University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Super Bowl Champion Jordan Whitehead Returns Home as Pitt’s Honorary Captain for Homecoming
10/22/2025 8:27:00 AM | Football
PITTSBURGH — One of Western Pennsylvania's own and a standout in Pitt's proud defensive tradition, Jordan Whitehead will return to Acrisure Stadium this Saturday as the Panthers' Honorary Captain for their Homecoming matchup against NC State.
A native of Monaca, Pa., and graduate of Central Valley High School, Whitehead starred for the Panthers from 2015–17, becoming one of the most dynamic two-way players in college football. In three seasons at Pitt, he totaled 234 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two interceptions, and 12 pass breakups while also rushing for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns on offense.
Whitehead's impact was immediate. The No. 1-ranked recruit in Pennsylvania in 2015 by Rivals and 247, he became the first defensive player since 1996 to earn ACC Rookie of the Year honors, sweeping both the league's Overall and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards. He also earned Third Team All-ACC and Freshman All-America recognition after leading the Panthers with 109 tackles, the most ever by a true freshman in program history.
He followed with Second Team All-ACC honors in 2016 and was again among Pitt's defensive leaders in 2017, punctuating his career with a game-sealing interception in a win at Duke. Over three seasons, Whitehead's relentless play and versatility made him a cornerstone of the Panthers' defense and a fan favorite.
Selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Whitehead has since built an impressive professional career. He has played for both the Buccaneers and New York Jets, amassing more than 550 tackles and 11 interceptions. In 2021, he helped the Buccaneers capture a Super Bowl LV Championship with a dominant defensive effort against Kansas City.
Whitehead will join the team for pregame ceremonies and participate in the coin toss as the Panthers' honorary captain.
