A compact, powerful runner who overcame multiple injuries at Oregon, Noah Whittington signed with the Texans as an undrafted free agent after closing his college career as the Ducks' starting running back.
Noah Whittington transferred from Western Kentucky to Oregon and, despite a torn ACL along the way, developed into the Ducks' starting running back by his final season. The Fort Valley, Georgia native went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and signed with the Houston Texans, giving the team a compact, physical runner with proven pass-catching ability out of the backfield.
Path to the league
Whittington began his college career at Western Kentucky, rushing for 617 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore before entering the transfer portal. He transferred to Oregon in 2022 and battled multiple injuries, including a torn ACL that limited him to four games in 2023, before earning the Ducks' starting running back job in 2025. He went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and signed with the Houston Texans as a free agent on May 8, 2026.
Career highlights
Whittington finished his college career with 2,950 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns on 523 carries between Western Kentucky and Oregon, adding 544 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 90 catches. His breakout year came in 2022 at Oregon, when he rushed for 779 yards and five touchdowns on 139 carries while also catching 22 passes for 169 yards.
2025 season recap
As Oregon's starting running back in 2025, Whittington posted the best season of his college career, rushing for 829 yards at a 6.4 yards-per-carry clip with a career-high six touchdowns. He opened the season with 68 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries in a win over Montana State, production that helped him sign with the Texans as an undrafted free agent after the draft.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Noah Whittington
- ESPN: Noah Whittington player page
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Running Back
- Group
- offense
- College
- Oregon
- Hometown
- Fort Valley, GA, USA
- Age
- 24
- Status
- active
