Devon Witherspoon (CB) – Illinois / Junior
5’11-1/2″, 181 Lbs. (Combine)
2022 Stats: 41 tackles, 32 solo tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 14 pass defended, 16 run stops, 738 snaps, QB rating when targeted: 24.6, 16 forced incompletions
{Reference: https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/devon-witherspoon-1.html}
Awards: 2022 Consensus All-America
Measurables: Wingspan: 75”, Arm: 31’ ¼ , Hands: 8 ⅞, 40-yard: 4.39 (Combine)
Games Watched: [Nino] Michigan 2022, Wyoming 2022, Minnesota 2022. [Coach] 2021 Vs. Penn St., 2022 Vs. Michigan, 2022 Vs. Minnesota
PRO’S
[Nino] Witherspoon has an elite football IQ with great length and speed. His IQ and field awareness led to many big bone crushing hits (8:50 left in 1st vs Minnesota, WR coming out of the screen to left side of the field. Witherspoon is off the LB’s edge and uses his timing to perfectly square the WR up as he turns upfield for a crushing hit). Witherspoon’s anticipation is top notch and absolutely dominates QBs that are one reads! Devon can sit back on the ball and make the WR believe he has space and then use his speed and closing ability to knock the ball away (7 min left in 2nd qtr vs Michigan 2022, ball is thrown to WR Ronnie Bell, Witherspoon closes and lays a perfectly timed hit while getting his hands on the ball and knocking away). He can see plays develop early and break out of his back pedal to close on screens and outside runs. Witherspoon has fluid hips and can mirror WRs and is never out of the play (7 mins left in 2nd qtr vs Wyoming 2022, QB takes shot to left side of the field Witherspoon is in front of the WR but is able to turn him around and get underneath for the INT and returns it 30 yds). He carries a pitbull mentality and knows he is one bad MF’er! Witherspoon is a concierge as he escorts his WRs to the sideline closing off one side of the field. Devon can cover all over the field: spread, 4 wide, outside, slot, etc.
[Coach] Very productive defending the pass, 23 passes defended over his final 2 seasons at Illinois. Witherspoon loves to compete and he lets his opponent know it’s going to be a dog fight for 4 quarters. Witherspoon is not just a coverage guy, he is a complete player, he fills as a run defender like a safety. Form tackler, wrap, head up and drive. Devon does a good job of finishing each rep, when the ball is at the receiver he does a good job of finding and playing through the receivers hands.
CON’S
[Nino] As he is physical and aggressive sometimes that leads to over pursuing the receiver/ball carrier. His press coverage can sometimes get the best of Witherspoon, which may lead to him playing a lot of Nickel. Although Witherspoon is known for his big hits a lot of those are due to elite timing and not from being a dominant physical presence.
[Coach] Over-pursuit due to aggression. Witherspoon trusts his eyes and his instincts and sometimes this puts him in a bad position when facing a savvy quarterback. Handsy, will need to adjust his play-style a bit to stay within the NFL rules and not get called for PI. Though Devon is physical/tough, he will need to pick and choose his battles as far as challenging defenders at the LOS at the next level due to his size (5’11”, 181).
OVERALL
[Nino] Witherspoon is hands down a 1st round draft pick and will have GMs and HCs that run a man scheme salivating at the mouth in round 1. His versatility will allow him to play both inside and outside on most defenses in the NFL. There are things you can teach players but football IQ and instincts are something you can’t teach — both of which Witherspoon possesses at an elite level. Witherspoon is a Day-1 impact player.
[Coach] Witherspooon is a tenacious defender that finished the 2022 season as a consensus All-American while being 2nd in the Big Ten in passes defended (14) and 8th in the Big Ten in interceptions (3). Over Devon’s final 2 seasons at Illinois, he dropped his QB rating when targeted from 86.9 as a Junior to only 24.6 as a Senior. Witherspoon is great in man coverage but he can be a liability in zone due to his over aggressive nature and eagerness to attack. Both defensive coordinators and fans will love the fire that Witherspoon plays with.
Completed by: @NinoBrown_T2T, 03/11/23
Added to: @coachschepps, 03/14/23
Reviewed & edited: J. Clark, 03/14/23
