STILLWATER — Chad Whitener walked away from a Cal football scholarship, or the equivalent of $56,670… per year.
Quite a step, a leap — of faith — actually.
Whitener's jump to Oklahoma State came with no promises or guarantees of playing time or assistance, just an opportunity to walk-on with the Cowboys, all fees attached, although the hope of a more prosperous future clearly was evident.
Now in his second year on campus as a redshirt sophomore, Whitener is relishing in the payoff.
First, he was placed on scholarship in August. Then on Saturday, he was thrust into a prominent role, replacing an injured Ryan Simmons at middle linebacker against Kansas State.