Devon Marquis Witherspoon Bio
Devon Marquis Witherspoon is an American professional football cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini, where he was named the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year in 2022. Witherspoon was selected by the Seahawks fifth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft and has established himself as one of the premier cornerbacks in the league. He was the first cornerback selected in the 2023 Draft and became the highest defensive back ever drafted from Illinois, surpassing Vontae Davis. Witherspoon has earned Pro Bowl honors in each of his first three professional seasons and won Super Bowl LX with the Seahawks in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Devon Marquis Witherspoon was born on December 11, 2000, in Pensacola, Florida. He attended Pine Forest High School in Pensacola, where he initially focused his athletic abilities on basketball before beginning to play football during his junior year. Despite his late start in the sport, Witherspoon quickly developed into a standout defensive player. As a senior in 2018, he was named the Pensacola News Journal Defensive Player of the Year after recording 74 tackles, seven interceptions, and two touchdowns. His impressive high school performance earned him recognition as one of the top defensive prospects in the region.
Witherspoon demonstrated exceptional instincts and physical tools that translated immediately to the college level. His journey from a basketball player to a major college football recruit showcased his athletic versatility and dedication to mastering a new sport in a short timeframe. The foundation he built during his single season of meaningful high school football prepared him for the challenges of competing at the Division I level.
Path to the NFL
Witherspoon committed to play college football at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign following his standout senior season at Pine Forest High School. He arrived at Illinois as a highly regarded recruit and immediately made an impact. In 2019, Witherspoon became the only true freshman to start on defense for the Fighting Illini, appearing in every game and recording 33 tackles. His performance as a true freshman demonstrated his readiness for collegiate competition and hinted at his future potential as an elite defensive back.
During his sophomore season in 2020, Witherspoon continued his development, recording 33 tackles and two interceptions while maintaining his starting role. His consistency and ball skills caught the attention of Big Ten opponents and scouts. As a junior in 2021, he started 10 games and finished the season with 52 tackles and one sack, further establishing himself as a disruptive force in the secondary. His physical style of play and confidence in press coverage set him apart from other defensive backs in the conference.
Devon Marquis Witherspoon Career
College Career (2019–2022)
Witherspoon returned to Illinois for his senior season in 2022, and it became the defining year of his collegiate career. He began the year as the Big Ten Conference leader in passes defended and maintained that dominance throughout the season. His confidence and trash-talking ability became a trademark of his personality on the field, with teammates acknowledging him as the most vocal player on the Fighting Illini defense. One teammate joked that Witherspoon was number one on the trash-talking scale and the rest of the team was far behind.
During his senior year, Witherspoon was named one of twelve finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, presented annually to the nation’s top defensive back. He was selected as the 2022 Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year, earning recognition as the top defensive back in the Big Ten Conference. At the conclusion of the season, Witherspoon was named a consensus All-American, cementing his status as one of the best defensive backs in college football. His 2022 season positioned him as a top prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft.
Seattle Seahawks Breakthrough (2023)
The Seattle Seahawks selected Devon Marquis Witherspoon fifth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. The pick was acquired as part of the blockbuster Russell Wilson trade with the Denver Broncos, making Witherspoon a key piece in Seattle’s plans to rebuild their defense. He notably became the third of five defensive backs drafted from the same Illinois secondary spanning from 2018 to 2020, highlighting the program’s success in developing NFL talent. Witherspoon was the first cornerback selected in the entire 2023 Draft.
On July 28, 2023, the Seahawks signed Witherspoon to a fully-guaranteed four-year, $31.86 million rookie contract that included a signing bonus of $20.17 million. He entered training camp as the de facto No. 1 starting cornerback under defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt. Head coach Pete Carroll named him the top starting cornerback to begin the season, pairing him with Tariq Woolen to anchor the secondary.
Witherspoon suffered a hamstring injury during practice on August 7, 2023, causing him to miss the entire preseason and the Seahawks’ Week 1 season-opener against the Los Angeles Rams. He made his professional regular season debut on September 17, 2023, earning his first career start and recording five combined tackles and one pass breakup during a 37-31 overtime victory at the Detroit Lions.
On October 2, 2023, Witherspoon recorded seven combined tackles, two sacks, and returned his first career interception 97 yards for a touchdown during a 24-3 victory at the New York Giants. The pick-six against Daniel Jones became the second-longest interception return for a touchdown in franchise history. Witherspoon became the third rookie in NFL history to record 2.0 or more sacks and a pick-six in a single game, along with Todd Shell and Andy Katzenmoyer. His performance earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He finished his rookie season with 79 combined tackles, 16 pass deflections, three sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, and one touchdown in 14 games and 13 starts, earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors and his first Pro Bowl selection.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2024–Present)
On January 31, 2024, the Seahawks announced the hiring of Mike Macdonald from the Baltimore Ravens as their new head coach following Pete Carroll’s departure. Witherspoon returned to training camp as the de facto No. 1 starting cornerback under the new coaching staff. He was named a starting cornerback alongside Tariq Woolen entering the 2024 season. In Week 11, he set a season-high with eight combined tackles and three pass deflections during a 20-17 victory at the San Francisco 49ers. On December 26, 2024, he recorded his lone sack of the season during a 6-3 win at the Chicago Bears. Witherspoon started all 17 games throughout the 2024 NFL season, finishing with 98 combined tackles, nine pass deflections, and one sack while earning his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection.
