Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon stood on a sideline Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis doing an interview with NFL Community’s Stacey Dales whereas the highest defensive again prospects labored out.
Witherspoon, one of many highest-rated cornerbacks on this 12 months’s draft, was imagined to be figuring out with them, however a hamstring situation prevented him from doing on-field testing. He instructed Dales the damage was “nothing severe” and he anticipated to work out for groups both at Illinois’ professional day on March 10 or throughout non-public exercises.
However he clearly was dissatisfied.
“It messes with me,” he stated. “I wish to be on the market with the blokes, the highest prospects world wide. However I’ve nonetheless received to cheer my guys on, be sure that they’re doing good within the drills.”
Witherspoon was certainly one of three Illinois defensive backs on the mix final week together with safeties Sydney Brown and Jartavius “Quan” Martin.
After an All-America season in 2022 during which he had three interceptions, 17 passes defended, 41 tackles and 2½ tackles for a loss, Witherspoon entered the week within the high 10 of mock drafts by NFL Community analyst Daniel Jeremiah and ESPN’s Mel Kiper. The final Illini gamers drafted within the first spherical have been defensive finish Whitney Mercilus and huge receiver A.J. Jenkins in 2012.
In a convention name earlier than the mix, Jeremiah stated he’s “a giant fan of the blokes they’ve received within the secondary there at Illinois” and devoted quite a lot of time to his appreciation for Witherspoon, who's 5-foot-11 and 181 kilos. That began with Witherspoon’s instincts, pure really feel, consciousness and route recognition.
“He sees issues earlier than they develop,” Jeremiah stated. “Typically you may see guys which have the athletic potential, and typically you see guys that actually have studied movie they usually know the best way to play. And it’s not widespread if you see guys which have all that wrapped up collectively. He does. He's a whole package deal that approach.
“I imply, I want he was 200 kilos. He's going to be slightly bit lighter, however he simply pulls the set off. He doesn't play with any hesitation. He performs with final aggressiveness and confidence and urgency.”
Jeremiah went on to reward Witherspoon’s edge and power. Brown and Martin echoed these feedback when requested throughout their mix media periods about their teammate.
“He’s an final competitor,” Brown stated. “His willingness to play towards anyone and dominate is why he’s particular.”
Jeremiah additionally had flattering feedback for Brown and Martin, whom Kiper ranked because the third- and seventh-best safeties within the draft getting into mix week.
Martin, who had three interceptions, 14 passes defended, 64 tackles, three tackles for a loss and two pressured fumbles in 2022, dubbed himself “probably the most versatile DB on this draft.” Jeremiah stated Martin may very well be a Day 1 beginning nickel within the NFL.
“He's fast and fluid,” Jeremiah stated. “He can change instructions. He's a bodily hitter. He exhibits you his toughness. I’m curious to see what the pure pace is. That’s the one field left for him to verify, however I assumed he was anyone that would are available and be a very good nickel instantly.”
When Martin spoke to the media Thursday, he famous he had heard questions on his pace.
“I’m very assured in what I’ll run,” he stated. “I simply wish to showcase my pace, my potential, my agility.”
Martin made Kiper’s checklist of mix risers after he ran the 40-yard sprint in 4.46 seconds, third amongst safeties, and was finest amongst safeties within the broad leap (11 ft, 1 inch) and vertical leap (44 inches).
In the meantime, Brown, who attended the mix with twin brother and Illini working again Chase Brown, made NFL Community’s all-combine staff with a 4.47-second 40, a 10-10 broad leap and a 40½-inch vertical. Jeremiah predicted sturdy testing for Brown, who had six interceptions, 13 passes defended, 59 tackles, 3½ tackles for a loss, a sack, a pressured fumble and a fumble restoration in 2022.
“He has nice vary,” Jeremiah stated. “You’ll see him undercut routes. He's explosive. … He's excellent on particular groups.”
All three defensive backs expressed appreciation for being on the occasion collectively. They represented an Illinois protection that ranked among the many finest within the nation in factors (12.8) and yards (273.5) allowed per recreation underneath coach Bret Bielema, former defensive coordinator Ryan Walters — now the pinnacle coach at Purdue — and defensive backs coach Aaron Henry, who was promoted to defensive coordinator.
“It’s exhibiting we’ve received one of the best DBs within the nation,” Martin stated. “Simply to have DBs rolling in yearly like that is nice, simply to showcase our potential and what the College of Illinois brings.”
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