K-State’s Cody Whitehair looks to impress NFL teams at Senior Bowl
Cody Whitehair grew up in Abilene, Kan., about 158 miles from Arrowhead Stadium.
“I really didn’t have a favorite NFL team, (but) growing up in Kansas, the Chiefs are always on so I enjoyed watching them,” Whitehair said.
Whitehair will soon have a clear-cut favorite. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound offensive lineman, who was a four-year starter for Kansas State from 2012 to 2015, has spent the last week trying to impress NFL coaches and scouts at the Senior Bowl.
Whitehair, who is ranked as the No. 1 guard in the draft according to CBS Sports, has enjoyed the competition. He has also appreciated the opportunity to see how he measures up against other big-name offensive linemen such as Texas Tech tackle Le’Raven Clark, Baylor tackle Spencer Drango, Missouri center Evan Boehm and Missouri guard Connor McGovern.
“It’s good to finally meet them personally and really get to know them,” Whitehair said.
Whitehair says most of the teams that he’s spoken with this week primarily use zone-blocking schemes. He did both zone and man blocking at K-State.
“Each club has their differences,” said Whitehair, a left tackle the last two years. “I’ve been talking to them about playing guard, but if they need me to play center or tackle, I could do that as well.”
Terez A. Paylor: 816-234-4489, @TerezPaylor
Scouting report: K-State OT/OG Cody Whitehair
Whitehair played left tackle for Kansas State and shows the necessary punch, strength, and speed combination to make it stick at the next level. However, not having the best measurable may make him a better prospect at guard for the NFL. Whitehair has brute strength and hand placement that allows him to control defenders and get to the next level in the running game. He plays with a certain nastiness that you love to see in an offensive lineman and could be a top-50 pick in the upcoming draft. Whitehair’s versatility and ability to do everything well as a left tackle earned him his Senior Bowl invitation, and he’ll look to leave as Mobile’s best blocker.
Eric Galko, OptimumScouting.com
Terez A. Paylor, tpaylor@kcstar.com
This story was originally published January 28, 2016 at 10:12 PM with the headline "K-State’s Cody Whitehair looks to impress NFL teams at Senior Bowl."