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Ex-Illini CB Devon Witherspoon Makes Absurd Interception In Seattle Seahawks Practice

Devon Witherspoon got the better of a Seattle Seahawks household name.
Zain Bando|
Oct 22, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) after the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) after the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports | Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Not every day a defensive back gets the better of a wideout in practice.

At least not when it comes to ex-Illini standout De’Von Witherspoon, who is entering his second season with the Seattle Seahawks.

Ahead of Seattle’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Witherspoon made an above-average effort to prevent star wideout D.K. Metcalf from scoring a routine touchdown. On a deep ball, Witherspoon made an acrobatic move to snag the ball from Metcalf. A catch would have been on Metcalf's highlight reel.

Nevertheless, while minor, it’s a play that shows what Witherspoon can do at a high level.

Witherspoon was the highest Illini player picked in the 2023 NFL Draft in nearly two decades, a credit to coach Bret Bielema’s development in creating superstars. It's similar to Russell Wilson and J.J. Watt, both of whom played during Bielema’s tenure at Wisconsin over a decade ago.

Witherspoon helped lead Illinois to a bowl berth in his final season, as the team finished 8-5 behind one of the nation's most prolific defenses. A 41-3 win against Northwestern in Week 12 saw Witherspoon fly around the eventual 1-11 Wildcats, leaving no doubt who the best defensive player was on that fateful November day in Evanston. It was a capstone to a college career and meteoric rise that still carries forward today.

It’s safe to assume that Witherspoon will remain a dynamic playmaker for the Seahawks, which is still adjusting to life after Pete Carroll’s departure at the end of last season.

Zain Bando is a contributor to Illinois Fighting Illini On SI. He can be reached at zainbando99@gmail.com or follow him on X @zainbando99

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Zain Brando
ZAIN BANDO

Bando is a sports journalist based in the Chicago suburbs. He is a proud Fighting Illini (undergrad alumnus) and completed his Master of Science in Journalism at Northwestern's Medill School, focusing on Sports Media. He’s been covering combat sports since June 2019 and collegiate sports since May 2020, featured in The Sporting News, MMA Knockout On SI, Kansas State On SI, BJPenn.com, Field Level Media, SB Nation's Inside NU, MSN, Yardbarker, Deadspin, Reuters, Mike Farrell Sports, NewsNet Media, FanSided, Men's Journal. Hosts a podcast called Bando’s Breakdowns, which premieres weekly at 3 p.m. ET/noon PT Wednesdays on the Empty The Bench Podcast Network