Devon Witherspoon has had an outstanding season by allowing only 14 catches on 47 targets per Pro Football Focus.

Witherspoon has also been selected as a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist, one of twelve defensive backs in the nation. PFF also awarded him as a Midseason All-American and has been the highest graded defensive back in the nation.

The Illinois DB has allowed 1 reception or fewer in 6 games this season.

Witherspoon and teammate Jartavius Martin both are tied in the B1G with 1.7 passes defended per game. Witherspoon ranks 5th in passes defended with 12 so far this season.

Witherspoon is 2nd in the nation in forced incompletions with 13 and has made it extremely difficult on recievers with the 3rd lowest catch percentage with 29.8.

Illinois has had a great year on defense ranking 1st nationally in total defensive yards allowed per game (232.2). The Fighting Illini also lead the nation in interceptions and with defensive backs like Witherspoon it’s not hard to see how they’ve been able to.