Former Illini Football star ranked as Top 10 NFL DB

Former Illini football star, Devon Witherspoon, was ranked as a top 10 defensive back in the NFL by top execs, scouts, and coaches. In a recent story by ESPN NFL reporter, Jeremy Fowler spoke with top executives and personnel to compile a list of the best defensive backs. Witherspoon, a second-year player for the Seattle Seahawks, was listed as the ninth-best amongst an awe-inspiring list of defensive backs. After an extremely impressive rookie season, the 23-year-old Witherspoon is ready for stardom.

During his rookie year, the former Illini had 79 total tackles, 16 pass deflections, 8 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. He also made the top five for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.

ESPN talked with execs, scouts and coaches to rank their top 10 at every position.

Cornerback is up next:

1. Patrick Surtain II
2. Denzel Ward
3. Sauce Gardner
4. L’Jarius Sneed
5. Jalen Ramsey
6. Trent McDuffie
7. Jaire Alexander
8. Jaylon Johnson
9. Devon Witherspoon
10.… https://t.co/5xkTl2QDtF

— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) July 18, 2024

DB U

Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Devon Witherspoon is certainly at the forefront of Illini football coining the reputation that it now does for  “DB U”. Along with Witherspoon, Sydney Brown, Quan Martin, Nate Hobbs, and Kerby Joseph are all established former Illini who are heavily contributing to their respective NFL teams. In fact, this reputation helped Illinois land DB Terrance Brooks in the transfer portal over some of the top schools in the nation. Look for the Illini to continue to sell the successes of these talented defensive backs.

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