University of South Alabama Athletics

Jaguar Highlights: Listed as a starting defensive end at the end of the spring season ... Two of his four stops in the second spring scrimmage were behind the line, and he added another tackle for loss in the annual Red-Blue spring game ... Finished with three stops — all unassisted — in the opening scrimmage of the spring as well.

As A Junior (2018): Credited with 12 stops while appearing in all 12 contests ... That total included 1½ tackles for loss to go along with a pair of quarterback hurries and a pass defensed ... Made a season-high three stops — including an assist behind the line of scrimmage — in season opener against Louisiana Tech ... Posted two stops, with one for a loss of three yards, in defeat of Texas State ... Recorded a pair of solo tackles at Memphis and in annual Homecoming game against ULM ... Also finished with two stops at Arkansas State ... Made first career start in season-ending victory over Coastal Carolina, breaking up a pass while recording a quarterback pressure.

As A Sophomore (2017): Played in all but one game ... Recorded 10 total tackles including one for loss ... Credited with a career-high five stops at Georgia Southern ... Presented the coaches’ defensive line award after posting three tackles, with one of those behind the line, in victory over Alabama A&M.

As A Redshirt Freshman (2016): Appeared in four contests, including wins over nationally-ranked San Diego State in his collegiate debut, Presbyterian and New Mexico State in the regular-season finale.

As A Freshman (2015): Was redshirted his first season at the collegiate level.

High School Highlights: Received two stars from Rivals.com, Scout.com and 247Sports.com ... A four-year letterwinner in football, basketball and baseball at Dale County HS ... Selected first-team all-state in football his final two years ... DCHS reached the championship game of the state 3A playoffs for the first time in school history his senior season, finishing 14-1 ... Posted 105 total stops his final year, with 33 of those behind the line of scrimmage including 13 sacks, to be selected one of three finalists for the 3A Lineman-of-the-Year Award ... Forced five fumbles, recovered two others and also intercepted a pass he ran back 27 yards ... Recorded 10 or more tackles on three occasions highlighted by a career-high 12 at Slocumb HS ... Offensively, contributed 378 yards and six touchdowns on 44 carries and also caught nine passes for 161 yards and three more scores ... Helped the Warriors to an 11-1 record after winning a first-round state playoff contest when he was a junior as well as to postseason play his sophomore year ... Credited with 81 tackles — with 17½ of those for loss including five sacks — during the 2013 campaign, adding four forced fumbles, three passes broken up and a fumble recovery ... Rushed for 305 yards and four scores and supplied six receptions as well that year.

Personal: Full name is Jeffery Jerome Whatley ... Born June 23, 1996, in Midland City, Ala. ... Son of Jeffery Whatley and Ylanda Wesley ... Is the oldest of three children ... Favorite movie is “The Outsiders” ... Favorite team is the Cleveland Cavaliers ... Favorite athlete is Dont’a Hightower ... Favorite musical artist is Lil Wayne ... Favorite food is nachos ... Favorite subject is history ... Also had offers from Southern Mississippi, Troy, Georgia Southern and Florida International ... Is majoring in history and has a leisure studies minor.