S Donte Whitner (Buffalo Bills)

[BuckTwenty]

Today ESPiN went over who they thought the Cowboys would take with their first round pick (18th overall). Sounds as though Dallas wants to draft a DB, and the first guy Mr. Kiper brought up was Donte.

The real news was that Kiper didn't think the Cowboys would end up drafting "Lights Out"... because he said that he's not expecting Donte to be on the board by that point. He instead suggested the CB from South Carolina.

MAN has Donte shot up the charts! Good gracious!! He's got an amazing shot at being the 2nd Buckeye taken come draft day!

[NFBuck]

Originally Posted by BuckTwenty

MAN has Donte shot up the charts! Good gracious!! He's got an amazing shot at being the 2nd Buckeye taken come draft day!

And that speaks volumes about his abilities as well as his instincts and intelligence. I believe they said something about Donte being an extension of your DC when on the field. It's not very often that you see safeties going in the first round. I'll admit that when Donte first elected to go out I was a little skeptical, and thought he could benefit from another year, but boy is he proving me wrong. Good for Donte.

[BuckeyeKid789]

Originally Posted by BuckTwenty

"Lights Out"

I keep forgetting but who is "Lights Out"?

[NFBuck]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeKid789

I keep forgetting but who is "Lights Out"?

That would be Donte...

[808 Buck]

Explosive playmakers, who also have a great work ethic, have a way of rising up the charts. As everyone else has said, wish he was a Buck for one more year, but looks like things are working out well for Mr. Whitner.

[MililaniBuckeye]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeKid789

I keep forgetting but who is "Lights Out"?

Uh, the thread subject could be a big hint...

[BuckeyeKid789]

How was that nickname started?

[jimotis4heisman]

im not sure but im willing to wager when he hits its "lights out"

just a guess...

[osugrad21]

Toledo Blade

4/25

Article published Tuesday, April 25, 2006

OSU's Whitner a rising star on draft boards

COLUMBUS - Few prospects have climbed NFL draft boards as rapidly as Donte Whitner.
The 5-foot-11, 205-pound hard-hitting safety from Ohio State was been a booming success with pro scouts and general managers. Whitner is "one of the fastest risers on the board," said draft guru Mel Kiper, who has Whitner ranked No. 17 on his list of top 25 players. One mock draft has Whitner going to the secondary-starved Dallas Cowboys Saturday at No. 18 in the first round. Two have him being selected by the Chicago Bears at No. 26. Whitner is the second coming of former Buckeyes All-American Mike Doss - with better speed. Whitner, a junior who left school a year early, had a very good workout at the scouting combine in February. He wowed the NFL folks once again last month at Ohio State's pro day, running two blazing 40-yard dashes - 4.37 and 4.39. His overall numbers stack up quite well with Texas' highly touted safety Michael Huff, whom Kiper rates the eighth-best player in the draft. NFL types love Whitner's versatility. They believe he can play either safety position, or he could line up at cornerback in a pinch. Either way, Whitner should challenge for a starting job instantly as a rookie. "I'm hoping I'm going to be a first-round pick - that's what I'm aiming for," Whitner said. "I feel like I have all the tools and the desire to get the job done for whatever team ends up drafting me." Whitner is from Cleveland's Glenville High School, the football factory that also sent receiver/return man Ted Ginn Jr. and quarterback Troy Smith to Ohio State. This past season, Whitner was a full-time starter for the Buckeyes for the first time. He finished third on the team in tackles with 73 and added four sacks and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown. Whitner and Ohio State teammate Nate Salley, a safety expected to go on the second day, lived and trained together for a few months after the Buckeyes' Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame. Not once did they discuss which would be drafted higher. It's understandable. Although Whitner and Salley play the same position, they are different types of players. "Nate is more of a middle-of-the-field guy, a traditional safety," Whitner said. "I feel like I can do a number of good things, cover guys and play around in the box and do a lot of blitzing." Whitner is one of six Buckeyes who could be selected in the first round, including linebackers A.J. Hawk and Bobby Carpenter, receiver Santonio Holmes, cornerback Ashton Youboty and center Nick Mangold. The school record for first-rounders is four in 1971. Whitner admits he wouldn't mind kicking off his pro career with his hometown team - the Cleveland Browns. "It would be great to come back to Cleveland and play," he said. "Being here and playing high school ball here, going to college at Ohio State, and growing up here my whole life, it would be nice to stay here four or five years and help the Browns win." Cleveland has the 12th pick of the first round. The chances of the Browns drafting Whitner that high are pretty remote. Slow down, Donte. Not so fast. Your sudden climb is nearly complete. Ron Musselman is a Blade sports columnist.

[NFBuck]

Damn man, I have to admit I underestimated Donte going out early. I really thought he would be better off coming back for another year. Safety is a tough position to get drafted high...just doesn't happen often, ask Ernest Shazor. Now I'm just glowing with how high he has climbed. We all knew he was "Light Out" in C-Bus...now I can't wait to see what he does in the NFL.
tOSU=path to the NFL

[Piney]

Originally Posted by Piney

I just have a feeling he is one of those guys that after his workout his stock will go up compared to leveling off. Even though I love Doss and he was a great buckeye he was not an ideal NFL prospect. He had problems in coverage and that was a fact. Whitner on the other hand had a cornerback background from high school. Remember when we thought he was going to be the next great CB? Whitner will have more "measurables" than Doss.

Whitner will run a great time in the 40, they will find out how much of a student of the game he is with game film and the NFL scouts will go back and look at his games in another light. He will be the 3rd-4th safety off the board. Most likely a 2nd round pick but I have a feeling the grade he got back from the NFL was he was never going to be a 1st rounder due to his position but his stock could take a hit with a bad year.

I never think going to the NFL early is a mistake unless you don't get drafted. The reason people go to college is to get a better job once they leave college. Whitner is about to do that and I will still root him on and think of him as a great Buckeye.

Good Luck Donte!

And I said this the day after he declared... all yee had little faith.

And yes I think I pulled a muscle in my arm patting myself on the back.

[BuckWrestler141]

Originally Posted by Piney

And I said this the day after he declared... all yee had little faith.

And yes I think I pulled a muscle in my arm patting myself on the back.

Don't worry Piney I was about to pat my own back too because A month before he even declared I gurentee'd and offered to bet vCash that he'd be a first round pick. I was insulted for about a whole page for that prediction. I did also through out a blind prediction that AY would stay in the same post though.

[ChinaBuckeye]

Wow. . . top 10, I wondered why he even left at first. Congrats to him!

[ashlandbuck]

Good for you Donte!!!!
Once again, it's good to be a buckeye!
Current High school football player take notice!!!!

[Padraig]

Many congrats to you Donte "Lights Out" Whitner...I thought he'd go 2nd round but couldn't be happier to be wrong. Top ten...wow! Well done!