2015 (Redshirt Junior): Played in seven games as a defensive reserve and on special teams … Recorded seven tackles including four solo stops … Tallied a season-high three tackles in the season-opener against Mars Hill (Sept. 5).
2014 (Redshirt Sophomore): Played in 11 of the team’s 12 games with one start coming in the season-opener at USF (Aug. 30) … Recorded 13 tackles including 10 solo stops, securing a career-best three solo hits twice … Tallied a career-high five tackles and a pass break-up at USF … Forced and recovered a second quarter fumble on a punt in the home win over VMI (Nov. 15) … Playing for the Purple squad, credited with four tackles and one pass break-up in WCU’s annual Spring Game.
2013 (Redshirt Freshman): Played in all 12 games as a defensive reserve and on special teams ... Credited with four total tackles including three solo stops ... Tallied two hits in the season finale against Appalachian State ... Led the team with three fumble recoveries, ranking tied for second in the Southern Conference in the category (3, 0.25/gm) ... Recovered fumbles against Virginia Tech, Georgia Southern and Appalachian State - all three games coming on the road.
2012 (Freshman): Redshirted ... Recovered a fumble for the lone takeaway in WCU's annual Spring Game, emerging from a scrum with the ball after John McBeth had punched it loose following a short pass completion.
Prior to Western Carolina: Three-year varsity letter winner who was twice named All-AVCA and twice tabbed to the All-Region team as a junior and senior ... Rushed for 322 yards and six touchdowns as a senior while also hauling in 23 passes for 264 yards and two TDs ... Defensively, recorded 63 tackles including 41 solo stops with four interceptions as a senior as a part of earning team MVP honors ... Earned the Matthew Hardeman Award and was a HBCU All-Star in his final season in high school ... Also ran track as a prep, earning Most Improved Runner.
Personal: Full name is Damian Raynard Whitaker ... Is the son of Reginald and Marian Whitaker ... Has three cousins who play football at Sewanee University, Villanova and Ole Miss.
