Andrew Witten

Andrew Witten

No. 39 – New Orleans Second Line
ISFL Hall of Famer
Position:	Cornerback
Personal information
Born:	(2013-09-22)September 22, 2013 (aged 47) Rochester, New York, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	205 lb (93 kg)
Username:	mithrandir
Career information
College:	University of Cincinnati
ISFL Draft:	S22 / Round: 1 / Pick: 12
DSFL Draft:	S21 / Round: 4 / Pick: 4
Career history
Roster status:	Active

Andrew "Gandalf" Witten (born October 9, 2015) is an American football cornerback for the Tijuana Luchadores of the DSFL. He played college football for the University of Cincinnati (UC).

Early years

"Witten grew up as a multi-sport athlete in central Kentucky. He won multiple medals in the Bluegrass State games in archery, disc golf, and baseball.

Witten was born in Rochester, NY to Martha and Randy Witten. As a small kid, he developed a competitive underdog mentality and would not shy away from competition of any kind. He exhibited mental toughness on his way to winning a junior world championship in disc golf. In high school, he led his football team to a state championship his senior year, playing snaps at wide receiver and punt returner in addition to his regular role as cornerback. He was a force on defense his junior and senior year, average one interception every other game. In spot work on offense his senior year, he caught 15 passes and 2 touchdowns. Despite his production, Witten was no heavily recruited out of high school because of his size and lack of elite speed. He received no offers from Power 5 schools despite playing in the same city as the University of Kentucky. He commited to play for the University of Cincinnati on February 5th, 2029."

College career

"Witten played four years at the University of Cincinnati, where he set the school record for most career interceptions with eighteen. In his Freshman season, Witten did not play any games until week 6, when starter Martin Kelce tore his ACL. Witten played the remaining seven games, giving up three touchdowns and intercepting two passes. Witten showed tremendous improvement during his sophomore season, starting all thirteen games for the Bearcats and finishing fifth on the team in tackles. He intercepted three passes, including one in their bowl game against the University of Arkansas. Witten got off to a hot start his junior season, picking off five passes in eight games, including two interceptions in a stellar performance against conference rival UCF, in which he also had a sack and five tackles. His season ended early due to an ankle injury the following week. Witten picked up right where he left off before an injury shortened his junior season. The Bearcats finished the 2035 season as the No. 14 team in the country with an 11-2 record. Much of that success was due to an elite defensive backfield which included Witten and fellow senior Simon Lizotte. Witten led the FBS with eight interceptions, and scored his first collegiate touchdown with a pick-six against the University of Louisville in week 4. His stellar play during his senior year has many thinking he will be a third or fourth round pick in the upcoming DSFL draft, but his lack of elite size and speed will likely prevent him from being drafted higher.

College career statistics

Career statistics			Tackles			Sacks	Interceptions		Other					Kick Returns			Punt Returns
Season	Team	Games	Reg	TFL	Total	Sack	Int	IntTD	DefTD	FFum	FRec	PD	Safety	Yds	Avg	KR TD	Yds	Avg	PR TD
2031	UC	7	33	0	33	1	2	0	0	0	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2032	UC	13	59	5	64	2.5	3	0	0	1	0	8	0	0	0	0	45	9.0	0
2033	UC	8	40	2	42	1.5	5	0	0	0	2	8	0	0	0	0	119	9.9	0
2034	UC	13	74	6	80	2	8	1	1	1	3	16	0	0	0	0	239	12.6	0
Total	UC	41	206	13	219	7	18	1	1	2	5	36	0	0	0	0	403	11.2	0

Professional career

Witten was drafted 28th overall in the S21 DSFL draft by the Tijuana Luchadores. He was the second player selected by Tijuana, after QB Ben Slothlisberger, the fourth overall selection of the draft. The Luchadores also selected CB Ozamataz Buckshank one pick after Witten at 29th.

