Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is going to the Super Bowl. What a journey it has been for the zero-star recruit from Pensacola, FL. Witherspoon basically saved the Seahawks season, twice, in the fourth-quarter of the NFC title game.
"Spoon" had critical pass break-ups on both 3rd and 4th down in Seattle' narrow triumph over the L.A. Rams. And to think, he was a very lightly recruited prospect (a zero star rated recruit if you will) coming out of high school.
He went on to become one of the most decorated players in Illinois history, as he developed under Illini Head Coach Bret Bielema (who has a Super Bowl ring himself), then Defensive Coordinator Ryan Walters and then Defensive Backs Coach Aaron Henry.
An All-American and the Illini's first Thorpe Award (nation's top DB) finalist he went on to become the highest drafted defensive back in Illinois history.
Prior to Seattle drafting him 5th overall in 2023, NFL Network Draft expert Daniel Jeremiah extolled Witherspoon's virtues.
"I'm a Devon Witherspoon fan," Jeremiah said on a media conference call. "I love his game. He has that good Miami vibe. He brings good energy."
During his senior season of 2022, Witherspoon did not allow a single touchdown pass in coverage, according to the University of Illinois Sports Information Department.
That success carried over to the professional level, as he earned his third Pro Bowl berth in December. Witherspoon joined the legendary Dick Butkus as the only Illini in program history to earn Pro Bowl selections in each of their first three seasons in the NFL.
Now comes a huge test for the "Spoon Man" (you got to love that a guy with a nickname matching a Soundgarden song plays in Seattle!) and company. The Seahawks secondary will be tasked with trying to stop Stefon Diggs, Kayshoun Boutte, Mack Hollins and company in Super Bowl LX
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: Witherspoon, drafted 5th overall in 2023, is going to the Super Bowl
