In his senior year, he was named to PrepStar magazine’s All-Midlands Region team after being credited with 140 pancake blocks and 81 total tackles (41 solo, 40 assisted) with 15 sacks on the season, as Abilene finished 10–1 after losing to Buhler in the second round of the KSHSAA 4A state playoffs.

[7] After a season-ending injury to 2015 third round pick Hroniss Grasu in training camp, Whitehair started at left guard during the preseason.

Whitehair was then moved to the starting center position after the team signed veteran guard Josh Sitton.

He went on to start all 16 games at center and was named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team.

Before the 2019 season, Whitehair moved to left guard, while that position's starter, James Daniels, shifted to center.