On Thursday, the New England Patriots announced the signing of rookie cornerback Jonathan Wilhite. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound defender was the second defensive back selected by the Patriots after Terrence Wheatley (second round).
Wilhite started 23 of the 34 games he appeared in at Auburn. Though he battled injuries, the Louisiana native recorded 101 tackles, 14 passes defended and three interceptions. He also managed a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Wilhite will compete with a group of free agents the team signed during the offseason to replace departed starters Randall Gay and Asante Samuel. Wilhite wears No. 24 for the Patriots, the number of another famous Patriots defender -- Ty Law. Fellow rookie Wheatley wear's Samuel's old No. 22 jersey. The Patriots would be ecstatic if the pair turned out to be as successful as the players that went before them.