Colorado University Athletics
Witherspoon Improving Rapidly In Buffs Secondary
October 06, 2015 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — When Colorado cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon intercepted an Oregon pass Saturday night, he became the seventh different CU player this year to pick off an enemy throw.
Given that the Buffs intercepted a grand total of three passes in all of 2014 (and all by the same player, Tedric Thompson), it's a significant step forward. CU head coach Mike MacIntyre and defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt have placed an emphasis this year on producing takeaways, and the Buffs have responded in fine fashion. CU has intercepted eight passes this season, and the Buffs have won all three games in which they've had more defensive takeaways than offensive turnovers.
Witherspoon's interception — the first of his CU career — came when he made a perfect read and a perfect play early in the game. Just five snaps after Oregon had intercepted a CU pass deep in Colorado territory, Witherspoon leapt in front of Ducks wide receiver Jalen Brown and snatched away a Jeff Lockie pass in the end zone.
"In that situation, coach always tells us go to out after sudden changes and hold them to at least three points," Witherspoon said, "but an interception is the perfect scenario. We always approach those situations with that type of tenacity."
The play also proved to be the perfect scenario for Witherspoon's 6-foot-3 frame.
"I was expecting a fade ball (to the corner of the end zone), but once he went to the crossing route, I knew he was going," Witherspoon said. "Once I saw him commit, I just started running full speed. Coach always tells us to undercut stuff in the end zone and make the quarterback throw over the top of you. With my height and length, I can take advantage of that. The quarterback made a pretty good throw, but I was in position to make the play."
Witherspoon's height, though, is not always an advantage.
"Those tall DBs, they have to remember to stay low and play fast," CU cornerbacks coach Charles Clark said. "He has to remember to play a little lower with those short receivers. But he has tremendous upside. He has great ball skills, long arms and good speed. He also has a great feel for the game and wants to get better."
Witherspoon by no means had a perfect game against the Ducks. He was also in coverage when the Ducks successfully converted a wide receiver pass for a 39-yard touchdown in the second quarter — but as all defensive backs will tell you, a short memory is a requirement for the position.
"At the cornerback position, you make mistakes," Witherspoon said. "The biggest thing I've learned this year is that when you make a mistake, you can't let it carry on. Not another play, a series, a game. It's really one of the biggest things I'm learning. It's like life, honestly. You learn from your mistake, you move on and do your best not to let it happen again."
Witherspoon, a junior, is technically listed behind Chidobe Awuzie on the CU depth chart. But because the Buffs have started four of five games in the nickel package this year, Witherspoon has started in those four games, and he'll likely be in the starting lineup Saturday at Arizona State (8 p.m., Pac-12 Network).. He's recorded 18 tackles thus far, with his five-tackle effort against the Ducks his best performance of the season.
"He's extremely knowledgeable and has a desire to improve," Clark said. "The biggest thing with him is every day he's gaining more confidence and using his technique and ability, which is is ball skills, to get him through. He's playing with great effort, and right now, he's playing really well."
Clark called Witherspoon an "excellent student" in the film classroom. The fact that he's now starting is a testament to that, as this is just his fourth year of playing the game.
Witherspoon played just one year of high school football at Christian Brothers in Sacramento, Calif., then moved on and played a year at Sacramento City College. He was recruited by a number of West Coast schools, but signed with Colorado and appeared in 10 games as a sophomore last year, including five on defense with one start.
Now, he's feeling more and more comfortable at the game he has played for barely four years.
"I think my season has progressed fairly well," Witherspoon said. "As the weeks have have progressed, my confidence in my footwork has improved. As a 6-3 cornerback, my footwork and technique have to be very good. If my feet aren't where they need to be, then I'm not going to be as good as I potentially can be."
With eight Pac-12 games left on the schedule, Witherspoon knows he will be seeing a plethora of pass-happy teams in the future.
"Health-wise, I'm good," Witherspoon said. "And I could tell last week that something was different. I even told my dad during the week that I felt more confident on my feet, quicker out of my breaks. It's something I'm consistently working on. I just want to be in position to make plays for our team."
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
