To say Tyrone running back Caleb Whitby had a roller-coaster junior season wouldn’t do enough to capture the kind of wild swings he experienced from week to week.
Early in the season he exploded for 188 yards rushing against Westmont, followed it up with 133 all purpose yards against Central, and then was limited to 25 yards on 7 carries against Bald Eagle Area.
Just a couple weeks later he crashed out with a season-low 4 yards on 4 carries against Bishop Guilfoyle only to rebound with 200 yards on the ground versus Huntingdon and 112 at Penn Cambria.
Whitby finished the season with 822 yards rushing on 141 carries to go along with 176 yards through the air on 13 catches. It was a respectable season by any measure, although one where 1,000 yards was certainly in reach with a little more consistency.
That makes his senior season an interesting one because new coach Jason Jones recognized the gifts Whitby brings to the table immediately. He’s an athlete who has run in the low 11’s in the 100 meters and jumped well beyond 21 feet. His quickness is undeniable, as is his penchant for coming through with big plays.
For Jones, Whitby has got to be a factor in Tyrone’s new offensive system, and he’s going to get his opportunities.
“He has worked extremely hard, and he is someone we have high hopes for with his amazing athletic ability,” Jones said. “We have asked a lot from him early, and he is responding well.”
Whitby’s up-and-down junior season can’t be entirely pinned on him. If there was some inconsistency there, one thing that was consistent was former coach John Franco’s frustrations with his offensive line, so the space to roam wasn’t always there for the slick-footed back.
He doesn’t dog it in drills. Everybody knows he’s good, but he’s ready to take that next step. I’ve been really happy with his buy-in and work ethic.
Coach Jason Jones
But he was always someone who needed touches, and when running the ball became difficult, Whitby still found ways to impact the game. He had three games with more than 40 receiving yards and scored the game clinching touchdown against Central in Week 3 on a 45-yard screen pass.
The ability to take what’s given and make the best of it is a good sign for any player, and it’s one Jones has already seen from Whitby throughout the summer and the first week of practice.
“I can’t tell you how happy I’ve been with his work and the effort he’s putting in,” said Jones. “He doesn’t dog it in drills. Everybody knows he’s good, but he’s ready to take that next step. I’ve been really happy with his buy-in and work ethic.”
If there’s an area where Jones will demand more from Whitby it will be in his leadership abilities, which is right in line with the mantra the new coach has preached to all his upperclassmen from Day One.
“We will continue to push him to be a leader and to lead our younger guys,” he said.
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