Chicago Bears Rookies: The Future Is Bright
By Flo Ottis
![May 25, 2016; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Leonard Floyd (94) during the OTA practice at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports May 25, 2016; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Leonard Floyd (94) during the OTA practice at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fbeargoggleson-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F08-2F9308977-nfl-chicago-bears-ota-850x560-a1de3b065c3d1d8c748c7737eebf1aebc842373086b757374dc54d5c57691f75.jpg)
C Cody Whitehair
The former Kansas State Wildcat has been praised for his versatility for quite a while now. In college he played RG, LG, and LT. Now he’s occupying the starting C position in Chicago. Admittedly, I was skeptical when John Fox and company made the somewhat surprising decision to move the rookie OL to center (especially after they signed veteran Josh Sitton), but the 2nd-round pick is coming along just fine. And even though I didn’t see the urgency to push a rookie into a position he had never played before, I do admit that I’m positively surprised by what Whitehair has shown so far. After Week 5, Pro Football Focus has the rookie ranked 6th among all centers, and on runs through A-gaps, Bears running backs are averaging 6.8 yards per carry.
His strong hands, footwork, and football IQ are certainly making this transition a lot easier than I thought it would be.
When you get thrown to the wolves like that and a few shaky snaps were all it took for you to learn and shine, you are indeed the future at center.