A Promising Prospect
Ben Whitver, a wide receiver for Penn State, was recently charged in Centre County with driving under the influence, a charge that also carries allegations of a Schedule I drug in his bloodstream and the presence of a controlled‑substance metabolite.
The case includes three first‑offense accusations: the DUI itself, a count of driving the wrong way, and a prior April 2026 citation for operating a vehicle while wearing headphones, to which he previously pleaded guilty.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 9 at 8:30 a.m., just four days before the Nittany Lions open Big Ten play against Wisconsin, adding a layer of urgency to the legal proceedings.
Whitver arrived in State College after pledging to the program following the team’s Pinstripe Bowl victory over Clemson, a commitment that had placed him at No. 28 among Virginia prospects, No. 143 at the wide receiver position nationally, and No. 1,007 overall according to 247Sports.
Before joining Penn State, he amassed 3,501 receiving yards and 35 touchdowns on 209 catches, complemented by 171 rushing yards and two ground touchdowns during his high school career in Powhatan, Virginia.
Looking Ahead
The upcoming hearing will determine the next steps in the legal process, while the football staff prepares for a pivotal conference opener that could shape the team’s early season trajectory.