The Detroit Lions have signed cornerback Nick Whiteside, a local product, to add more competition and depth after the release of Stantley Thomas-Oliver.
The Detroit Lions have added to their depth in the secondary by signing cornerback Nick Whiteside, a hometown product from Auburn Hills, Michigan, according to the team Monday morning.
A graduate of Avondale High School, Whiteside—originally a wide receiver prospect—went on to enroll at Saginaw Valley State in 2018 and suit up at cornerback. Over four seasons, he accumulated 131 tackles, 26 pass breakups, and 12 interceptions across 43 games for the Cardinals. He earned Division II All-American nods in 2021 and 2022, along with GLIAC Defensive Back of the Year honors in 2021.
Whiteside would end up tearing his Achilles at the end of that 2021 season, but returned in time to play 10 games during the 2022 season, totaling 30 tackles and two interceptions before then breaking his foot in the final game of the year.
Undrafted out of college, Whiteside signed with the Washington Commanders in May 2023. He spent most of the season on the practice squad before being elevated to the active roster for the final two weeks, logging 28 snaps across defense and special teams. Washington released him in late August 2024.
In December 2024, he signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL. In the 2025 UFL season, Whiteside appeared in 11 games, recording 20 tackles, four pass breakups, and one fumble recovery as part of the Battlehawks’ league‑leading 8–2 campaign.
Whiteside fills the roster spot opened by the release of Stantley Thomas-Oliver, and will look to provide depth and compete at the cornerback position during training camp for the Lions.
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