Ahkello Witherspoon

Ahkello Witherspoon (born March 21, 1995) is an American professional football cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Sacramento City College and for the Colorado Buffaloes and has played in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers, and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Early life

Witherspoon attended Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento, California. He played only one season of football in high school.

College career

Witherspoon played at Sacramento City College for one year before transferring to the University of Colorado Boulder. He played at Colorado from 2014 to 2016. During his career, he had 71 tackles and three interceptions.

Professional career

Pre-draft

Coming out of Colorado, Witherspoon was projected to be a second or third round pick by the majority of NFL draft experts and scouts. He received an invitation to the NFL Combine and performed nearly every combine drill, but opted to skip the bench press. On March 8, 2017, he chose to participate at Colorado's pro day long with, Chidobe Awuzie, Tedric Thompson, Sefo Liufau, and ten other prospects. All 32 NFL teams had team representatives and scouts present. He had five private workouts and visits with the Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks. He was ranked the 14th best cornerback prospect in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com.

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers selected Witherspoon in the third round (66th overall) of the 2017 NFL draft. He was the 11th cornerback selected in the 2017 NFL Draft.

2017

On May 12, 2017, the San Francisco 49ers signed Witherspoon to a four–year, $3.88 million contract that included an initial signing bonus of $973,572.

Throughout training camp, he competed against Dontae Johnson, Rashard Robinson, and Keith Reaser to earn a role as a starting cornerback following the departure of Jimmie Ward. Head coach Kyle Shanahan named him a backup cornerback to begin the season and listed him as the fifth cornerback on the depth chart, behind Dontae Johnson, Rashard Robinson, K'Waun Williams, and Keith Reaser.

He was inactive as a healthy scratch for the first four games (Weeks 1–4) of the season. On September 16, 2017, the 49ers released Keith Reaser, but opted to sign Asa Jackson to the active roster with Witherspoon remaining inactive. Heading into Week 5, he had surpassed Asa Jackson on the depth chart and was promoted to the fourth cornerback on the depth chart. On October 8, 2017, Witherspoon made his professional regular season debut, but was limited to one solo tackle during a 26–23 overtime loss at the Indianapolis Colts. Entering Week 8, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh promoted Witherspoon to the No. 1 starting cornerback after Rashard Robinson was benched following disappointing performances and repetitive penalties. Two days later, the Jets subsequently traded Rashard Robinson to the New York Jets. Head coach Kyle Shanahan stated that Witherspoon would be the starting cornerback, opposite Dontae Johnson, moving forward and his development was one of the key factors in their decision to trade Robinson. He surpassed Leon Hall, Greg Mabin, and K'Waun Williams on the depth chart. On October 29, 2017, Witherspoon earned his first career start, recording three solo tackles, a pass deflection, and had his first career interception on a pass attempt thrown by Carson Wentz to wide receiver Mack Hollins during a 33–10 lost to the Philadelphia Eagles. Pro Football Focus graded Witherspoon the best player on the 49ers during the matchup against the Eagles and credited him with allowing three receptions on eight targets. In Week 16, Witherspoon made three combined tackles (two solo), set a season-high with two pass deflections, and also intercepted a pass by Blake Bortles to wide receiver Keelan Cole as the 49ers defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 44–33. The following week, he collected a season-high tying four solo tackles and had one pass break up during a 34–13 victory at the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17. He finished his rookie campaign with a total of 32 combined tackles (28 solo), seven passes defended, and two interceptions in 12 games and nine starts.

2018

Throughout training camp, he competed against K'Waun Williams, Jimmie Ward, D. J. Reed, Emmanuel Moseley, Tarvarius Moore, and Tarvarus McFadden to be the No. 2 starting cornerback. Head coach Kyle Shanahan named Witherspoon and Richard Sherman the starting cornerbacks to begin the regular season.

In Week 3, he collected a season-high five solo tackles during a 27–38 loss at the Kansas City Chiefs. On December 16, 2018, Witherspoon made one solo tackle before exiting in the third quarter of the 49ers' 26–23 victory at the Seattle Seahawks due to knee injury. On December 18, 2018, the 49rs placed him on injured reserve for the rest of the season (Weeks 16–17) due to his knee injury. He ended his sophomore season in the NFL with a total of 37 combined tackles (30 solo), four passes defended, and a fumble recovery in 14 games and 12 starts.

2019

He entered training camp projected to be the No. 2 starting cornerback. He competed against Jason Verrett, K'Waun Williams, and D. J. Reed. Head coach Kyle Shanahan named him a starting cornerback to begin the season and paired him with Richard Sherman.

On September 8, 2019, Witherspoon made two solo tackles, set a season-high with three pass deflections, and intercepted a pass thrown by Jameis Winston to running back Dare Ogunbowale and returned it 25–yards for his first career touchdown during a 31–17 victory at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was inactive due to a foot injury for six consecutive games (Weeks 5–10). In Week 17, he set a season-high five solo tackles and broke up two passes during a 26–21 win at the Seattle Seahawks. He finished the regular season with 28 combined tackles (24 solo), a career-high nine pass deflections, an interception, and a touchdown in ten games and eight starts.

The San Francisco 49ers finished the 2019 NFL season first in the NFC West with a 13–3 record and clinched a playoff berth and a first round bye.
In the playoffs, he was demoted to a backup role to Emmanuel Moseley after a poor performance in the Divisional Round against the Minnesota Vikings. The 49ers went on to reach Super Bowl LIV, but lost 31–20 to the Kansas City Chiefs. Witherspoon finished the Super Bowl with one tackle.

2020

During training camp, he competed against Emmanuel Moseley to be the No. 2 starting cornerback. Head coach Kyle Shanahan named him a backup and listed him as the fourth cornerback on the depth chart to begin the season, behind Richard Sherman, Emmanuel Moseley, and K'Waun Williams.

