Ahkello Witherspoon Bio
Ahkello Witherspoon (born March 21, 1995) is an American professional football cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He previously played for the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and Pittsburgh Steelers, and he competed in college football for the Sacramento City Panthers and the Colorado Buffaloes. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and listed at 218 pounds, he has built his career on the boundary as a long, physical cover corner.
Early Life and Background
Ahkello Witherspoon was born and raised in Sacramento, California, where he attended Christian Brothers High School. He played only one season of high school football, yet his size and athleticism were enough to attract college attention. He comes from a notable family: Witherspoon is the grandson of Jimmy Witherspoon, the celebrated American blues singer known for his work in the jazz and blues tradition.
After high school, Witherspoon enrolled at Sacramento City College, where he played a single season for the Panthers before transferring to a four-year program. He used the junior college year to refine his game and earn a scholarship to a major conference school.
Path to American Football
At Sacramento City College, Witherspoon developed the cover skills and frame that would later define his professional profile. His performance earned him a transfer to the University of Colorado Boulder, where he played for the Buffaloes from 2014 to 2016. During his three seasons in Boulder, he posted 71 tackles and three interceptions, and he was recognized as a Second-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2016.
Coming out of Colorado, Witherspoon was projected as a second- or third-round pick by most draft analysts. He accepted an invitation to the NFL Combine, completed nearly every drill, and returned to Boulder for Colorado’s pro day, where all 32 NFL teams sent representatives. He worked out privately for the Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks, and NFLDraftScout.com ranked him as the 14th-best cornerback prospect in the 2017 class.
Ahkello Witherspoon Career
Early Career (2017)
The San Francisco 49ers selected Ahkello Witherspoon in the third round, 66th overall, of the 2017 NFL Draft, making him the 11th cornerback taken that year. He signed a four-year, $3.88 million rookie contract that included a signing bonus of $973,572 and entered training camp competing against Dontae Johnson, Rashard Robinson, and Keith Reaser for a starting role.
Witherspoon made his professional regular-season debut on October 8, 2017, against the Indianapolis Colts, but he spent the early weeks as a healthy scratch. After Rashard Robinson was traded to the New York Jets, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh promoted Witherspoon, and he earned his first career start against the Philadelphia Eagles. He recorded his first career interception on a pass from Carson Wentz in that game and was graded by Pro Football Focus as the 49ers’ top performer of the week.
San Francisco 49ers (2017–2020)
In 2018, head coach Kyle Shanahan paired Ahkello Witherspoon with Richard Sherman as the 49ers’ starting cornerbacks. He played 14 games with 12 starts and registered 37 combined tackles, four passes defended, and a fumble recovery before a knee injury ended his season in December.
The 2019 campaign produced one of Witherspoon’s defining moments when he intercepted Jameis Winston and returned it 25 yards for his first career touchdown in a victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He finished that season with 28 tackles, a career-high nine pass deflections, and an interception. Witherspoon also played in Super Bowl LIV, recording one tackle in the 49ers’ 31–20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
His role diminished in 2020 as Emmanuel Moseley overtook him on the depth chart, and he played 11 games with only four starts. His lone interception that season, off Kyler Murray against the Arizona Cardinals, helped secure a 20–12 victory in the regular-season finale.
Seattle Seahawks (2021)
On March 19, 2021, the Seattle Seahawks signed Ahkello Witherspoon to a one-year, $4 million fully guaranteed contract that included a $2.5 million signing bonus. He joined an open cornerback competition under defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr., and his tenure in Seattle lasted only months before the team made a trade.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2021–2022)
On September 3, 2021, the Pittsburgh Steelers acquired Ahkello Witherspoon from Seattle in exchange for a 2023 fifth-round pick. After starting the season as the sixth cornerback on the depth chart, he earned a larger role following injuries and set a career high with two interceptions against the Minnesota Vikings in December 2021. He finished that season with 15 tackles, nine pass deflections, and three interceptions in nine games.
