Buffs Sign Two JUCO Players to Letters of Intent

BOULDER - University of Colorado head football coach Mike MacIntyre announced Thursday the signing of two junior college prospects to letters-of-intent.

Wyatt Tucker Smith, a long snapper from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and Ahkello Witherspoon, a cornerback from Sacramento City College are the first two signees in CU's 2014 recruiting class.

Witherspoon, 6-3, 180, played one season at SCC and will be a sophomore in eligibility, with four years to play three in eligibility.  He had 21 tackles this past season (15 solo), and tied for third in the Mid-Empire Conference in interceptions with three.  He also had seven pass deflections and forced a fumble.  He played his high school ball for Christian Brothers in Sacramento, where he not only was a cornerback his senior season, but also the team's placekicker.

"He is a big athletic corner who is smart and has very good range and speed," MacIntyre said.  "He's unique because over the last 16 months or so, he's really sprouted, growing almost seven inches to 6-foot-3, and he still has the same speed and quickness."  Witherspoon, who was highly sought after by several schools in the west after being what many called a late bloomer, will enroll for the spring semester.

Smith, 6-2, 230 with three years to play two in eligibility, will also join the team in the spring semester.  He handled all 60 punt and 122 placement snaps over the last two years at MGCCC, centering for junior college All-American kicker Stephen Brauchle as a freshman in 2012 and for second-team All-American punter Kevin Phillips this past fall.  He had nary a bad snap in the 182, and forced an estimated 25-30 fair catches over the two seasons combined on coverage duty.

He played his prep ball at Gulfport (Miss.) High School, where he served as his team's long snapper his junior and senior years, along with playing tackle, guard and tight end at various junctures of his career.

"He is an excellent long snapper, and like Ryan Iverson (CU's snapper the last four years), he has very good speed and can get down and cover," MacIntyre said.  "He's very bright, and is very consistent and can handle all snaps, punt and placements."

MacIntyre indicated the Buffaloes were still courting one other junior college recruit, otherwise the next round of new players will be introduced on national letter-of-intent day, which is February 5.