Jordan Whitehead has decided to leave the University of Pittsburgh early to declare for the NFL draft.

Whitehead is following right behind Quadree Henderson. Fans are still assuming Brian O’Neil will make the same decision very shortly.

Some reports are saying Whitehead will be getting drafted late second or early third round.

I expect that to slightly increase after the combine.

Whitehead never really killed the stat sheet. In fact, if you never saw him play, you probably wouldn’t be impressed with his numbers.

But he has the “it” factor.

You could tell from high school this kid was special. And that fact that he decided to compete at the Division 1 level at Pitt was a gift. A gift with a big bow on it.

The only thing decreasing his stock is his size.

He’s slightly undersized for an NFL safety. However, Jordan put on a good amount of mass this past off-season and got a lot bigger.

But size can be made up with talent and the will to succeed. Both of which, Whitehead possesses.

Every week he was the best athlete on the field. Bar none. He has a nose for the football and a drive that will separate him from the rest of the safeties in the draft.

So where do I see Whitehead getting drafted?

Well, in my opinion, two of the best college safeties are right here in the state of Pennsylvania. Marcus Allen of Penn State, and Jordan Whitehead.

Minkah Fitzpatrick is probably the best defensive back in the country.

And you can’t forget Derwin James of Florida State.

But I would take Whitehead over James. I would put Whitehead as the third best safety in the draft.

Again, I expect him to open up a lot of eyes at the combine and really help his own cause with his draft status.

In the years to come, everyone will know who Jordan Whitehead is.

You know that special feeling you get when LeSean McCoy announces his name on prime-time games followed by “Pitt Panthers” with a big smile on his face?

It feels good to see a former Panther KILLING it in the NFL.

I expect Jordan Whitehead to make a similar impact at the level. Maybe not as good as Shady is, but very similar.

Good luck, Jordan. You deserve it.

Hail to Pitt.

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