After year outside NFL looking in, CB Whiteside used UFL as springboard to opportunity with hometown Lions

(Photo Courtesy the Detroit Lions)

Allen Park — We tend to glamorize the lives of professional athletes — the money, fame and perks that come with reaching the pinnacle of your profession — but the challenges of existing on that world's fringes often get ignored.

Cornerback Nick Whiteside understands this well.

Playing collegiately for Saginaw Valley State, Whiteside’s NFL journey was never going to be easy. Regardless, as a first-team All-American and the conference’s Defensive Back of the Year in 2022, it wasn’t surprising that a team was willing to add the six-foot, 200-pounder to their offseason roster to see what he could offer.

Whiteside signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted rookie in 2023. He performed well enough in practice and the preseason to secure a spot on the team’s practice squad, even earning a late-season promotion and a pair of regular-season appearances.

That momentum was short-lived.

The Commanders drafted cornerbacks with their first two picks the year they signed Whiteside, then added two more in the following draft, including former Michigan Wolverine Mike Sainristil. More critical to Whiteside's future in Washington, the franchise overhauled its leadership in 2024, bringing on a new general manager, head coach and coordinators. That meant new schemes and the departure of anyone invested in the young defensive back’s development.

At the end of his second training camp, Whiteside was let go by the Commanders and wasn't even extended an opportunity to remain on the practice squad.

He did what you’re supposed to do in that situation. Whiteside worked out, relentlessly, staying ready so he wouldn’t have to get ready for his next opportunity. But it didn’t come during the 2024 season. He had tryouts with Green Bay and Arizona, but both passed on signing him.

He wouldn’t get a chance to put on the pads again until the UFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks came calling.

The minimum salary in the NFL last year was $795,000. Even as a member of a practice squad, you can earn $225,000 if you stick the entire season. It’s considerably less to play in the UFL, where the league minimum was $55,000 in 2024. That's a little more than one NFL game check.

Whiteside didn’t care. The chance to produce meaningful tape was more important to his ambitions than the paycheck. Plus, the Battlehawks allowed him to showcase some versatility he hadn’t previously shown, logging time both outside and in the slot.

“It felt nice,” Whiteside said. “It was just a blessing because there I was able to play nickel and corner. And I don't think a lot of people know that I can play both spots.”

Playing this spring served its intended purpose, putting Whiteside back on NFL radars. Carolina called him in for a tryout shortly after the UFL season ended. However, like Green Bay and Arizona the year before, the visit didn’t result in a contract. But when the injury bug bit Detroit in late July, Whiteside got a call, not for a tryout, but to sign.

He couldn’t believe it. His hometown team, which plays 30 minutes south of where he had starred at Auburn Hills Avondale High School, was going to give him a shot. There's no way he could have realized there are nine others like him, Michigan natives, on Detroit's roster.

Whiteside hopped in his car at 4:30 a.m. and couldn’t stop thanking God as he drove to get a physical. In four hours, he’d be on an NFL practice field for the first time in almost a year.

“I took my physical, signed a contract, and then I was right at practice. It's been a quick process, but I'm just taking it day by day.”

The harsh reality of Whiteside’s addition is that he enters as the 90th man on a roster that will be trimmed to 53 in a few short weeks. That’s not a lot of time to make an impression and hurdle guys on the depth chart who have been here for months, sometimes years.

Then, during one of his first reps, one of Detroit’s assistants barked at him to do a better job hustling through the whistle. It wasn’t a big deal, a reminder of standards he couldn’t have known. Still, there’s a tendency to overthink every moment when there’s enhanced urgency.

“(Defensive backs coach DeShea Townsend) He was like, ‘You never want to put that on film,’” Whitesaid said. “That was a bad first impression, you know? I wanted to bounce back and just show DeShea and the rest of the coaches that I'm a competitor. I'm kind of a tall, lanky guy, but I do well in coverage. I'm just trying to show them that I can do it all and whatever they need me to play, I'll play it.”

Whiteside immediately bounced back during the next one-on-one rep. When his physicality caused the receiver to lose his footing, the defender found himself in position to intercept the pass in the end zone.

Each subsequent day, Whiteside has continued to flash his playmaking, particularly in coverage, where he’s gotten a hand on multiple passes. On Monday, he impressively locked up veteran Tim Patrick twice, netting a PBU on a comeback route.

The bottom of the roster can be a revolving door of injury replacements, but Whiteside is making sure you know who is currently wearing No. 38.

“I feel great right now, honestly, from the on-field and mental aspects of the game, just because I just played a season,” Whitesid said, referring to his stint with the Battlehawks. “I feel good mentally and physically. Just trying to do what the coaches want me to do. They want guys to play fast and free. If I see something, go get it.”

Whiteside is quietly benefiting from a depleted depth chart. A little more than a week into his tenure, there are already two cornerbacks newer to the roster than him. With starter Terrion Arnold nursing a hamstring injury, Ennis Rakestraw likely out for weeks, potentially months because of a shoulder injury, and DJ Reed expected to be held out of this week’s preseason game against Atlanta, there should be expanded opportunities for Whiteside to make an impression.

“Whether I get more opportunities or not get more opportunities, I'm going to make sure I stay ready and just keep the same mindset,” Whiteside said. “I don't want to be expecting things and then get it all in my head.”

Beyond defense, he's also hopeful he'll get to show what he can do on special teams. He feels confident working as a punt gunner, in various roles on punt return, including a jammer on the outside, and both kickoff groups.

“I can pretty much play on every special teams group,” he said. “I'm just really just a plug-and-play guy, honestly. That's what I'm just trying to display.”

Who knows what the future holds for Whiteside. Coming off the street mid-camp to earn one of 16 practice squad jobs would be a massive accomplishment. The Lions could end up keeping two between him, Dicaprio Bootle, Tyson Russell and Erick Hallett.

Whiteside has already dealt with a career’s worth of disappointment. It’s hardened him mentally. He’s just trying to make plays and appreciate every day he gets to put on the cleats and play for an NFL team, especially this NFL team.