Rams WR Cooper Kupp Calls Former Longhorn Jordan Whittington's Growth 'Impressive'

Texas Ex Jordan Whittington, who was selected 213th overall in the sixth round of the NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams, has been lauded for his progress as a rookie by his teammate, former Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp.

“Yeah man he competes,” Kupp said during the Rams' 13-9 preseason victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday. “You saw him come out to OTAs and heard so many good things as soon as we drafted him. The number of people that reached out and were just like "Man, Jordan Whittington, I know him from so and so, he’s an awesome guy you’re going to love him." Seeing him just grow and show up to training camp ready to go. His growth in a very short amount of time has been extremely impressive.”

His growth as a receiver has been evident as Whittington has totaled 11 catches on 18 targets for 126 yards across two preseason games. If that production wasn’t impressive enough, none of it was with starting quarterback Matthew Stafford throwing to him or Kupp on the field to attract attention from the defense, as Rams Head Coach Sean McVay has continued his annual policy of sitting key starters during the preseason.

During the Rams’ first preseason game, a 13-12 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Aug. 11, Whittington led the team in catches and receiving yards but made as many headlines because of his comments about the team’s receiver room, which features a pair of Pro Bowl receivers in Kupp and second-year phenom Puka Nacua, while he was mic’d up.

"I ain't ever been in no receiver room like this,” Whittington told fourth-year receiver Tyler Johnson. “Everybody close, everybody truly care."

Later in the victory over the Cowboys, Whittington was seen on the sidelines interacting with Stafford and “Coach Cooper,” as Kupp is affectionately known by some of his teammates, who was reviewing game film with the young receiver.

After his strong preseason performance thus far and “Coach Cooper” presumably vouching for him, it is highly likely that Whittington will not only make the final 53-man roster but possibly become the Rams' No. 3 receiver behind Kupp and Nacua.

Whittington will have his last chance to strengthen his claim for the third receiver spot on the depth chart when the Rams take on the Houston Texans on Saturday at 12 p.m. CT in both teams' final preseason game.