory over defending champion Pleasant Grove at AT&T Stadium. He finished that contest with 377 total yards and six touchdowns, while also recording 11 tackles and an interception on defense, earning both offensive and defensive MVP honors.
Whittington was rated a four-star high school recruit and chose the University of Texas over offers from several major programs, including Alabama, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, TCU, and West Virginia.
Path to American Football
Whittington’s path to professional football began with his decorated high school career in Cuero, where his production as both a runner and receiver drew nationwide recruiting attention. His commitment to the Texas Longhorns gave him a path to one of the most visible programs in college football and a chance to develop at the highest collegiate level.
His true freshman season at Texas in 2019 began with a promising debut against Louisiana Tech, where he caught two passes for 17 yards before a torn adductor muscle forced him to redshirt the rest of the year. The injury cost him valuable development time but allowed him to preserve a year of eligibility, setting the stage for an extended run with the Longhorns.
Across multiple seasons in Austin, Whittington steadily worked his way into a larger offensive role despite a series of in-season injuries. By his senior campaign in 2023, he had become one of the more experienced playmakers on the Longhorns roster, and he announced his return for that final college season before declaring for the NFL.
Jordan Whittington Career
College Career at Texas (2019–2023)
Whittington spent five seasons with the Texas Longhorns from 2019 through 2023, battling injuries but continuing to grow as a versatile pass catcher. After redshirting his first year, he played five games and started two during the 2020 season, opening against UTEP and in the AT&T Red River Showdown against Oklahoma. He finished 2020 with 21 receptions for 206 yards, three rushes for 50 yards, and one rushing touchdown, though a season-ending injury required surgery.
In 2021, he played eight games and started three, setting career highs with seven receptions and 113 receiving yards in a single game, along with a 14-yard touchdown catch. He finished that year with 26 receptions for 377 yards and three touchdowns. His 2022 season was his most productive college year, as he appeared in 13 games with 12 starts and recorded 50 receptions for 652 yards and one touchdown, while also contributing on special teams with a kickoff return. After choosing to return for one more year, he wrapped up his Longhorns career in 2023.
NFL Draft and Rookie Season with the Los Angeles Rams (2024)
Whittington entered the 2024 NFL Draft and was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the sixth round with the 213th overall pick. He joined a Rams roster that has long valued versatile skill-position players and made the transition to the NFL as both a wide receiver and a kick returner.
As a rookie in 2024, Whittington played in 15 games with three starts and posted 22 receptions for 293 receiving yards while contributing on special teams. He returned 16 kickoffs for 453 yards, and his work in the return game earned him a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team as a kick returner. The recognition marked a strong start to his professional career and reinforced his value as a two-phase contributor.
Los Angeles Rams Second Season (2025)
In his second NFL season in 2025, Whittington played in all 17 regular season games and made six starts, further expanding his offensive role. He added 18 receptions for 171 receiving yards while continuing to handle kickoff return duties, gaining 434 yards on 17 kickoff returns.
Through his first two NFL seasons, Whittington has built a combined stat line of 40 receptions for 464 receiving yards, 887 kickoff return yards, and 24 rushing yards. His combination of experience on offense and consistency on special teams has made him a steady presence on the Rams roster heading into the next phase of his development.
Driving Style and Strengths
Whittington’s strengths as a professional football player center on his versatility, balance, and football instincts developed during a long college career. He is comfortable lining up at wide receiver and contributing in the return game, which gives the Los Angeles Rams flexibility in how they deploy him on game day. His experience navigating injuries in college also shaped his toughness and approach to the position.
Notable Events and Milestones
Whittington’s most notable on-field milestones include breaking Eric Dickerson’s 4A rushing record in the 2018 Texas State Championship game, where he earned both offensive and defensive MVP honors, and being named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2024 after a productive debut kickoff return campaign for the Los Angeles Rams.
Jordan Whittington Career Wins
Jordan Whittington’s professional resume features team-level recognition rather than a long list of individual awards, with his selection to the PFWA All-Rookie Team as a kick returner standing as his signature honor through two NFL seasons. At the high school level, he helped Cuero capture the 2018 Texas State Championship and was named both the offensive and defensive MVP of that game.
NFL Highlights
Across his first two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, Whittington has appeared in 32 regular season games and made nine starts. He has logged 40 career receptions for 464 receiving yards and returned 33 kickoffs for 887 yards. His most recent individual milestone was his 2025 campaign, in which he started a career-high six games while handling a steady role in the return game.
Other Wins and Performances
Whittington’s standout pre-professional performance came during his senior year at Cuero High School, when he rushed for 334 yards in the 2018 State Championship game to set a new Texas 4A record. He also delivered productive seasons at Texas, including a 2022 campaign with 50 receptions for 652 yards and one touchdown.
Jordan Whittington Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Whittington comes from an athletic family with professional football ties. He is the nephew of former National Football League running back Arthur Whittington, who played for the Oakland Raiders on their 1980 Super Bowl XV world championship team.
Personal Life
Whittington grew up in Cuero, Texas, and maintains ties to the community where he starred in high school. Public information about his immediate family beyond his uncle Arthur Whittington remains limited.
2025 Season Performance
Jordan Whittington’s 2025 season marked his second year with the Los Angeles Rams and his most expanded offensive role to date. He appeared in all 17 regular season games and made six starts, doubling his rookie-year start total while continuing to serve as a reliable pass catcher and kickoff returner.
On offense, he recorded 18 receptions for 171 receiving yards, and he added 434 kickoff return yards on 17 returns. Combined with his rookie totals, his career statistics entering the next phase stand at 40 receptions for 464 receiving yards, 887 kickoff return yards, and 24 rushing yards.
His performance in 2025 reinforced his standing on the Los Angeles Rams roster as a versatile contributor on offense and special teams. With another offseason of development ahead, Whittington is positioned to compete for a larger role in the team’s wide receiver rotation and to remain a featured option in the return game.
