Although no final decision has been made, there’s a strong possibility that injured senior cornerback Jace Whittaker will return to Arizona for a fifth season.
Whittaker’s father, Jerry, believes that would be the best course of action for Jace, who has missed all but one game this season because of hamstring and elbow injuries.
“It’s an option for sure,” Jerry Whittaker told the Star in a phone interview Monday. “Personally, I think it’d be wise for him to use his redshirt and come back.”
Jerry Whittaker added that the ultimate decision is Jace’s to make.
Because he played in only one game, Jace Whittaker could use a redshirt and play a fifth season without having to deal with any NCAA red tape.
Whittaker, who has 24 career starts, is Arizona’s best cornerback when healthy. He missed the first two games this season because of a hamstring injury before hurting his left elbow on the first series against Southern Utah in Week 3.
Whittaker has dressed and warmed up for subsequent games but hasn’t been able to play. Jerry Whittaker said his son “can’t do a pushup” at this time, and UA coach Kevin Sumlin said Monday that he doesn’t expect Whittaker to return this season.
“We’re never gonna put a guy in harm’s way,” Sumlin said. “He wants to play, but with the strength in his arm right now, I just don’t see that happening this year.
“He does have another year. We just don’t feel good about putting him out there with one arm. He’s weak on one side. That could put him in an even more difficult situation.”
Jerry Whittaker said Jace has “the highest pain tolerance” and would play if he could. When he was 10 years old, Jace broke his arm after falling off his bike. He didn’t tell his parents for several hours.
“If he’s not playing, it’s because he’s hurt,” said Jerry Whittaker, a former pro baseball player.
Returning to Arizona isn’t Jace Whittaker’s only option. He could turn pro, although his training would be hampered if he isn’t fully healthy. He’s on track to graduate in December, meaning he could play for any other school next year as a grad transfer.
“I’m pretty sure he’s getting calls,” Jerry Whittaker said. “But Jace is a loyal kid. I’m pretty sure he wants to finish up at Arizona. He likes the new coaching staff.”
That feeling appears to be mutual.
“If the coaching staff thought otherwise,” Jerry Whittaker said, “I’d feel a certain kind of way.”
Jace Whittaker has not spoken to the media since training camp; injured players are off limits for interviews. He has not told his father that he is participating in the senior-day ceremony Saturday against Arizona State.
“Unless he gives me a call and says I’m walking,” Jerry Whittaker said, “that might be a sign (that he’s coming back).”