Pre-draft measurables

Ht	Wt	40‑yd dash	20‑ss	3‑cone	Vert jump	Broad	BP	Wonderlic
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)	170 lb (77 kg)	4.58 s	4.12 s	6.87 s	34 in (0.86 m)	10 ft 0 in (3.05 m)	9 reps	35

S21 Tijuana Luchadores Andrew Witten spent the S21 season with the Tijuana Luchadores. As a rookie, he was immediately given the starting job, and started all fourteen games for the Luchadores. The Luchadores split their home/away games through six weeks, starting 3-3. After an inspiring showing by their defense, including two pick sixes in a week 7 road game against Myrtle Beach by safety Magnus Valdyr, the Luchadores were able to win two straight to take the conference lead at 5-3. The Luchadores lost five of their last six games, however, and missed making the playoffs by one game at 6-8. After having a slow start to his career, Witten had a signature performance in a week 11 loss against the Portland Pythons. In coverage for most of the game on Raheem Okusi, who led the DSFL in receiving yards in S21, Witten did not allow a single catch all game, and had two pass breakups, both on third down. After only recording 5 PDs through ten weeks, Witten broke up seven passes from week eleven to week fourteen. Witten was part of a Luchadores defense that started off hot, leading the league in points allowed and turnovers early on, but finished middle of the pack in both. Their defense led the league in defensive TDs with four, but finished last in the league in sacks, with only 25. Because of his strong late-season showing, Witten has shot up draft boards for the S22 NSFL draft. Projected as a fourth rounder early in the draft process, recent mock drafts project that Witten will be taken in the second round, perhaps as high as 18th.

S22 New Orleans Second Line The defending Ultimus champions New Orleans Second Line shocked everyone in the S22 draft by selecting Andrew Witten much higher than most had anticipated. Witten was selected with the twelfth overall pick, the last pick of the first round, joining second overall pick DT Magnus Rikiya as rookie defenders for NOLA. Later in the draft, the Second Line took two of Witten's Tijuana teammates, QB Ben Slothlisberger and S Literally Just A. Hexagon. New Orleans' talented roster which won the S21 Ultimus lost key contributors to retirement and the S22 expansion draft. As a result, NOLA started six rookies in S22: WR Ed Barker, TE Rainier Wolfcastle, DT Magnus Rikiya, DE Dorfus Jimbo Jr, LB Ugarth the Dissector, and CB Andrew Witten. Since NOLA had three strong veteran players at cornerback, Witten played the entire season at strong safety. This was a difficult transition for Witten, but around the midpoint of the season Witten hit his stride. He made an especially big difference as a run stuffer and blitzer from the safety position. In a week 6 game against the Sarasota Sailfish, Witten had a breakout performance, sacking quarterback Zach Vega twice. He followed that game up with the best game of his career up to that point. In that week 7 game at home against Baltimore, Witten recorded seven tackles and had another multi-sack game, sacking rookie quarterback Chika Fujiwara twice. In total, Witten finished with five sacks on the season, good for second most among all defensive backs and first among rookie defensive backs. He also contributed 62 tackles, a fumble recovery, and three passes defended for the NOLA Second Line defense. New Orleans was able to grab the wild card spot in the competitive ASFC, and in a road loss to the Austin Copperheads, Witten was held to only two tackles in his first playoff contest as a professional.

S23 New Orleans Second Line Despite the retirement of cornerback Deon Taylor, Witten played strong safety again for the Second Line, with nickelback Xavien Adams sliding into the outside corner role. His partner at free safety, Mason Blaylock was coming off his first Pro Bowl appearance along with a Safety of the Year award, so Witten was free to be aggressive at strong safety, knowing Blaylock had the deep part of the field covered. Witten flourished as a result, becoming more of a playmaker. With three extra games in the season after the move to a sixteen game schedule, Witten increased his sack total from five to seven, spreading sacks out over many games rather than just four in two games as he had done previously, and became a much more consistent defender. He had an incredible game in week 3, winning Defensive Player of the Game honors for his standout performance in a tough road win against the division rival Arizona Outlaws. Defenses dominated in this game, forcing six turnovers between the two teams. Witten was all over the field, making S23 Quarterback of the Year look silly. Witten racked up six tackles, a strip sack with a fumble recovery, two pass deflections, and his first career interception, which he returned 43 yards to the 1 yard line, allowing RB Marcella Toriki to punch in the touchdown to take a ten point lead in the first half. The Second Line managed to earn the #2 seed in the ASFC behind the Orange County Otters with a 9-7 record, but lost to eventually conference champions Austin Copperheads for the second consecutive postseason. Witten played well in that game with five tackles and his first postseason sack. Witten’s strong performance in S23 earned favor with the NOLA franchise, who signed him to a three-year extension at the beginning of the offseason.

