Ahkello Witherspoon

Ahkello Witherspoon Bio

Ahkello Witherspoon (born March 21, 1995) is an American professional football cornerback for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). Witherspoon played college football for the Sacramento City Panthers and Colorado Buffaloes before being selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He has also been a member of the Seattle Seahawks, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Los Angeles Rams during his professional career. Known for his height and ball skills, Witherspoon has compiled 13 career interceptions and 60 pass deflections across his NFL tenure.

Early Life and Background

Ahkello Witherspoon was born on March 21, 1995, in Sacramento, California. He attended Christian Brothers High School in his hometown, where he played only one season of football. Despite his limited high school experience, Witherspoon developed into a Division I prospect through his natural athleticism and physical tools.

Witherspoon comes from a notable family background as the grandson of blues and jazz singer Jimmy Witherspoon. This musical heritage provided an interesting contrast to his future career in professional athletics.

Path to Professional Football

After high school, Witherspoon began his college career at Sacramento City College, playing for the Panthers for one season. He then transferred to the University of Colorado Boulder, where he played from 2014 to 2016. During his time at Colorado, Witherspoon recorded 71 tackles and three interceptions while developing into a projected second or third-round NFL Draft pick.

Witherspoon received an invitation to the NFL Combine and performed nearly every drill, opting to skip the bench press. He participated in Colorado’s pro day on March 8, 2017, alongside several teammates. NFLDraftScout.com ranked him as the 14th best cornerback prospect in the draft. He had private workouts and visits with the Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks.

Ahkello Witherspoon Career

San Francisco 49ers (2017–2020)

The San Francisco 49ers selected Ahkello Witherspoon in the third round with the 66th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft. On May 12, 2017, the 49ers signed him to a four-year, $3.88 million contract that included a signing bonus of $973,572. Throughout training camp, Witherspoon competed against Dontae Johnson, Rashard Robinson, and Keith Reaser to earn a role as a starting cornerback.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan named Witherspoon a backup cornerback to begin his rookie season and listed him as the fifth cornerback on the depth chart. He was inactive as a healthy scratch for the first four games. Entering Week 8, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh promoted Witherspoon to starting cornerback after Rashard Robinson was benched. He earned his first career start against the Philadelphia Eagles, recording three solo tackles, a pass deflection, and his first career interception on a pass attempt by Carson Wentz. Pro Football Focus graded Witherspoon as the best player on the 49ers during that matchup.

In his rookie season, Witherspoon finished with 32 combined tackles (28 solo), seven pass deflections, and two interceptions in 12 games and nine starts. During his sophomore season in 2018, he was named a starting cornerback alongside Richard Sherman. Witherspoon collected a season-high five solo tackles during a Week 3 road loss to the Kansas City Chiefs but was placed on injured reserve on December 18, 2018, after suffering a knee injury in Week 15. He finished that season with 37 combined tackles (30 solo), four pass deflections, and a fumble recovery in 14 games and 12 starts.

In the 2019 season, Witherspoon started the season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and recorded two solo tackles, three pass deflections, and intercepted a pass thrown by Jameis Winston, returning it 25 yards for his first career touchdown. He was inactive for six consecutive games (Weeks 5–10) due to a foot injury. The 49ers finished the season atop the NFC West with a 13–3 record and clinched the number one seed in the playoffs, ultimately reaching Super Bowl LIV where Witherspoon recorded one tackle. He 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.

The 2020 season saw Witherspoon begin as a backup and work his way through the depth chart. He earned his second start of the season during Week 15 against the Dallas Cowboys, recording a solo tackle and two pass deflections. In the next game against the Arizona Cardinals, he set a season-high with seven solo tackles and recorded his first interception of the season to help secure a 20–12 victory. Witherspoon finished the 2020 season with 20 combined tackles (17 solo), four pass deflections, and an interception in 11 games and four starts.

Seattle Seahawks (2021)

On March 19, 2021, the Seattle Seahawks signed Witherspoon to a one-year, $4 million contract that was fully guaranteed and included a signing bonus of $2.5 million. Defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. held an open competition between several cornerbacks to select their starting lineup. Witherspoon began the season with the Seahawks but was traded mid-season.

Pittsburgh Steelers (2021–2022)

On September 3, 2021, the Pittsburgh Steelers executed a trade to acquire Witherspoon from the Seattle Seahawks, sending their 2023 fifth-round pick to Seattle in return. Upon his arrival, head coach Mike Tomlin listed Witherspoon as the sixth cornerback on the depth chart to begin the season. He remained inactive as a healthy scratch for the first eight games of the season.

