Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon was my CB1 in this draft class for a host of reasons, but his play demeanor was certainly one of them. At 5-foot-11 and 181 pounds, Witherspoon has no issue whatsoever throwing his body around and making opponents feel it. In that regard, he’s a real throwback to Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, and Kam Chancellor — the Legion of Boom DBs who loved to clean you clock on the field, and then ask you exactly how you liked it.
Witherspoon added to his portfolio once again on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, when he just blew receiver Rondale Moore the heck up on this quick pass.
Devon Witherspoon laying the BOOM 💥 pic.twitter.com/tC06VRLa04
— PFF (@PFF) October 22, 2023
If you had watched Witherspoon’s college tape, as the guys at PFF certainly did, you would know that the rookie was just as excited about demolishing opponents during his collegiate career.
Ask Indiana running back Shaun Shivers how that went back in his college days. https://t.co/jv3W2eCVho pic.twitter.com/I4iXfAlLUe
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) October 22, 2023
Witherspoon has also had a sack and an interception in this game that were negated by penalties on other players. He’s certainly making his case for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