He was inactive for two games (Weeks 3–4) after injuring his hamstring. After Week 8, head coach Kyle Shanahan demoted Witherspoon and placed him at the bottom of the depth chart as the eighth cornerback, behind Jason Verrett, Emmanuel Moseley, K'Waun Williams, Jamar Taylor, Dontae Johnson, and Ken Webster. He was inactive as a healthy scratch for three games (Weeks 9–10, 12). Entering Week 13, Witherspoon was promoted to being the fourth cornerback on the depth chart after Emmanuel Moseley and K'Waun Williams both suffered injuries. In Week 15, he earned his second start of the season, appearing as a nickelback and made one solo tackle and set a season-high with two pass deflections during a 33–41 loss at the Dallas Cowboys. On December 26, 2020, Witherspoon set a season-high with seven solo tackles, made one pass deflection, and had his first career interception on a pass attempt thrown by Kyler Murray to wide receiver Christian Kirk late in the fourth quarter to help secure the 49ers' 20–12 win at the Arizona Cardinals. He finished the season with 20 combined tackles (17 solo), four pass deflections, and one interception in 11 games and four starts.

Seattle Seahawks

2021

On March 19, 2021, the Seattle Seahawks signed Witherspoon to a one–year, $4.00 million contract that is fully guaranteed and included an initial signing bonus of $2.50 million. Defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. held an open competition between D. J. Reed, Tre Brown, Tre Flowers, Damarious Randall, and Pierre Desir in order to select their starting cornerbacks.

Pittsburgh Steelers

On September 3, 2021, the Pittsburgh Steelers executed a trade and agreed to send their 2023 fifth-round pick (151st overall) to the Seattle Seahawks in return for Witherspoon. Upon his initial arrival, head coach Mike Tomlin named him a backup and listed him as the sixth cornerback on the depth chart to begin the season, behind Joe Haden, Cameron Sutton, James Pierre, Arthur Maulet, and Justin Layne.

He was inactive for the Steelers' 23–16 victory at the Buffalo Bills in Week 1. He remained inactive as a healthy scratch for the next seven games (Weeks 3–10). Going into Week 11, defensive coordinator Keith Butler promoted Witherspoon and listed him as the fourth cornerback on the depth chart after Joe Haden injured his foot and remained inactive for four games (Weeks 11–14). In Week 13, he set a season-high with five solo tackles and made one pass deflection during a 20–19 victory against the Baltimore Ravens. On December 9, 2021, Witherspoon made four solo tackles, three pass deflections, and set a new career-high with two interceptions on pass attempts thrown by Kirk Cousins during a 36–28 loss at the Minnesota Vikings. In Week 17, he tied his season-high with three pass deflections and also set a new career-high with his third interception of the season on a pass by Baker Mayfield to wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones during a 26–14 victory against the Cleveland Browns. He finished the season with 15 combined tackles (14 solo), nine pass deflections, and a career-high three interceptions in nine games and three starts.

2022

On March 25, 2022, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Witherspoon to a two–year, $8.00 million contract extension that includes an initial signing bonus of $2.96 million.
He entered training camp projected to be the No. 3 cornerback on the depth chart under the Steelers' new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. Austin was hired to replace Keith Butler after he chose to retire. Head coach Mike Tomlin named Witherspoon the No. 1 starting cornerback to begin the season in lieu of Levi Wallace and paired him with Cameron Sutton.

On September 11, 2022, Witherspoon started in the Pittsburgh Steelers' season-opener at the Cincinnati Bengals and set a season-high with eight combined tackles (six solo), had one pass deflection, and made his lone interception of the season on a pass by Joe Burrow to wide receiver Tyler Boyd in the fourth quarter of their 20–23 overtime victory. In Week 3, he made five combined tackles (four solo) and one pass deflection before he exited in the third quarter of the Steelers' 17–29 loss at the Cleveland Browns due to a hamstring injury. He was inactive for the next four games (Weeks 4–7) due to his hamstring injury. On October 30, 2022, Witherspoon returned from injury and made five solo tackles before head coach Mike Tomlin benched him for the second half after he was responsible for giving up two touchdown receptions as the Steelers lost 13–35 at the Philadelphia Eagles. On December 3, 2022, the Steelers officially placed him on injured reserve due to his hamstring injury. He finished the season with only 20 combined tackles (17 solo), two pass deflections, and one just interception.

2023

On May 17, 2023, the Pittsburgh Steelers officially released Witherspoon.

Los Angeles Rams

On June 29, 2023, the Los Angeles Rams signed Witherspoon to a one–year, $1.08 million contract. He recorded his first interception as a Ram in a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on September 25, 2023.

On September 11, 2024, Witherspoon was signed to the Rams practice squad after going unsigned during the offseason. On October 22, 2024, the Los Angeles Rams promoted Witherspoon to their active roster and signed him to a one–year, $1.12 million contract. Witherspoon dove to catch a game-winning interception against Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals on December 28, 2024. Witherspoon's play sealed a key win for the Rams, as it helped them clinch the NFC West division crown.

In preparation for the 2025-2026 NFL season, on March 19, 2025, it was announced that Witherspoon agreed to a one-year contract to return for his third season with the Rams.

NFL career statistics

Regular season

Postseason

Personal life

Witherspoon is the grandson of bluesman Jimmy Witherspoon.

References

External links

Los Angeles Rams bioColorado Buffaloes bio

{{DEFAULTSORT:Witherspoon, Ahkello
1995 births
Living people
Players of American football from Sacramento, California
American football cornerbacks
Sacramento City Panthers football players
Colorado Buffaloes football players
San Francisco 49ers players
Seattle Seahawks players
Pittsburgh Steelers players
Los Angeles Rams players