Going into Week 11, Witherspoon was promoted to the fourth cornerback on the depth chart after Joe Haden injured his foot. During Week 13, he had a season-high five solo tackles and a pass deflection in a victory over the Baltimore Ravens. In the next game against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football, Witherspoon recorded four solo tackles, three pass deflections, and set a new career-high with two interceptions on pass attempts by Kirk Cousins during a 36–28 road loss. Three weeks later against the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football, he tied his season-high with three pass deflections and set a new career-high with his third interception of the season in a 26–14 victory. 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.

On March 25, 2022, the Steelers signed Witherspoon to a two-year, $8 million contract extension with a signing bonus of $2.96 million. Head coach Mike Tomlin named him the number one starting cornerback to begin the season, paired with Cameron Sutton. He started the season-opener at the Cincinnati Bengals and had a season-high eight combined tackles (six solo), a pass deflection, and his lone interception of the season on a pass by Joe Burrow in the fourth quarter of a 23–20 overtime victory. He was placed on injured reserve on December 3, 2022, due to a hamstring injury and finished the season with 20 combined tackles (17 solo), two pass deflections, and an interception in 13 games and five starts.

Los Angeles Rams (2023–2025)

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. On September 11, 2024, Witherspoon was signed to the Rams practice squad after going unsigned during the offseason. On October 22, the Rams promoted him to their active roster and signed him to a one-year, $1.12 million contract.

Witherspoon made a significant impact late in the 2024 season when he dove to catch a game-winning interception against Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals on December 28. His play sealed a key win for the Rams and helped them clinch the NFC West division crown. On March 19, 2025, it was announced that Witherspoon agreed to a one-year contract to return for his third season with the Rams.

Driving Style and Strengths

Witherspoon’s 6-foot-2 frame provides him with exceptional length to contest passes at the catch point. His ball skills have been evident throughout his career, with Pro Football Focus crediting him as one of the better cornerbacks in the league at making plays on the ball. He has shown the ability to contribute in both man and zone coverage schemes while demonstrating instincts for reading quarterbacks and jumping routes.

Notable Events and Milestones

Several moments stand out in Witherspoon’s career, including his first career interception as a rookie against Carson Wentz, his 25-yard pick-six against Tampa Bay in 2019, and his two-interception performance against Kirk Cousins with the Steelers in 2021. His dramatic game-sealing interception against Kyler Murray in Week 17 of the 2024 season proved instrumental in securing the Rams’ NFC West championship.

Ahkello Witherspoon Career Statistics

Witherspoon has accumulated solid statistics across his NFL career, demonstrating consistency as a playmaking cornerback with significant experience in multiple defensive systems.

NFL Career Highlights

Through his career, Witherspoon has shown the ability to make plays on the ball with his 13 career interceptions and 60 pass deflections. His standout statistical season came in 2019 with the 49ers when he recorded his first career touchdown on an interception return. He followed that with a career-best three-interception season in 2021 while with the Steelers. His 2024 season with the Rams was highlighted by his clutch performances down the stretch, including the division-clinching interception against Arizona.

Career Totals

Witherspoon has appeared in multiple postseason games, including the 49ers’ run to Super Bowl LIV in 2019. His career statistics reflect his role as a starting and rotational cornerback across four different organizations.

Ahkello Witherspoon Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Ahkello Witherspoon comes from a notable entertainment family as the grandson of Jimmy Witherspoon, the renowned blues and jazz singer who had a distinguished career in music spanning several decades. This artistic background provided a unique upbringing for the future NFL player.

Personal Life

Witherspoon has maintained a professional approach throughout his career, transitioning successfully between multiple NFL organizations. He has been focused on continuing his NFL career into his thirties, demonstrating his durability and commitment to the sport despite the challenges of the professional football career arc.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season began with Witherspoon returning to the Los Angeles Rams on a one-year contract, his third season with the organization. He started at cornerback in the Rams’ first two games of the season before suffering a broken scapula in Week 2. The injury required him to be placed on injured reserve, halting his momentum early in the campaign.

Witherspoon was activated from injured reserve on November 29, 2025, appearing to mark his return to the playing field. However, he re-broke his scapula during the Wild Card Round playoff game against the Carolina Panthers. The injury proved season-ending, as he was placed on injured reserve on January 12, 2026. Despite the setback, Witherspoon’s late-season heroics from the previous year, including his division-clinching interception against Arizona, remained a memorable part of his Rams tenure.

Following the conclusion of the 2025 season and his subsequent recovery, Witherspoon signed with the Washington Commanders on March 26, 2026, joining a new organization for the 2026 season and continuing his NFL career with his fifth NFL team.