 Witherspoon with theSan Francisco 49ers in 2017 | |||||||||||||||
| No. 4 – Los Angeles Rams | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Cornerback | ||||||||||||||
| Roster status | Active | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born | (1995-03-21)March 21, 1995 (age 30) Sacramento, California, U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 215 lb (98 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school | Christian Brothers (Sacramento) | ||||||||||||||
| College | Sacramento City (2013) Colorado (2014–2016) | ||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 2017: 3rd round, 66th overall pick | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
| Career NFL statistics as of 2025 | |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Ahkello Witherspoon (born March 21, 1995) is an American professionalfootballcornerback for theLos Angeles Rams of theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theSacramento City Panthers andColorado Buffaloes. Witherspoon was drafted by theSan Francisco 49ers in the third round of the2017 NFL draft. He has also been a member of theSeattle Seahawks andPittsburgh Steelers.
Witherspoon attendedChristian Brothers High School inSacramento, California. He played only one season offootball in high school.[1]
Witherspoon played atSacramento City College for one year before transferring to theUniversity of Colorado Boulder.[2][3] He played at Colorado from 2014 to 2016.[4][5] During his career, Witherspoon had 71tackles and threeinterceptions.
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 theNFL Combine and performed nearly every combine drill, but opted to skip thebench press. On March 8, 2017, Witherspoon chose to participate at Colorado'spro day long with,Chidobe Awuzie,Tedric Thompson,Sefo Liufau, and ten other prospects. All 32 NFL teams had team representatives and scouts present.[6] He had five private workouts and visits with theIndianapolis Colts,New Orleans Saints,Philadelphia Eagles,San Francisco 49ers, andSeattle Seahawks.[7] Witherspoon was ranked the 14th best cornerback prospect in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com.[8]
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft2+3⁄4 in (1.90 m) | 198 lb (90 kg) | 33 in (0.84 m) | 9+7⁄8 in (0.25 m) | 4.45 s | 1.53 s | 2.57 s | 4.13 s | 6.93 s | 40.5 in (1.03 m) | 10 ft 7 in (3.23 m) | ||
| All values fromNFL Combine[9][8] | ||||||||||||
The 49ers selected Witherspoon in the third round (66th overall) of the2017 NFL draft.[10] He was the 11th cornerback selected in the draft.[11]
On May 12, 2017, the 49ers signed Witherspoon to a four-year,$3.88 millioncontract that included an initialsigning bonus of $973,572.[12]
Throughouttraining camp, Witherspoon competed againstDontae Johnson,Rashard Robinson, andKeith Reaser to earn a role as a starting cornerback following the departure ofJimmie Ward.[13] Head coachKyle Shanahan named Witherspoon a backup cornerback to begin the season and listed him as the fifth cornerback on the depth chart, behind Johnson, Robinson,K'Waun Williams, and Reaser.[14]
Witherspoon was inactive as a healthy scratch for the first four games (Weeks 1–4) of the season. On September 16, 2017, the 49ers released Reaser, but opted to signAsa 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 a solo tackle during a 26–23 overtime road loss to theIndianapolis Colts.[15][16]
Entering Week 8, defensive coordinatorRobert Saleh promoted Witherspoon to the starting cornerback after Rashard Robinson was benched following disappointing performances and repetitive penalties. Witherspoon earned his first career start in Week 8 against thePhiladelphia Eagles, recording three solo tackles, a pass deflection, and his first career interception on a pass attempt thrown byCarson Wentz to wide receiverMack Hollins during the 33–10 road loss.[17]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.[18] Two days later, the 49ers traded Robinson to theNew York Jets.[19] Head coachKyle 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 surpassedLeon Hall,Greg Mabin, and K'Waun Williams on the depth chart. During Week 16 against theJacksonville Jaguars, Witherspoon had three combined tackles (two solo), set a season-high with two pass deflections, and also intercepted a pass byBlake Bortles to wide receiverKeelan Cole in the 44–33 victory.[20][21] In the regular season finale against theLos Angeles Rams, Witherspoon collected a season-high tying four solo tackles and a pass deflection during the 34–13 road victory.[22]
Witherspoon finished his rookie year with 32 combined tackles (28 solo), seven pass deflections, and two interceptions in 12 games and nine starts.[23]
Throughout training camp, Witherspoon competed against K'Waun Williams, Jimmie Ward,D. J. Reed,Emmanuel Moseley,Tarvarius Moore, andTarvarus McFadden to be the No. 2 starting cornerback.[24] Head coach Kyle Shanahan named Witherspoon andRichard Sherman the starting cornerbacks to begin the regular season.[25]
During a Week 3 38–27 road loss to theKansas City Chiefs, Witherspoon collected a season-high five solo tackles.[26] During Week 15 against theSeattle Seahawks, he had a solo tackle before leaving the eventual 26–23 overtime victory in the third quarter with a knee injury.[27][28] On December 18, 2018, Witherspoon was placed oninjured reserve.[29]
