Draft:Andrew Whitaker

Andrew Whitaker
Born	(1999-01-16) January 16, 1999
Education	Washington University in St. Louis
Occupation	Former professional football player

Andrew Whitaker (born January 16, 1999) is an American former professional football cornerback and former collegiate track and field athlete. He played football and track and field at Washington University in St. Louis, where he earned NCAA Division III All-American honors, won the NCAA Division III 60-meter hurdles championship in 2022, won the 4×400-meter relay championship in 2019, and was a member of Washington University's men's track and field team that won the 2022 NCAA Division III indoor national championship.

Whitaker played 39 games for Washington University's football team from 2017 through 2021, starting 30, and recorded 145 tackles, 23 passes defensed and seven interceptions. He later played for the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL before signing with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2023.

College career

Track and field

Whitaker competed in track and field at Washington University in St. Louis while also playing football. He competed primarily in the hurdles and relay events and earned NCAA Division III All-American honors in multiple events.

In 2019, Whitaker was a member of Washington University's 4×400-meter relay team that won the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championship. The team recorded a school-record time of 3:09.77.

At the 2021 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Whitaker ran the opening leg of Washington University's 4×400-meter relay in the qualifying round and recorded a 45.789-second split.

In 2022, Whitaker competed as a graduate student and won the NCAA Division III indoor 60-meter hurdles championship in 7.943 seconds. He also ran on Washington University's 4×400-meter relay team, which finished second at the championships and earned All-American honors.

Washington University's men's track and field team won the 2022 NCAA Division III indoor team championship. Whitaker scored 10 points for Washington University by winning the 60-meter hurdles and also competed on the 4×400-meter relay team.

Football

Whitaker played defensive back for Washington University's football team from 2017 through 2021. He appeared in 39 games and started 30, recording 145 tackles, 23 passes defensed and seven interceptions.

In 2021, Whitaker started all 11 games at defensive back, recorded 46 tackles and led Washington University with four interceptions, including a pick-six. He was named First Team All-CCIW and was selected as an Academic All-American and Academic All-District honoree.

Whitaker received the Fritz Pollard Trophy in 2021. The award recognizes college football players for achievements on and off the field and for leadership and commitment to diversity and inclusion.

He was a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy in 2020 and 2021. He was also a two-time Academic All-American, a two-time Academic All-District selection and a three-time Academic All-CCIW honoree.

Professional career

After completing his collegiate football career, Whitaker pursued professional football. He attended the University of Missouri's Pro Day in 2022 and later played for the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL.

Seattle Seahawks

Whitaker signed with the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent on July 26, 2023.

According to a report by NFL reporter Aaron Wilson, Whitaker measured 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m), weighed 192 pounds (87 kg), recorded a 4.37-second 40-yard dash, had a 78-inch wingspan and 10-inch hands, and recorded a 10-foot-6-inch broad jump and 18 repetitions of 225 pounds on the bench press.

Whitaker competed for playing time at cornerback and on special teams during the Seahawks' 2023 training camp. He suffered a patellar tendon injury during a team mock game in August 2023 and was waived with an injury designation. After clearing waivers, he reverted to the Seahawks' injured reserve list.

The Seahawks released Whitaker on July 25, 2024.

Academics and community service

Whitaker studied biomedical engineering at Washington University in St. Louis and graduated with an undergraduate degree in the field in 2021. He subsequently competed as a graduate student at Washington University.

In 2020, Whitaker was selected to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, which recognizes college football players for community service. His community work included helping distribute medical supplies to schools in the St. Louis area during the COVID-19 pandemic, working with the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of St. Louis and the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement, and participating in Global Brigades in Honduras.

Whitaker was also an Annika Rodriguez Scholar and a Bob and Gerry Virgil Civic Scholar at Washington University.

Awards and honors

• NCAA Division III national champion, 60-meter hurdles (2022)
• NCAA Division III national champion, 4×400-meter relay (2019)
• Member of the NCAA Division III men's indoor track and field national championship team (2022)
• First Team All-CCIW (2021)
• Second Team All-CCIW (2019)
• Fritz Pollard Trophy (2021)
• Allstate AFCA Good Works Team (2020)
• Two-time Academic All-American
• Two-time Academic All-District
• Three-time Academic All-CCIW
• Annika Rodriguez Scholar
• Bob and Gerry Virgil Civic Scholar