[2] Whittaker was a running back and kick returner for six seasons in the National Football League (NFL).

Whittaker spent the 2013 season on the rosters of the Cleveland Browns and San Diego Chargers.

He played college football for the Texas Longhorns, where he was a 2011 first-team All-Big 12 selection, in the special teams as a kick returner, and was named an honorable mention for the 2011 All-Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year.

[7] He finished high school as the sixth all-time rusher in Texas 5A history (5,717 yards) and a prep All-American.

[14] In November he was injured and missed the rest of the season, including the Holiday Bowl, which the Longhorns won.

[4] He was also on the track team, and ran the opening leg of the 4x100-meter relay for Texas at the 2010 Big 12 Championships.

[25] On January 3, 2015, in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, Whittaker scored a crucial 39-yard, go-ahead receiving touchdown in the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals, helping the Panthers to a 27–16 victory, which enabled them to advance to the Divisional Round of the playoffs.

[28][29] In the 2015 playoffs, they defeated the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round and the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship.

[30][31] On February 7, 2016, Whittaker was part of the Panthers team that played in Super Bowl 50 against the Denver Broncos.

[34] On September 18, 2016, Whittaker ran for 100 yards on 16 carries against the San Francisco 49ers when Jonathan Stewart left in the first quarter with a hamstring injury.

[40][41] Following his playing career, Whitaker worked as an analyst for the Longhorn Network and Big 12 Radio from 2018 to 2023.