In March 2022, the Steelers signed Witherspoon to a two-year, $8 million extension and named him a starting cornerback under defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. A hamstring injury limited him to 20 tackles and one interception, and he was placed on injured reserve in December 2022 before being released by Pittsburgh on May 17, 2023.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2023–Present)
On June 29, 2023, the Los Angeles Rams signed Ahkello Witherspoon to a one-year, $1.08 million contract. He recorded his first interception as a Ram later that September in a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. After going unsigned through the 2024 offseason, he returned to the Rams’ practice squad on September 11, 2024, before being promoted to the active roster in October on a one-year, $1.12 million deal.
Witherspoon’s biggest moment with the Rams came on December 28, 2024, when he intercepted Kyler Murray to seal a victory over the Arizona Cardinals that clinched the NFC West title. On March 19, 2025, he agreed to a one-year contract to return for his third season in Los Angeles. He started the first two games of the 2025 campaign before suffering a broken scapula in Week 2 and being placed on injured reserve; he was activated on November 29 ahead of a Week 13 matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although he plays defense rather than offense, Ahkello Witherspoon is recognized for his length, press-coverage technique, and ball skills at the line of scrimmage. His 6-foot-2 frame allows him to match up with larger wide receivers, and his comfort in zone and trail coverage has made him a reliable boundary corner when healthy.
Notable Events and Milestones
Witherspoon’s most celebrated plays include his first career pick-six against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019, his appearance in Super Bowl LIV, and his game-clinching interception of Kyler Murray that locked up the NFC West for the Rams in 2024. He also earned a Second-team All-Pac-12 honor in 2016.
Ahkello Witherspoon Career Wins
Across his time with the San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Los Angeles Rams, Ahkello Witherspoon has been a contributor on winning defenses rather than a primary statistical leader. His teams reached Super Bowl LIV after the 2019 season and the NFC West title after the 2024 campaign.
San Francisco 49ers Highlights
Witherspoon played four seasons in San Francisco and was part of a 49ers defense that won the NFC West in 2019 and advanced to Super Bowl LIV. He started 12 games as a rookie in 2017 and became a full-time starter in 2018 before injuries and depth-chart moves shifted his role in 2020.
Pittsburgh Steelers Highlights
After arriving in Pittsburgh in 2021, Witherspoon produced his most productive statistical stretch, recording three interceptions in nine games and helping the Steelers reach the postseason. He was promoted to a starting role in 2022 before injuries curtailed his second season with the team.
Los Angeles Rams Highlights
In Los Angeles, Witherspoon recorded interceptions against the Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals, with the latter sealing the NFC West crown in 2024. His third season with the Rams began with two starts before a broken scapula sent him to injured reserve.
Ahkello Witherspoon Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ahkello Witherspoon is the grandson of Jimmy Witherspoon, the influential American blues singer who built a reputation performing jazz and blues standards from the mid-20th century onward. The family connection to music is one of the better-known elements of his personal background.
Personal Life
Witherspoon was raised in Sacramento, California, and continues to make his professional home on the West Coast with the Los Angeles Rams. Public details about his marital status, spouse, and children are not widely confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks Ahkello Witherspoon’s third year with the Los Angeles Rams after agreeing to a one-year contract on March 19, 2025. He started at cornerback in the Rams’ first two games and was part of a secondary looking to build on the previous season’s NFC West title.
His campaign was interrupted in Week 2 when he suffered a broken scapula, leading to a placement on injured reserve. The Rams promoted him back to the active roster on November 29, ahead of a Week 13 matchup against the Carolina Panthers, signaling his return to the defensive rotation.
Witherspoon’s veteran experience and length remain valuable assets for Los Angeles as the team navigates the back half of its schedule. His ability to step back into a starting role after recovery will shape the Rams’ secondary depth heading into the final weeks of the regular season.