Wide receiver Devin Whitlock caught 84 passes last season at NCAA Division II Indiana University of Pennsylvania, including six for touchdowns. (Photo by Sharna Wilkerson)
By Barry Bottino
CHARLESTON – The tone of Chris Wilkerson’s voice ramped up rapidly when describing Devin Whitlock’s skill set.
“We can hand him the ball. We can pitch him the ball. He’s a guy, like (former EIU wide receiver) Cooper Willman, who could very much be a Swiss Army knife in our program. I love the passion, energy and focus he plays with.
“He’s going to be a very valuable member of our offense,” Wilkerson said.
Whitlock’s potential has EIU coaches imagining the impact on an offense that managed only 17.5 points and 12 passing touchdowns a year ago.
A transfer from D-II Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Whitlock caught 84 passes for 927 yards and six touchdowns last season. Like Willman, the 5-foot-7, 160-pound Whitlock played quarterback in high school.
The Eastern offense reminds Whitlock of the 2025 season at IUP, where his offensive coordinator was Frank Cignetti Jr., who has worked for six NFL coaching staffs and six FBS programs.
“A lot of motions. It’s fast-paced, quick with a lot of hand signals,” Whitlock said. “I feel comfortable and everything is falling right into place like I wanted it to. I’m adjusting very well.”
Whitlock is one of four EIU Fresh Faces who will have a big impact on the Panthers’ season. In this annual series, Prairie State Pigskin highlights two offensive and two defensive players likely moving into bigger roles.
Along with working as a slot receiver, Whitlock’s workload also will include returning punts and being moved to various places in the formation.
“We knew that once he knew the verbiage, he would naturally fit right in. He’s blended right in,” Wilkerson said. “The kid has got great short-space quickness. He has the ability to navigate some different windows and find some holes (in a defense). He is hard to tackle.”
Whitlock, whose career started with two seasons at FBS Pittsburgh, is embracing the workload and hopes to thrive on Saturdays this fall.
“You can expect something explosive and game changing, to be able to change a game on a dime,” he said.
Here are three other Fresh Faces to keep an eye on this season for the Panthers.
Offense
Brandin Carpenter, OL: At 6-6 and 315 pounds, Carpenter fits right in along the EIU offensive line. He played in eight games as a top reserve last season as a true freshman for the Panthers.
Since arriving at 280 pounds, Carpenter has added bulk and could be in line for a key role up front for a position group headed by new offensive line coach Mike McClanathan.
Over the past two seasons at D-II Saginaw Valley State in Michigan, McClanathan coached six all-conference linemen.
Defense
Nasir Maryland, CB: Having lost both starting cornerbacks from a year ago in Moses Alexander (completed eligibility) and Isaiah Houi (transferred to FBS Oregon State), Eastern had a need at the position.
In comes Maryland, a New Jersey native who played 26 games over the past three seasons at FCS Merrimack College in Massachusetts. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Maryland had career highs last season with 21 tackles, four passes defended and two interceptions.
“Nas is a guy who played a lot of football over at Merrimack,” EIU defensive coordinator Andrew Strobel said. “He has the ability to play man coverage. He’s long, so he can get into those zone windows. He’s an incredibly smart kid.”
Micah Valenzuela, LB: A January arrival from Riverside City College in California, Valenzuela made an immediate impression. “He’s been grinding ever since he stepped foot in Charleston,” EIU veteran offensive lineman Carson Fichtel said.
Last season, he averaged 10.1 tackles a game for Riverside, including 14 stops in November’s Southern California Bowl against Fullerton College.
Valenzuela’s college career started at the University of San Diego, a non-scholarship FCS program, where he redshirted in 2024.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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