Devon Witherspoon, CB Illinois: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Witherspoon was a recruit from Pine Forest High School in Pensacola, Fla. in the class of 2019

In a weak and undecided cornerback class, Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon has a chance to be selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. A former three-sport athlete, Witherspoon has the speed and agility to match receivers step-for-step and erase half of the field.

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Devon Witherspoon, CB Illinois: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Fourth-year junior outside cornerback from Pensacola, Fla.

Background: Witherspoon was a recruit from Pine Forest High School in Pensacola, Fla. in the class of 2019. He did not receive a star or recruit ranking from 247Sports, Rivals, On3.com, or ESPN. Witherspoon didn’t play football until his junior season in high school. He joined Illinois during training camp after initially planning to attend Hutchinson Community College (Kan.). Witherspoon earned Pensacola News Journal All-Area First Team honors as a senior and was the 2018 Pensacola News Journal Defensive Player of the Year. That season, he tallied 74 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, nine passes defensed, and seven interceptions. He also scored touchdowns on a fumble recovery and an interception. As a high school junior, Witherspoon produced 65 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, nine passes defensed, and four interceptions. He also played basketball and ran track, helping three Pine Forest teams to district titles as a senior (including a district championship in football). Witherspoon was a standout high jumper and contributed to multiple championship relay teams, including a Florida Class 3A state runner-up in the 4x100-meter relay. For his efforts across multiple sports, the Florida native was named the 2018 Pensacola News Journal Male Athlete of the Year. Witherspoon was born on Dec. 11, 2000.

2021 Production: 10 games, 52 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 9 passes defensed

2020 Production: 7 games, 31 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions

2019 Production: 13 games, 33 tackles, 2 passes defensed

Injuries & Off-Field: N/A

Awards: 2021 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (Media)

Pros: Some experience playing in the slot, has cut down on missed tackles since his freshman year, special teams experience on the kick coverage, punt return, punt coverage, and field goal block units, high motor player, excellent closing speed and trigger on short routes and screens, athletic profile and agility to mirror routes, willing run defender who converts speed to power at the tackle, there’s some suddenness and twitch to his game, not afraid to get physical with receivers downfield, actively fights through wide receiver blocks, showcases excellent anticipatory skills, reads and reacts to the quarterback’s eyes, stays low and patient in his backpedal, feet are quick and his hips are fluid, exciting open field speed, navigates trash to stay attached to his man, high points the ball and makes plays at the catch point, team player who blocks for his guys when they intercept passes, squeezes outside releases along the sideline, sturdy jabs and punches to throw off receivers, long speed to prevent getting stacked, doesn’t declare hips too early

Cons: Five penalties committed in 2021, needs to add some mass to compete with larger receivers, good not great arm length, block shed technique is inconsistent, sometimes falls for outside-in route and release fakes, doesn’t always get his head around, concerns his aggressiveness could draw penalties downfield, struggles to stay attached to receivers the most on curls and comebacks, needs to finish more plays with interceptions, might be shifted to the slot by some teams, could play more under control as a tackler

Overview: Witherspoon is unofficially listed at 6'0", 180 lbs. The Florida native plays on both the boundary and field sides of the defense for Illinois. The dynamic cornerback takes snaps covering X, Y, and Z receivers from a combination of press coverage and off-man. The Fighting Illini trust Witherspoon to handle these diverse assignments, often with little help. The fourth-year junior is a high motor player who shows effort and leads by example in all areas. Witherspoon blocks for his teammates when they intercept passes and is quick to congratulate his fellow defenders when they make plays. He’s a high-energy talker who loves to remind wide receivers that they’re getting locked up. Witherspoon has a quick trigger and excellent closing speed on short routes and screens. He’s also willing to come downhill and stop the run. He actively fights through wide receiver blocks and converts speed to power at the tackle point. Witherspoon has an excellent athletic profile. He possesses the agility, suddenness, and twitch to mirror routes. He has quick feet and fluid hips, which allow him to adapt to routes and releases. Witherspoon stays low and patient in his backpedal and is careful not to declare his hips too early. The former three-sport athlete is not afraid to get physical with receivers. He squeezes outside releases along the sideline and throws sturdy jabs to stall receivers. Witherspoon’s track background shows on longer plays. He has the speed to prevent getting stacked and flies around unabated in the open field. Witherspoon has excellent anticipatory skills and reads and reacts to the quarterback’s eyes. He navigates trash to stay attached to his man on short crossing routes and high points the ball to make plays at the catch point. His aggressiveness sometimes leads to penalties downfield (he committed five in 2021). Witherspoon should look to add some mass to compete with larger receivers and perform better against the run. Right now, some teams could ask him to play pure slot at the next level instead of outside corner. He appears to have good but not great arm length. Witherspoon’s block shed technique is inconsistent, and he’d benefit from playing more under control as a tackler. He sometimes falls for outside-in route and release fakes that leave receivers open heading toward the middle of the field. Witherspoon struggles the most at staying attached to receivers on curl and comeback routes. He should improve his ball skills to finish more plays with interceptions. Witherspoon will contribute on special teams immediately since he has experience on the kick coverage, punt return, punt coverage, and field goal block units.

Overall, there are some minor concerns about Witherspoon’s size, but his elite agility, instincts, and ability to consistently stay attached to wide receivers warrant a top-60 selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. I wouldn’t rule out the potential of him rising into the first round in this mediocre cornerback class. Witherspoon could play man coverage in the NFL, but letting him operate in zone will allow his instincts and physical traits to flourish in read-and-react situations.

Role & Scheme Fit: Outside corner in a zone-based scheme

Round Projection: Mid Second to Mid Third

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 10-11-22