In the 2025 season, Witherspoon suffered a knee injury in Seattle’s Week 1 game, causing him to miss five games. On December 7, 2025, he made his first career fumble recovery during a 37-9 road win at the Atlanta Falcons. In 12 games played, Witherspoon recorded 72 combined tackles, seven pass deflections, one interception, and one fumble recovery, earning his third consecutive Pro Bowl selection. In the playoffs, Seattle defeated the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams before winning Super Bowl LX, 29-13, against the New England Patriots. Witherspoon recorded one sack and four tackles in the Super Bowl victory, becoming a Super Bowl champion in just his third professional season. On March 20, 2026, the Seahawks exercised the fifth-year option on his contract, securing his services through the 2027 season.
Playing Style and Strengths
Witherspoon is known for his physical, aggressive style of play and exceptional confidence in press coverage. His ability to disrupt receivers at the line of scrimmage combined with his tackling ability makes him a complete cornerback. His instincts and ball skills were evident from his rookie season, as demonstrated by his ability to create turnovers and score touchdowns. Witherspoon’s trash-talking personality translates to his competitive nature on the field, where he plays with a chip on his shoulder and refuses to back down from any challenge. His versatility allows the Seahawks to use him in various coverage schemes while maintaining his status as the team’s top shadow cornerback against opposing team’s best receivers.
Notable Events and Milestones
Witherspoon’s rookie season was marked by several historic accomplishments. His 97-yard pick-six against the New York Giants in Week 4 of the 2023 season ranks as the second-longest interception return for a touchdown in Seahawks franchise history. Becoming only the third rookie in NFL history to record 2.0 or more sacks and a pick-six in a single game, alongside elite company in Todd Shell and Andy Katzenmoyer, highlighted his unique ability to impact games in multiple ways. His rapid ascent from a late-blooming high school football player to a top-five NFL Draft pick and Super Bowl champion in just three seasons represents one of the most remarkable trajectories in recent football history.
Devon Marquis Witherspoon Career Statistics
Witherspoon has compiled impressive statistics across his first three professional seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, establishing himself as one of the most productive cornerbacks in the league. His ability to make plays in coverage, defend passes, and contribute against the run has made him an indispensable part of Seattle’s defense.
NFL Career Highlights
Through three seasons, Witherspoon has recorded 249 total tackles, 32 pass deflections, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one defensive touchdown. His most prolific season came in 2024 when he started all 17 games and recorded 98 combined tackles. In the 2023 season, he made an immediate impact with three sacks and one interception returned for a touchdown, showcasing his ability to create game-changing plays. His 97-yard pick-six remains one of the most memorable plays of his career and demonstrates his rare combination of speed, instincts, and playmaking ability.
In Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots, Witherspoon contributed one sack and four tackles during the Seahawks’ 29-13 victory, cementing his legacy as a player who performs on the biggest stage. His three consecutive Pro Bowl selections to begin his career underscore his consistent excellence and recognition among the league’s top cornerbacks.
Season-by-Season Performance
In his rookie season of 2023, Witherspoon appeared in 14 games with 13 starts, recording 79 tackles, 16 pass deflections, three sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, and one touchdown. His 2024 campaign saw him start all 17 games, finishing with 98 tackles, nine pass deflections, and one sack while earning his second Pro Bowl selection. The 2025 season was interrupted by injury, but he still managed 72 tackles, seven pass deflections, one interception, and one fumble recovery in 12 starts, earning his third consecutive Pro Bowl berth and contributing to Seattle’s Super Bowl championship run.
Family
Witherspoon grew up in Pensacola, Florida, where he attended Pine Forest High School. His journey to NFL stardom began with a unique path, as he initially focused on basketball before discovering his passion for football during his junior year of high school. This unconventional start, combined with his rapid development into an elite college and professional player, has made him a notable success story in the NFL.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season presented challenges for Witherspoon, as he suffered a knee injury in Seattle’s season-opening game that forced him to miss five consecutive weeks. Despite the setback, he demonstrated resilience upon his return to the field. His performance against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 14 marked a milestone as he recorded his first career fumble recovery during a dominant 37-9 victory. Witherspoon’s ability to bounce back from injury and maintain his high level of play exemplified the mental toughness that has characterized his career.
Throughout the 2025 season, Witherspoon continued to serve as the cornerstone of Seattle’s secondary despite the injury limitation. His 12 starts produced 72 tackles, seven pass deflections, and one interception, numbers that would have been higher with a full complement of games. The Seahawks’ coaching staff relied heavily on his leadership and playmaking ability as the team navigated a challenging schedule. His third consecutive Pro Bowl selection, announced at season’s end, validated his status among the league’s elite cornerbacks despite the injury-shortened campaign.
The playoffs proved to be a different story as Witherspoon played a pivotal role in Seattle’s championship run. The Seahawks’ defense, anchored by Witherspoon’s steady presence, delivered dominant performances against the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams in the divisional and conference championship rounds. In Super Bowl LX against the New England Patriots, Witherspoon contributed a sack and four tackles during the decisive 29-13 victory. His performance in the Super Bowl, combined with his season-long resilience in overcoming injury, solidified his reputation as a player who elevates his game when the stakes are highest. The championship win represented the culmination of Witherspoon’s rapid ascent from fifth-overall pick to Super Bowl champion in just three professional seasons.