Witherspoon finished his sophomore professional season with 37 combined tackles (30 solo), four pass deflections, and a fumble recovery in 14 games and 12 starts.[30]
Witherspoon entered training camp projected to be the No. 2 starting cornerback. He competed againstJason Verrett, K'Waun Williams, and D. J. Reed.[31] Head coach Kyle Shanahan named Witherspoon a starting cornerback to begin the season and paired him with Richard Sherman.[32]
During the season-opening 31–17 road victory over theTampa Bay Buccaneers, Witherspoon had two solo tackles, a season-high with three pass deflections, and intercepted a pass thrown byJameis Winston to running backDare Ogunbowale and returned it 25 yards for his first career touchdown.[33] Witherspoon was inactive due to a foot injury for six consecutive games (Weeks 5–10). In the regular season finale against the Seahawks, he recorded a season-high five solo tackles and two pass deflections during the 26–21 road victory.[34]
Witherspoon finished the regular season with 28 combined tackles (24 solo), a career-high nine pass deflections, an interception, and a touchdown in 10 games and eight starts.[35] The 49ers finished the season atop theNFC West with a 13–3 record and clinched the #1-seed in the playoffs. In the Divisional Round against theMinnesota Vikings, Witherspoon was demoted to a backup role toEmmanuel Moseley after a poor performance. The 49ers went on to reachSuper Bowl LIV, but lost 31–20 to the Chiefs. Witherspoon finished the Super Bowl with one tackle.[36]
During training camp, Witherspoon competed againstEmmanuel Moseley to be the No. 2 starting cornerback. Head coach Kyle Shanahan named him a backup and listed Witherspoon as the fourth cornerback on the depth chart to begin the season, behind Richard Sherman, Moseley, andK'Waun Williams.[37]
Witherspoon was inactive for two games (Weeks 3–4) after injuring his hamstring.[38] After Week 8, Witherspoon was placed at the bottom of the depth chart as the eighth cornerback, behind Jason Verrett, Emmanuel Moseley, K'Waun Williams,Jamar Taylor, Dontae Johnson, andKen Webster.[39][40] Witherspoon was inactive as a healthy scratch for three games (Weeks 9, 10, and 12). Entering Week 13, Witherspoon was promoted to being the fourth cornerback on the depth chart after bothEmmanuel Moseley andK'Waun Williams suffered injuries.
During a Week 15 41–33 road loss to theDallas Cowboys, Witherspoon earned his second start of the season, appearing as a nickelback and recorded a solo tackle and a season-high two pass deflections.[41] In the next game against theArizona Cardinals, Witherspoon set a season-high with seven solo tackles, made one pass deflection, and had his first career interception on a pass attempt thrown byKyler Murray to wide receiverChristian Kirk late in the fourth quarter to help secure a 20–12 road victory for the 49ers.[42]
Witherspoon finished the 2020 season with 20 combined tackles (17 solo), four pass deflections, and an interception in 11 games and four starts.[43]
On March 19, 2021, theSeattle Seahawks signed Witherspoon to a one-year, $4 million contract that was fully guaranteed and included an initial signing bonus of $2.5 million.[44] Defensive coordinatorKen Norton Jr. held an open competition betweenD. J. Reed,Tre Brown,Tre Flowers,Damarious Randall, andPierre Desir in order to select their starting cornerbacks.[45]
On September 3, 2021, thePittsburgh Steelers executed a trade and agreed to send their2023 fifth-round pick (151st overall) to theSeattle Seahawks in return for Witherspoon.[46] Upon his initial arrival, head coachMike Tomlin listed Witherspoon as the sixth cornerback on the depth chart to begin the season, behindJoe Haden,Cameron Sutton,James Pierre,Arthur Maulet, andJustin Layne.[47]
Witherspoon was inactive for the season-opening 23–16 road victory over theBuffalo Bills. He remained inactive as a healthy scratch for the next seven games (Weeks 3–10). Going into Week 11, defensive coordinatorKeith 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. During Week 13, Witherspoon had a season-high five solo tackles and a pass deflection in a narrow 20–19 victory over theBaltimore Ravens.[48] In the next game against the Vikings on Thursday Night Football, he recorded four solo tackles, three pass deflections, and set a new career-high with two interceptions on pass attempts thrown byKirk Cousins during the 36–28 road loss.[49] Three weeks later against theCleveland Browns onMonday Night Football, Witherspoon 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 byBaker Mayfield to wide receiverDonovan Peoples-Jones in the 26–14 victory.[50]
Witherspoon finished the 2021 season with 15 combined tackles (14 solo), nine pass deflections, and a career-high three interceptions in nine games and three starts.[51]
On March 25, 2022, the Steelers signed Witherspoon to a two-year, $8 million contract extension with an initialsigning bonus of $2.96 million.[52] He entered training camp projected to be the No. 3 cornerback on the depth chart under the Steelers' new defensive coordinatorTeryl Austin. Austin was hired to replace Keith Butler after he chose to retire. Head coachMike Tomlin named Witherspoon the No. 1 starting cornerback to begin the season in lieu ofLevi Wallace and paired him withCameron Sutton.