S24 New Orleans Second Line With the departure of Xavien Adams in free agency to Sarasota, Witten finally got his chance to start at outside cornerback. He played the entire 24th season across from star cornerback David Rector, and was joined by several more stars in the secondary, which was affectionately nicknamed the Legion of Doot. Mason Blaylock returned at free safety coming off back to back safety of the year awards, Literally Just A. Hexagon played nickelback, and Jordan Andrews returned from a brief stint in Sarasota to play strong safety for the Second Line. Witten had a breakout campaign in his new role, making huge splashes week 1 with a dominant showing against aging but legendary quarterback Franklin Armstrong. He intercepted a pass in the red zone, broke up a pass on third down in the end zone on another drive, and finished the game with 6 tackles, 4 passes defended and the interception. Just two short weeks later, Witten turned in another career performance, recording his first ever touchdown, intercepting the reigning offensive player of the year, Jay Cue, and returning the ball for a score in a big win over the division rivals. Witten’s last highlight performance came on the road against the Baltimore Hawks. He picked off the young quarterback Chika Fujiwara twice. This was his first multiple-interception game and his performance was key to the Second Line getting the tough win on the road. The Second Line lost a close week 16 game to fall to 9-7 on the year. This put them in a four-way tie with San Jose, Orange County, and Arizona. New Orleans earned the third seed in the ASFC but lost in the wild card round to the Orange County Otters, their third straight wild card loss. Witten received many accolades for his performance in S24, including a nomination for cornerback of the year and a trip to the Pro Bowl.

DSFL regular season career statistics

Career statistics			Tackles			Sacks	Interceptions		Other					Kick Returns			Punt Returns
Season	Team	Games	Reg	TFL	Total	Sack	Int	IntTD	DefTD	FFum	FRec	PD	Safety	Yds	Avg	KR TD	Yds	Avg	PR TD
2036 (S21)	Luchadores	14	50	0	50	0	0	0	0	0	0	12	0	3	3	0	0	0	0

ISFL regular season career statistics

Career statistics			Tackles			Sacks	Interceptions		Other						Punt Returns
Season	Team	Games	Reg	TFL	Total	Sack	Int	IntTD	DefTD	FFum	FRec	PD	Safety	Blocked Punt	Yds	Avg	PR TD
2037 (S22)	Second Line	13	62	0	62	5	0	0	0	0	1	3	0	0	0	0	0
2038 (S23)	Second Line	16	76	0	76	7	1	0	0	2	1	2	0	1	5	5	0
2039 (S24)	Second Line	16	75	0	75	0	5	1	1	0	0	16	0	0	0	0	0
2040 (S25)	Second Line	16	68	0	68	0	4	1	1	1	1	21	0	0	0	0	0

ISFL postseason career statistics

Career statistics			Tackles			Sacks	Interceptions		Other
Season	Team	Games	Reg	TFL	Total	Sack	Int	IntTD	DefTD	FFum	FRec	PD	Safety
2037 (S22)	Second Line	1	2	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2038 (S23)	Second Line	1	5	0	5	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2039 (S24)	Second Line	1	5	0	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Achievements and records

University of Cincinnati Career Interceptions Leader

American Athletic Conference 2034 Defensive Player of the Year

Tijuana Luchadores Defensive Player of the Week: S21, W11.

New Orleans Second Line Defensive Player of the Week: S23, W3. S24, W1, W3, Honorable Mentions in W8 and W14. S25, W4, W6, W15.

S24 Cornerback of the Year Nominee, S25 Cornerback of the Year Runner-Up

Selected for S24 and S25 Pro Bowls, ASFC, CB. ""