The Essentials

• High School: McArthur High School, Hollywood, Florida
• Position: Safety
• Height: 6'4"
• Weight: 198
• Consensus Rank:* 70 (**)

* As determined by 24/7 sports composite algorithm which combines and weights the rankings of 24/7, Rivals, Scout and ESPN to come up with one number

Witherspoon is one of many supersized defensive backs that the Bearcats recruited in the class of 2014. He is listed at 6'4" 198 pounds which is downright enormous for a freshman safety, but this is the kind of defensive back that Tuberville and defensive coordinator Hank Hughes prefer, big physical kids with the ability to swallow smaller receivers whole and deliver physical punishment for anyone with the bravado to challenge them.

Witherspoon is so big that it isn't hard to envision him sliding down to outside linebacker in the near future. Thats a move the staff has already tried with Kevin Brown who played as a true freshman at safety and was bumped to linebacker last year. Brown should be in the rotation this year, and one would imagine that Witherspoon follows, its just a matter of when.

The Bearcats were a last minute option for Witherspoon, coming through with an offer on signing day. I can think of worse guys to take a flier on. Spoon has long arms, a big frame, plenty of height and a willingness to be physical. There are plenty of tools for the Bearcats coaches to work with and develop, but it will probably take some time for that work to bear fruit. But that's what I think today, and it can change at anytime.