Devon Witherspoon

Last updated

Devon Witherspoon
Devon Witherspoon FanDuel Interview (cropped).png
Witherspoon in 2023
No. 21 – Seattle Seahawks
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (2000-12-11) December 11, 2000 (age 23)
Pensacola, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school: Pine Forest (Pensacola, Florida)
College: Illinois (2019–2022)
NFL draft: 2023  / round: 1 / pick: 5
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 11, 2024
Total tackles:138
Sacks:3.0
Forced fumbles:2
Pass deflections:22
Interceptions:1
Defensive touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Devon Marquis Witherspoon (born December 11, 2000) is an American professional football cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini, where he was named the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year in 2022. Witherspoon was selected by the Seahawks fifth overall in the 2023 NFL draft.

Contents

Early life

Devon Witherspoon attended Pine Forest High School in Pensacola, Florida. Initially concentrating his athletic abilities on basketball, Witherspoon did not begin playing football until his junior year of high school. [1] As a senior in 2018, he was the Pensacola News Journal Defensive Player of the Year after recording 74 tackles, seven interceptions and two touchdowns. [2] He committed to play college football at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. [3]

College career

Witherspoon with Illinois in 2022. Devon Witherspoon.jpg
Witherspoon with Illinois in 2022.

Witherspoon was the only true freshman to start on defense for the Illinois Fighting Illini in 2019. [1] He wound up playing in every game, making 33 tackles. As a sophomore in 2020, he recorded 33 tackles and two interceptions. [4] [5]

He played and started 10 games his junior year in 2021, finishing with 52 tackles and one sack. [6] Witherspoon returned to Illinois his senior year in 2022, beginning the year as the Big Ten Conference leader in passes defended. [7]

A supremely confident player, Witherspoon was regarded as the leading trash-talker on the Fighting Illini team during his tenure. When asked about the biggest talkers on the squad, offensive teammate Isaiah Williams joked that "Spoon is number one. Spoon is at one and then we go to like five." [8]

"I gotta talk, it's just me. I can't live without doing it," Witherspoon acknowledged. [8]

During his senior year Witherspoon was named one of twelve finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, presented to the nation's top defensive back. [7] He was selected as the 2022 Tatum–Woodson Defensive Back of the Year, an award given to the top defensive back in the Big Ten Conference, and was named a consensus All-American at the season's conclusion. [9]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split
5 ft 11+1⁄2 in
(1.82 m)		181 lb
(82 kg)		31+1⁄4 in
(0.79 m)		8+7⁄8 in
(0.23 m)		4.45 s1.58 s2.55 s
[10]

Witherspoon was selected by the Seattle Seahawks fifth overall in the 2023 NFL draft. [11] The Seahawks obtained this draft pick as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos in the previous offseason. [12]

In Week 4 of the 2023 season, Witherspoon recorded his first career interception on a pass from quarterback Daniel Jones in a 24-3 win against the New York Giants. He returned the interception 97 yards for a pick-six, [13] the second-longest pick-six in team history, the longest being a 98 yard pick six by Bobby Wagner against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 13 of the 2018 season. [14] That same game, Witherspoon became the third rookie in NFL history to record 2.0+ sacks and a pick-six in a single game, along with Todd Shell and Andy Katzenmoyer, and the first player, rookie or not, to record both 2.0+ sacks and a 95+ yard pick six in a game since sacks became an official stat in 1982. [15] For this performance, Witherspoon won National Football Conference Defensive Player of the Week. [16] As a rookie, he appeared in 14 games and started 13. He finished with three sacks, 79 total tackles (56 solo), one interception, 16 passes defended, and one forced fumble. [17] He was named to the PFWA NFL All-Rookie Team. [18] He earned Pro Bowl honors. [19]

NFL career statistics

Legend
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesTacklesInterceptionsFumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckPDIntYdsAvgLngTDFFFR
2023 SEA 14137956233.01619797.097T110
Career 14137956233.01619797.097T110

Related Research Articles

Andrew Warren Katzenmoyer is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Patriots in the first round of the 1999 NFL draft. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, and became the first Buckeye to win the Butkus Award. His playing career was shortened due to a neck injury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shawn Springs</span> American football player (born 1975)

Shawn Springs is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, earning All-American honors. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks third overall in the 1997 NFL draft, and played for the Seahawks, Washington Redskins and New England Patriots, and was a Pro Bowl selection in 1998.

Jimmy Ray Williams was an American professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2001 NFL draft. He played college football at Vanderbilt. Williams prepped at Episcopal High School in Baton Rouge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terrell Thomas</span> American football player (born 1985)

Terrell R. Thomas is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans. He was selected by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft. He is also only the second player in NFL history, after linebacker Thomas Davis, to play a down in the league after suffering from three torn ACLs in the same knee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coby Bryant</span> American football player (born 1999)

Coby Bryant is an American professional football safety for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats. He wears his jersey number 8 as a tribute to Kobe Bryant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malcolm Jenkins</span> American football player (born 1987)

Malcolm Jenkins is an American former professional football player who was a safety for 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, earning consensus All-American honors, and winning the Jim Thorpe Award as a senior. He was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft and played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 2014 to 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Janoris Jenkins</span> American football player (born 1988)

