Noah Whittington is a 5’8, 203-pound running back from Fort Valley, Georgia. A three-star prospect out of high school, Whittington began his collegiate career at Western Kentucky University where he played from 2020-2022. As a freshman, Whittington primarily contributed on special teams, serving on the kickoff coverage unit. In his second season at WKU, he took a significant leap, leading the team in rushing yards with 617 yards on 101 carries and two touchdowns. He finished third in Conference USA with an impressive 6.1 yards per rush average, and recorded the eighth-longest run in program history with an 86-yard touchdown run against Appalachian State in the Boca Raton Bowl. In 2022, Whittington transferred to the University of Oregon, appearing in all 13 games, making one start, and finishing second on the team behind Bucky Irving with a career high 779 rushing yards on 139 carries and five touchdowns. He served as a pivotal role player for the Ducks, ranking ninth among Pac-12 running backs with 59.92 rushing yards per game, while also seeing an expanded role in the passing attack. His 2023 campaign was cut short after Whittington suffered a season-ending ACL injury just four games into the season, resulting in a redshirt year. Whittington returned fully healthy in 2024, playing all 14 games, rushing 118 times for 540 yards and six touchdowns. He logged 440 total snaps (364 on offense, 76 on special teams), earning a 72.2 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus. In his final season at Oregon, Whittington sat atop the depth chart and posted a career-high 829 yards on 129 carries.
Whittington possesses a compact, well-proportioned frame with strong lower-body density and a low center of gravity. His build supports both inside zone work and perimeter concepts. He pairs good speed with strong acceleration, allowing him to shoot through gaps and reach the second level effectively. A shifty runner with effective lateral movement, Whittington navigates traffic well and maintains balance through contact. Whittington’s extended collegiate experience is reflected in his strong recognition of run concepts and defensive fronts. He processes quickly, identifies open lanes decisively, and operates with patience and discipline. His runs feature minimal wasted movement, and he consistently makes smart decisions with the football. He runs with toughness and competitiveness, using his size and leverage effectively while embracing contact.
One of Whittington’s strongest traits is his patience in zone and gap schemes. He effectively follows his blockers and understands when to burst through gaps. His change of direction is efficient, and he plants and cuts without hesitation. He keeps his eyes downfield, times his cuts well, and can reach the perimeter before accelerating upfield – traits that give him the ability to generate explosive plays. In the passing game, Whittington displays reliable hands and the ability to transition quickly into a runner after the catch. While he has not been heavily featured as a receiver, he has shown enough comfort to project situational upside. As a runner, he relies more on elusiveness and slippage than brute strength. He is unlikely to overpower defenders but compensates with balance, leverage, and lower-body drive. Pass protection remains an area for growth. Though Whittington demonstrates toughness and willingness as a blocker, he can struggle with assignment recognition and uncertainty.
Scheme and Team Fit: Whittington projects best in a zone or gap/power scheme that allows him to showcase his patience, vision, and cutting ability. In gap concepts, he can follow pulling guards through defined lanes and attack downhill. In zone schemes, he excels at reading leverage and choosing the most advantageous crease.
The Baltimore Ravens represent a compatible schematic fit. Baltimore utilizes both zone and power run concepts at one of the highest rates in the NFL, frequently employing pulling guards to create downhill lanes – an environment that would complement Whittington’s traits and play style.
NFL Player Comparison: Kimani Vidal (Los Angeles Chargers)
Vidal shares a nearly identical build (5 ‘8, 215 pounds) and a similar stylistic profile. Both are compact, with strong lateral ability and good contact balance, using their lower-body drive to push through traffic. Whittington’s decisive gap pressing and interior vision mirror many of the traits present in Vidal’s game.
Projection: Backup/Role player, Special Teamer
It’s unlikely Whittington will assume control of an NFL backfield as a rookie. However, he projects as a change-of-pace option with situational receiving upside. It’s also worth noting he has experience as a kick returner, where he returned eight kickoffs for 232 yards and a touchdown in his 2024 season – potentially adding value there as well.
Grade and Round Projection: 4.37 grade with a curve (4.57 initial) projecting as a day three pick in rounds 6-7 or becoming an undrafted free agent. The slight grade deduction reflects concerns surrounding age and injury history. Spending six years in school while suffering an ACL injury may factor into front office evaluations. Nevertheless, Whittington’s experience and mentality make him a dependable depth option with upside in the right system.
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