University of Tennessee Athletics
Whiteside's Versatility Aids Vol Linebacking Corps
November 21, 2002 | Football
Nov. 21, 2002
KNOXVILLE (AP) - When weakside linebacker Kevin Simon got hurt, Keyon Whiteside moved over from his starting position in the middle.
When Robert Peace broke his foot, Whiteside moved back to the middle.
Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis says he's lucky to have Whiteside in the linebacking corps this season to make up for a slew of injuries.
"It's good to have someone who has that flexibility to play at more than one position," Chavis said. "Without that we'd be in a world of hurt."
Whiteside, a senior from Forest City, N.C., started in 11 of 13 games last season as an outside linebacker. This year, he's started five games as the middle linebacker and five games on the weak side.
His 86 tackles ranks second on the team behind strongside linebacker Eddie Moore's 89. Each has three sacks, while Whiteside also has picked off two passes.
"With Keyon, he's really a true middle linebacker, but he has done a good job for us outside when he's had to be out there," Chavis said. "His willingness to do whatever is the kind of attitude that you look for in your players."
Injuries have plagued the Vols this season, and the linebackers have been hit the hardest. Kevin Burnett, who started at the weak side, tore a knee ligament in the season opener. Simon replaced him but broke his ankle in the fourth game.
Whiteside took Simon's place for five games until last week, when he returned to the middle to take over for Peace.
Redshirt freshman Jason Mitchell now starts on the weak side with Whiteside in the middle and Moore on the other side.
"We started off with a lot of depth, and now we're struggling to keep three people on the field," Whiteside said. "No matter what the injuries are, we just have to stay the course. At first it was tough seeing guys get hurt. It just kept happening, and I got used to it."
Whiteside said he's only suffered "bumps and bruises."
"For the most part, I'm doing well," he said.
Whiteside has already been through a knee injury.
He went down in the 2000 South Carolina game with a torn ACL as he was pushing Dominique Stevenson for the starting middle position. Whiteside missed 2001 spring practice to recover.
Defensive end Omari Hand said Whiteside, his roommate, has handled this year's injury problems well.
"He just wanted to play. I don't think it affects him too much," Hand said.
Moore and Whiteside have helped Mitchell get acclimated since he arrived on campus last season.
"I feel comfortable talking to either one of those guys," Mitchell said.
Whiteside isn't sure about his football future, saying he may attend the NFL combine in February.
If not, he plans to work in his major field. Whiteside graduates in December with a degree in sociology and a concentration in criminal justice.
More than earning his de-gree and playing football, FORMTEXT Whiteside said his top memory will be his teammates.
"There have been a lot of winning seasons around here and one or two rough seasons, but through it all, we hung to-gether and stayed tough," he said.
