Family is important to the Crimson right tackle. A native of Lexington, Ky., Whitman earned all-state honors twice in high school and represented Kentucky in the Border Bowl against Tennessee.

But his favorite football memory was going up against his cousin, who played for a rival high school, during his senior season. The two played directly across from each other the whole game—Will on the offensive line and his cousin on the defensive line.

When asked if he won the majority of the matchups, Whitman broke into a proud grin.

“Yeah, but my team won the game, so that was all that mattered.”

For the Whitmans, athletics and family go hand-in-hand. Whitman’s father, Hank, was a defensive tackle at Vanderbilt in the 1980s, and his younger brother Jack is a 6’8” high school basketball standout.

Will’s father—whom he counts as one of his biggest influences—was elated to hear the news that his son would be starting. But as a former college player himself, he also understands that being called upon so early in such a significant role can be overwhelming.

“[My Dad] was excited; [he was] all for it, but nervous because it’s a lot of pressure,” Whitman recalls. “You’re in front of so many people, and you’re already being criticized just because you’re so young. Then if you mess up, it makes it even harder on yourself.”

But so far in his young career, Whitman has performed at a high level for the Crimson—and on a much bigger stage than he has ever been accustomed to. In Kentucky, Whitman says the largest crowd he ever played before was around 700 people.

Tomorrow night, he’ll be donning his No. 71 Crimson jersey and playing each snap at Harvard Stadium. About 20,000 fans are expected to turn out.

“It’ll be rockin’,” predicts the big man, whose excitement to perform in front of a Harvard home crowd for the first time is palpable. “I come from Kentucky, so there’s not much to do there. Not much stuff besides hunting and fishing … It was nice, but nothing really awesome.”

Then, with conviction, Whitman adds, “It already is awesome here. I love it.”