Everyone was smiling when Alabama defensive lineman Garrett Witherington announced his commitment to Kentucky.
Garrett Witherington believes his versatility is one of his best strengths but he also knows to play on the defensive line in the Southeastern Conference that he has to improve his size, speed and strength.
The 6-foot-5, 290-pound defensive lineman from Birmingham, Ala., recently gave his verbal commitment to Kentucky after taking an official visit in mid-June when defensive coordinator Brad White and defensive line coach Anwar Stewart showed him how they planned to use him.
“They kind of see me like a hybrid. They liked how versatile I am and that I can play multiple positions. I could play end, tackle or nose,” Witherington said. “Even at 290 (pounds) I can play multiple positions.”
He’s been working on his quickness and recently started taking Pilates, a mind-body exercise that enhances muscle tone and stability.
“It should help me get more flexible and able to bend more. I am excited to see how much it will help me over the next few months,” Witherington said. “There is somebody here who does it for a bunch of football players, but I am the biggest guy in the class.”
Witherington took an unofficial visit to Kentucky to watch the Wildcats beat Southern Mississippi to open the 2024 season before taking his official visit to UK in June.
“Everything is just awesome at Kentucky from the locker room to the weight room to the practice fields. It was all awesome and impossible not to like,” Witherington said. “For me, Kentucky was just the best of all worlds. It’s a SEC football school with great coaches. All the coaches are great people who know a lot about football. And the relationships the coaches and players have with each other was so neat to see. they all get along so well.”
Like almost every youngster in Alabama, Witherington admitted the dream was to play for Alabama or Auburn.
“My mom went to Auburn and my dad to Alabama, so it was pretty split in my house,” Witherington said. “Now I am happy to beat up on both of them. I had some tough choices on schools but Kentucky just stood out and my parents are super happy. They were both cheering when I made my announcement.”
Witherington also plays in the offensive line at tackle or tight end at times for Briarwood Christian.
“I can catch passes, too. I caught a touchdown pass two years ago in the playoffs. I blocked, ran a route and they just threw it up to me and I caught it,” Witherington said. “But mainly I am a blocker. We had a running back committed to Jacksonville State and when we needed a few yards I just told him just to run behind my butt.
“Playing offense and learning how to block helps me know how to beat blocks. It teaches me where to hit them (offensive linemen) and what time to hit them to get them off balance. It helps me learn how to find holes and pinpoint where I need to get to on defense to get a tackle or sack.”
Witherington grew up also playing basketball and baseball but football was his true love. He started playing tackle football in kindergarten.
“My dad got me started playing as soon as he could. He played football growing up and wanted me to play,” the UK commit said. “I was always a big kid. I was 5-foot-8 in fifth grade. I was always taller and bigger than everybody else but there was just something about football that I always loved.”
7 Responses
Another versatile athlete with great potential. He has winning coaches at DC & DL who have proven they can recruit & develop players AT UK instead of putting all their cards in the Transfer game.
The secondary D coach has been a weak point, especially in 3rd & long. Hopefully this season the new coach will use the cornerbacks much better than in the recent years. UK has had some outstanding secondary players but too often we’re not out in a position to use their skills on every play instead of just some plays. The secondary D can help elevate the entire D if they just do their part.
The defensive side of the ball has been worn down by a lot of UK 3 & outs. So the offense needs a major overhaul in order to give the D a fair chance to excel in the strong SEC.
This kid has great talent and as long as he stays and works hard I can see him carving out a role as a red shirt freshman. I watched his tape and the kid can play literally anywhere on the line. He has a high motor. I agree Baron our secondary and offensive line have both been terrible the last 2-3 years. I think our problems with both of these units are done. What I can't understand ie the last 2 years we've had a cornerback go pro after there junior years. So evidently they are great players just not put in the right situation to make a play. We have the softest zone coverage I've ever seen. Its almost like we would let them catch the ball no matter if it was 3rd and 6 or 3rd and 14 it seems like the offense always gets just enough yards for a first down. With both Waller and Hardaway back, we will be much better in the secondary with experience. Hairston was a great corner but he was always hurt. Which gave Waller more time to develop. Our safeties Ty Bryant and Jordan Lovett 2 Kentucky boys. Who are going to protect our defense this year. In the secondary we have great youth and great experience. Yes Louisville has won the state in recruiting this year but to be honest. I would only go after the top 10 kids in the state. If this kid played high school football in Kentucky he would be a 4* and considered one of the best players in the state of Kentucky. I absolutely love how our recruiting is looking so far. It kinda reminds me of the guys Stoops was getting his 3rd and 4th year on the job. Hungry and humble kids who will work to play. Not ask how much they will play and let there games do the talking. Now I see why Eddie Gran was not liking what Marrow has been doing the last couple of years and I agree. The culture changed we went after hard working kids who wanted to work to get better. To players who were punks and felt entitled. That's how last years Kentucky team was punks. I'm glad Brown is gone. Everyone was crying like the world ended because he left. But he was a big locker room problem. A punk that never shut his mouth but if the defender even breathed on him he would fall down. Lol. I love this Kentucky team and I know you will too after watching how much grit and determination they have. Calzada is the man!
Agree 100% – I think the DC & DL coach get the most out of nearly every player. There are always exceptions & students at 18-22 years old are in a big transition in their lives & if they have personal problems one day, or week or year – then it’s going to take a toll on them and teammates & be a challenge for coaches. I think Walker was positioned to be one of the best DL players in the nation in 2024, and even tho he got drafted, it was not near where I had expected (prior to that last season). Probably will never know what made a difference, but he was not nearly the player he was in 2023. I was really pulling for him, and still hope he rebounds and has a terrific pro career.
WHAT!!! No compliments from “Jimmy the Whiner” even after I give a big compliment to the UK DC & DL coach!
Go change your Diaper and grab your pacifier.
I will no longer respond to your attacks just because you disagree with my opinion about sports, it’s so insignificant in the big picture. I regret getting caught up in the bantering. It is way beyond funny or interesting.
May the Lord have mercy on your troubled soul.
“Look away unto Jesus…” Heb 12:2a
He will heal the heart & restore the soul of any man who calls upon His Holy Name!
A Real religious person would never talk about Anybody the way you do. Whether it's a coach, player or anyone else. It is disgusting to me how people hide behind religion. I see all these people on the news wearing a cross saying things that the Lord Jesus Christ would never condone. I quit going to church because it's 99% full of Hypocrites.