It's been quite the whirlwind year for David Whitlow.
Just months removed from being a graduate assistant under Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weis at Ole Miss, Whitlow has transitioned into his role as an NCAA Division I wide receivers coach.
Now, Whitlow has another accolade: He's heading to the NFL. For a bit.
Whitlow has been selected to participate in the NFL's prestigious Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship.
"I am grounded in gratitude," said Whitlow, an Alabama State alum who also holds a graduate degree from Auburn, "and extremely humbled to be able to serve as a Bill Walsh Fellow for the Falcons.
"The Falcons have built a phenomenal staff and an extremely competitive roster in a very short time and to be able to go in, serve, and learn from the best of the best will provide insight in many areas and will be an invaluable experience."
In Atlanta, Whitlow will work with the Falcons' first-year staff beginning next week in the suburb of Flowery Branch, where the franchise annually holds its training camp.
Specifically, Whitlow will work with Ike Hilliard, the former University of Florida standout who had a lengthy NFL playing career before he transitioned into coaching.
Hilliard was hired earlier this year by new Falcons skipper Raheem Morris.
West Georgia, transitioning this fall from NCAA Division II program to the Football Championship Subdivision level, opens its season Aug. 31 at perennial Southern Conference contender Samford, led by Chris Hatcher.
The program plays its first home game as an FCS team Sept. 28 vs. North Alabama.