He was an All-conference college player for the University of Nebraska and was an AAU All-American for league power Phillips 66.

In the 1948–49 season, Whitehead teamed with guard Claude Retherford as the Huskers tied Oklahoma for the Big Seven title.

Averaging 15.7 points per game (then a school single-season record), Whitehead was the only unanimous member of the Big Seven all-conference first team.

[3] Following the season, Whitehead became the first Nebraska player selected to play in the East-West college All-Star game.

Instead, Whitehead chose to play for the Phillips 66ers of the Amateur Athletic Union and in 1952 was named an AAU All-American.