Cody Whitehair, OL Kansas State: 2016 NFL Draft scouting report
2016 NFL Draft scouting report for Cody Whitehair, OL, Kansas State — one of the most versatile offensive linemen in the class and a top 50 player overall…
At A Glance…
Name: Cody Whitehair
Ht: 6-4
Wt: 305
Class: Senior
Hometown: Abilene, KS
Awards and Key Stats
2012 Freshman All-American
2013 2nd team All-Big 12
2014 2nd team All-Big 12
2015 1st team All-Big 12
Kansas State offensive co-MVP (2015)
Started 50-of-51 career games
Prospect Video
Translatable NFL Traits
Durability
Starting 50 of 51 games in college is remarkable, no matter what way you spin it. Whitehair has been consistent, earning All-Conference honors three years in a row as well as a freshman All-American nod in his first bit of playing time.
I will preach this as long as I’m talking about football — durability is arguably my top requirement for an offensive lineman. To do a thankless job in the trenches, you have to be tough, and this is one tough dude. NFL teams love experience for offensive lineman and this is one of the nation’s best.
Versatility
One of the most versatile players in the country, regardless of classification or position. Whitehair can play almost any position on the offensive line and, in fact, has been an All-Big 12 performer at a number of them. He’s playing left tackle as a senior, but many analysts and pundits feel he will translate better to the interior at the next level due to his frame being nearly ideal for an NFL offensive guard.
I’m sure it won’t matter to Whitehair, but he’s doing a phenomenal job as the left tackle for Kansas State as well.
In an interview in September, 2015, Whitehair indicated his preference was to play inside, but who knows how much that could have changed over the last four months? He’s done a great job as left tackle and certainly NFL teams are going to consider him for both.
Veteran swagger
I don’t really know what else to call this, maybe you can help me out, but Whitehair carries a veteran swagger, almost as though he’s already an NFL player playing with the boys still. Just look at the technique and ease with which he plays…
The more you watch of this guy playing football, the more it looks like it’s just something that comes second nature to him.
Setting a wide base vs. rush
Look at this clinic on setting a wide base and sliding your feet in pass protection here…
Look at him here chip the inside rush, and then re-set his base and get outside to absorb the contact from the edge player. This is another case of textbook, clinic worthy pass protection…
Overall impressions
Cody Whitehair doesn’t get the type of national hype he deserves, but this looks to me like a long-time starter in the NFL. Heck, he already seems to play like an NFL starter as a senior in college. He is so well-coached, so disciplined in his technique, and so versatile that all 32 NFL teams should be lining up to get him come time for the 2016 NFL Draft. He might not be a first round selection, but he easily could be and reminds me a little bit of Zack Martin coming out of Notre Dame.
He’s a sure-fire starter as a rookie and a guy that will play in the league for a decade plus.