In Saturday's Red-White Game, transfer defensive lineman Jahsear Whittington made a statement by sacking quarterback Anthony Colandrea on the final play of the first half. This play not only set the offense back by seven yards but also gave Whittington some bragging rights over Colandrea, who had previously bested the defense earlier in the spring.
Whittington, who transferred from Pittsburgh, isn't shy about his confidence. Known as "Bread," a nickname he adopted from Jalen Carter’s social media while at Imhotep Institute in Pennsylvania, Whittington has embraced the moniker and made it his own. "People tell me you can't give yourself a nickname, but I changed the narrative on that one," he said.
The Huskers are eager to see more of Whittington's impactful plays this season. At Pitt, he showed promise, playing in 11 games and starting in the bowl game, recording 11 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a sack. Since arriving in Nebraska, Whittington has focused on gaining weight while maintaining his agility, adding about 15 pounds to his frame.
Whittington is excited about his role in Rob Aurich's defense, which emphasizes aggressive play and capitalizes on his strengths. "We're attacking no matter what," he explained. "I like what we're doing, allowing me to get a one-on-one and show my athletic ability."
His teammates have taken notice of his relentless energy and skill. Safety Jamir Conn praised Whittington, saying, "Dude is a freak.
His motor is insane. People might question his size, but if you can ball, you can ball, and that guy can go."
During the second quarter sack, Nebraska utilized its 'Cheetah' package, designed to create favorable matchups for pass rushers like Whittington. This strategy, inspired by San Diego State’s success, is something Nebraska is keen to replicate.
Whittington summed it up by saying, "That's only us being with each other for 15 practices. That's something I'm really excited for." The Huskers are clearly banking on Whittington's talent and drive to make a significant impact this season.