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Three Things To Know About Seahawks First-Round Pick Devon Witherspoon

Learn more about the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, University of Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon.

Apr 27, 2023 at 08:41 PM

Maliik Obee

Seahawks.com Contributor

After much mystery surrounding whether the Seahawks would move up or down from the No.5 pick, they stayed put, selecting Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon. Here are three things to know about the newest addition to Seattle's secondary.

1) Pro Football Focus 2022 King of The Hill

Seattle selects Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon 5th overall

ZERO TDs allowed in coverage last season🔒 pic.twitter.com/B3WR0ITmQ9
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 28, 2023

Witherspoon's senior campaign for the Fighting Illini was his best, nabbing a career-high three interceptions along with 17 passes defensed. The scrappy corner showcased his run support skills, combining for 41 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. But the Pensacola native soared to the top of Pro Football Focus’ coverage rankings for all corners across the nation. Per PFF, Witherspoon allowed just 35.5 percent of the 62 passes thrown his way to be completed. Of the 22 receptions allowed, none were given up for a touchdown.

Gordon McGuinness of PFF breaks down why Witherspoon earned a 92.5 grade in 2022, and his No.1 position.

The draft class leader in PFF coverage grade, Witherspoon allowed just 35.5% of the 62 passes thrown into his coverage to be caught, with none of the 22 receptions he allowed resulting in a touchdown.

His three interceptions were tied for 10th-most in the class, while his 14 pass breakups led draft-eligible players at the position.

2) 2022 Big Ten Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year

🟠🔵 @illinifootball’s Devon Witherspoon is the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year!#B1GFootball x #Illini pic.twitter.com/Z94ZWLsqVV
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 29, 2022

2022 was a year to remember Witherspoon, becoming the first Fighting Illini to earn Consensus All-American honors in 11 years, as well as earning First Team Big Ten honors. In addition, Witherspoon took home the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year award, the Big Ten’s highest honor for secondary players. It is the first time that a Fighting Illini defender has won the award since its inception in 2011. The dual-award honors Ohio State Legend safety Jack Tatum and Purdue Legend cornerback/safety Rod Woodson.

3) Competitive Nature

Devon Witherspoon is the most competitive corner that I’ve studied on tape since Jaire Alexander.
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) February 20, 2023

To call Witherspoon a “late-bloomer” would be a bit of an understatement, as he didn’t start playing football until his junior year of high school. It took a lot of work to make the leap to a first-round selection, but the Pine Forest High alum adjusted quickly. A year after picking up the game officially, Witherspoon was named the Pensacola Defensive Player of the Year by the Pensacola News Journal.

And while we're on the subject, I gotta pull out the gif. Devon Witherspoon in 2019 as a true freshman vs. Wisconsin. Saves the game when he grabs a sprinting receiver by the toe and surfs behind him until he falls. Goal line stand forces a FG, Illini end up winning by one. pic.twitter.com/QOG2L69USo
— Robert Rosenthal (@ALionEye) December 12, 2022

After committing to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Witherspoon earned his way on the field immediately, playing 389 snaps as a true freshman. In 12 games, Witherspoon combined for 33 tackles and 2 pass deflections. Over the last two seasons, Witherspoon climbed the ranks of the nation's best corners, nabbing 3 interceptions and recording 23 pass breakups. But the stats don't tell the full story, as Witherspoon has won over many insiders with his aggressive style of play and competitive nature.

There aren’t many corners who can set the tone for a defense with their tackling.

Devon Witherspoon is one of them. He’ll lock your top receiver down on one play and then lay a huge hit on the next. https://t.co/IckVUA3h7R
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 20, 2023

Former Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith discussed what Witherspoon brings to the table for a team prior to the draft.

"There's also a corner I like," said Smith. "He has a good mental makeup, he has good range and could be the first corner off the board. That's Devin Witherspoon from Illinois. He's really good in off-coverage, which says a lot because you need great hips and flexibility against the modern-day wideouts. I think he is the full package at the cornerback position."

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Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) during an NCAA football game against Connecticuton Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 in East Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)

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Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) defends against Minnesota in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 40-17. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

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Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the Rutgers on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. Illinois won 23 - 20. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) makes an interception in front of Rutgers wide receiver Bo Melton (18) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) reacts after making an interception with Illinois defensive back Marquez Beason (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against the Rutgers, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. Illinois won 23 - 20. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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Illinois head coach Lovie Smith stands with Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

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Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

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Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon, left, tries to recover a fumble against Northwestern during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

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Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon steps in front of and breaks up a pass intended for Nebraska wide receiver Oliver Martin late in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 28, 202, in Champaign, Ill. Illinois won 30-22. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

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Illinois defensive back Kerby Joseph (25) intercepts a pass intended for Wisconsin wide receiver Kendric Pryor (3) as Devon Witherspoon also defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

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Indiana wide receiver Cam Camper (6) is tackled by Illinois's Devon Witherspoon, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) during an NCAA football game against the Indiana on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in West Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

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Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) during an NCAA football game against the Indiana on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in West Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

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Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for Virginia's Lavel Davis Jr., during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. Illinois won 24-3. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

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Wisconsin wide receiver Chimere Dike (13) goes up for a pass under coverage by Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)

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Devon Witherspoon (31)

Illinois Fighting Illini Football vs. Michigan - 11/20/2022

David Craan/Illinois Athletics

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NFL draft prospect Devon Witherspoon takes part in a Play Football clinic ahead of the NFL draft Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at Center High School in Kansas City, Mo. The draft will run from April 27-29. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

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Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon arrives on the red carpet before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)