Devon Witherspoon selected in first round of 2023 NFL Draft
Devon Witherspoon, one of the top defenders on the top scoring defense last season as a cornerback at Illinois, is off the board.
Witherspoon was selected No. 5 overall by the Seattle Seahawks.
Witherspoon, originally from Pensacola, Florida, last season was a first-team Associated Press All-American and the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year after he had 17 passes defensed, 3 interceptions and 41 tackles (2.5 for loss) in 12 starts. He was a Jim Thorpe Award finalist. Witherspoon, who allowed a completion rate of just 34.9% in 2022, according to Pro Football Focus, which was the third-lowest in the country. He didn’t allow a touchdown all of last season.
He was the first defensive back to be named a consensus All-American in Illinois history, and started 32 games during his career with the Illini.
Earlier this month, Witherspoon, who is listed at 5-foot-11 and 181 pounds, ran 40-yard dash times of 4.46 and 4.42 seconds at his private workout at Illinois, according to NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah. A hamstring injury prevented him from participating at the NFL Scouting Combine or Illinois’ Pro Day in March.
It’s quite a journey for Witherspoon, who didn’t play football until his junior year of high school.
An absolute textbook hit by Devin Witherspoon 😮 pic.twitter.com/oyrQQ5kbFc
— Laterals™️ (@LateralsIG) September 3, 2022
CB Devon Witherspoon is a stud
When tape matches numbers:
-22 receptions allowed on 63 catchable tgts (only 6 went for 1st downs)
– 3 INTs, 18 forced incompletions
-25.0 passer rating when targeted (per PFF)
-Inside/Outside versatility
-Multiple highlight reel run stops pic.twitter.com/BNRDuHi2xU
— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) January 5, 2023