Whitaker didn’t ask for an invitation to the game, he announced his arrival in fine fashion early in the 2026 season. The Glidden-Ralston freshman led the team with 16.0 tackles through two weeks, ranking second among all the state’s ninth-graders in stops. His 13 solo stops highlighted his impact. He also ranked second on the squad with six receptions, had a pair of two-point conversions, threw a 45-yard touchdown on his lone pass and returned kicks. Whitaker’s projectable frame provides him with plenty of room to grow into a sizable ceiling. His athleticism and positional versatility enhance his stock as a football prospect.