Toledo Blade
4/25
Article published Tuesday, April 25, 2006
OSU's Whitner a rising star on draft boards
COLUMBUS - Few prospects have climbed NFL draft boards as rapidly as Donte Whitner.
The 5-foot-11, 205-pound hard-hitting safety from Ohio State was been a booming success with pro scouts and general managers. Whitner is "one of the fastest risers on the board," said draft guru Mel Kiper, who has Whitner ranked No. 17 on his list of top 25 players. One mock draft has Whitner going to the secondary-starved Dallas Cowboys Saturday at No. 18 in the first round. Two have him being selected by the Chicago Bears at No. 26. Whitner is the second coming of former Buckeyes All-American Mike Doss - with better speed. Whitner, a junior who left school a year early, had a very good workout at the scouting combine in February. He wowed the NFL folks once again last month at Ohio State's pro day, running two blazing 40-yard dashes - 4.37 and 4.39. His overall numbers stack up quite well with Texas' highly touted safety Michael Huff, whom Kiper rates the eighth-best player in the draft. NFL types love Whitner's versatility. They believe he can play either safety position, or he could line up at cornerback in a pinch. Either way, Whitner should challenge for a starting job instantly as a rookie. "I'm hoping I'm going to be a first-round pick - that's what I'm aiming for," Whitner said. "I feel like I have all the tools and the desire to get the job done for whatever team ends up drafting me." Whitner is from Cleveland's Glenville High School, the football factory that also sent receiver/return man Ted Ginn Jr. and quarterback Troy Smith to Ohio State. This past season, Whitner was a full-time starter for the Buckeyes for the first time. He finished third on the team in tackles with 73 and added four sacks and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Whitner and Ohio State teammate Nate Salley, a safety expected to go on the second day, lived and trained together for a few months after the Buckeyes' Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame. Not once did they discuss which would be drafted higher. It's understandable. Although Whitner and Salley play the same position, they are different types of players. "Nate is more of a middle-of-the-field guy, a traditional safety," Whitner said. "I feel like I can do a number of good things, cover guys and play around in the box and do a lot of blitzing." Whitner is one of six Buckeyes who could be selected in the first round, including linebackers A.J. Hawk and Bobby Carpenter, receiver Santonio Holmes, cornerback Ashton Youboty and center Nick Mangold. The school record for first-rounders is four in 1971. Whitner admits he wouldn't mind kicking off his pro career with his hometown team - the Cleveland Browns. "It would be great to come back to Cleveland and play," he said. "Being here and playing high school ball here, going to college at Ohio State, and growing up here my whole life, it would be nice to stay here four or five years and help the Browns win." Cleveland has the 12th pick of the first round. The chances of the Browns drafting Whitner that high are pretty remote. Slow down, Donte. Not so fast. Your sudden climb is nearly complete.
Ron Musselman is a Blade sports columnist.
I did also through out a blind prediction that AY would stay in the same post though. :(