Witherspoon started during the season-opener at theCincinnati Bengals and had a season-high with eight combined tackles (six solo), a pass deflection, and his lone interception of the season on a pass byJoe Burrow to wide receiverTyler Boyd in the fourth quarter of the 23–20 overtime road victory.[53] Two weeks later against the Browns onThursday Night Football, Witherspoon recorded five combined tackles (four solo) and a pass deflection before leaving the eventual 29–17 road loss with a hamstring injury.[54][55] He was inactive for the next four games (Weeks 4–7) due to his injury.[56]
During a Week 8 35–13 road loss to the Eagles, Witherspoon returned from injury and made five solo tackles before head coach Mike Tomlin benched him for the second half after Witherspoon gave up two touchdowns.[57] On December 3, 2022, the Steelers officially placed Witherspoon on injured reserve due to his hamstring injury.[58] He finished the 2022 season with 20 combined tackles (17 solo), two pass deflections, and an interception in 13 games and five starts.[59]
On May 17, 2023, Witherspoon was released.[60]
On June 29, 2023, theLos Angeles Rams signed Witherspoon to a one-year, $1.08 million contract.[61] He recorded his first interception as a Ram in a loss to theCincinnati Bengals on September 25.
On September 11, 2024, Witherspoon was signed to the Rams' practice squad after going unsigned during the offseason.[62] On October 22, the Rams promoted Witherspoon to their active roster and signed him to a one-year, $1.12 million contract.[63] Witherspoon dove to catch a game-winning interception againstKyler Murray and theArizona Cardinals on December 28. Witherspoon's play sealed a key win for the Rams, as it helped them clinch the NFC West division crown.[64][65]
On March 19, 2025, it was announced that Witherspoon agreed to a one-year contract to return for his third season with the Rams.[66] He started at cornerback in the Rams' first two games, but suffered abroken scapula in Week 2 and was placed on injured reserve.[67] Witherspoon was activated on November 29.[68] However, he re-broke his scapula during the Wild Card Round against the Panthers and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on January 12, 2026.[69]
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FF | FR | ||
| 2017 | SF | 12 | 9 | 32 | 28 | 4 | 0.0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 42 | 21.0 | 23 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | SF | 14 | 12 | 37 | 30 | 7 | 0.0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2019 | SF | 10 | 8 | 28 | 24 | 4 | 0.0 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 25 | 25.0 | 25T | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | SF | 11 | 4 | 20 | 17 | 3 | 0.0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | PIT | 9 | 3 | 15 | 14 | 1 | 0.0 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 45 | 15.0 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | PIT | 4 | 4 | 20 | 17 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | LAR | 17 | 17 | 52 | 43 | 9 | 0.0 | 3 | 14 | 3 | 17 | 5.7 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2024 | LAR | 13 | 5 | 31 | 25 | 6 | 0.0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | LAR | 6 | 2 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 96 | 64 | 243 | 204 | 39 | 0.0 | 6 | 60 | 13 | 129 | 9.9 | 41 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FF | FR | ||
| 2019 | SF | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | PIT | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | LAR | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | LAR | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | LAR | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 8 | 5 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
Witherspoon is the grandson of bluesmanJimmy Witherspoon.[70][3]