Janoris Jermain Jenkins, nicknamed "Jackrabbit", is an American professional football cornerback. He played college football for the North Alabama Lions and Florida Gators and was selected by the St. Louis Rams in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft. Jenkins had his most success as a member of the New York Giants, who he played 4 seasons with and made a Pro Bowl, and also had stints with the New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loucheiz Purifoy</span> American gridiron football player (born 1992)

Loucheiz Purifoy is an American professional football defensive back for the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Purifoy played college football for the University of Florida. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent after the 2014 NFL draft, and has also been a member of the Seattle Seahawks, BC Lions, Ottawa Redblacks, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcus Peters</span> American football player (born 1993)

Marcus Peters is an American professional football cornerback who is a free agent. He was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft and has also been a member of the Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, and Las Vegas Raiders. He played college football for the Washington Huskies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jalen Ramsey</span> American football player (born 1994)

Jalen Lattrel Ramsey is an American professional football cornerback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles and was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars fifth overall in the 2016 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quandre Diggs</span> American football player (born 1993)

Quandre Diggs is an American professional football safety for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Texas, and was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL draft. He played his first two years in the NFL as a cornerback before being moved to safety. In 2019, Diggs was traded to the Seattle Seahawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desmond King (American football)</span> American football player (born 1994)

Desmond King II is an American professional football cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He earned All-Pro honors in 2018 as both a defensive back and a punt returner. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and was a unanimous All-American. King was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL draft. He has also played for the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xavien Howard</span> American football player (born 1993)

Xavien Howard is an American professional football cornerback. He played college football for the Baylor Bears and was selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins, where he spent eight seasons with the team. During his tenure in Miami, Howard was a four-time Pro Bowler, a two-time All-Pro member, and led the league in interceptions twice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chidobe Awuzie</span> American football player (born 1995)

Chidobe Richard Awuzie is an American professional football cornerback for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft. He played college football at Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ahkello Witherspoon</span> American football player (born 1995)

James Ahkello Elec Witherspoon is an American professional football cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Sacramento City College and Colorado and has played in the National Football League for the San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Los Angeles Rams.

Byron Murphy Jr. is an American professional football cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Washington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Isaiah Simmons</span> American football player (born 1998)

Isaiah Simmons is an American professional football safety for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Clemson Tigers and was selected by the Arizona Cardinals eighth overall in the 2020 NFL draft. While at Clemson, Simmons was noted for his positional versatility as he played linebacker, defensive end, cornerback and safety.

Kerby Joseph is an American professional football safety for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Illinois.

Tariq "Riq" Woolen is an American professional football cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UTSA Roadrunners and was selected by the Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft. Woolen made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rams–Seahawks rivalry</span> National Football League rivalry

The Rams–Seahawks rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks.

References

  1. 1 2 Kimball, Anderson (August 5, 2022). "Devon Witherspoon succeeding as Illinois' top cornerback and trash-talker". Pantagraph.com. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  2. ↑ Achatz, Brian (December 24, 2018). "Witherspoon's lockdown defense was equally important as his enthusiasm and spark". Pensacola News Journal. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  3. ↑ Wallace, Eric J. (July 30, 2019). "Pine Forest standout Devon Witherspoon to play football at Illinois". Pensacola News Journal. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  4. ↑ Hayes, Pete (November 10, 2020). "Lovie: Pound-for-pound, Witherspoon is Illini's toughest". Alton Telegraph. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  5. ↑ Achatz, Brian (December 11, 2020). "Witherspoon breaks down journey from JUCO through rise at Illinois". Pensacola News Journal. Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  6. ↑ Kimball, Anderson (August 5, 2022). "Devon Witherspoon succeeding as Illinois' top cornerback and trash-talker". Pantagraph.com. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  7. 1 2 Kimball, Anderson (August 7, 2022). "Climbing the Charts: Devon Witherspoon Succeeding as Illinois' Top Cornerback". Southern Illinoisan. p. A6. Retrieved June 2, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  8. 1 2 Werner, Jeremy (August 2, 2022). "Brash Illini CB Devon Witherspoon backs up talking trash: 'He's a hell of a competitor'". 247Sports. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  9. ↑ Farrar, Doug (September 2, 2022). "Illinois' Devon Witherspoon's killer tackle based on football smarts". Touchdown Wire. Archived from the original on February 9, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Devon Witherspoon Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Seahawks Select CB Devon Witherspoon With 5th Overall Pick". Seahawks.com. April 27, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  12. ↑ DiLalla, Aric (March 16, 2022). "Broncos trade for nine-time Pro Bowl QB Russell Wilson". Denver Broncos. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  13. ↑ Williams, Charean (October 3, 2023). "Devon Witherspoon's 97-yard pick-six gives Seahawks 21-3 lead". NBC Sports. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  14. ↑ Mathews, Liz (February 20, 2019). "Bobby Wagner's pick-6 ranked 7th-best defensive touchdown of 2018". Seahawks Wire. USA Today. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  15. ↑ Farrar, Doug (October 2, 2023). "Seahawks rookie CB Devon Witherspoon makes NFL history with massive game". Touchdown Wire. USA Today.
  16. ↑ Gordon, Grant (October 4, 2023). "Bills quarterback Josh Allen, 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey highlight Players of the Week". NFL.com. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Devon Witherspoon 2023 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  18. ↑ "2023 NFL All-Rookie Team". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
  19. ↑ Obee, Mallik (January 5, 2024). "Friday Round-Up: Devon Witherspoon Makes Fighting Illini History as Rookie Pro Bowl Selection". Seahawks.com. Retrieved July 13, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.