Former University of Illinois All-American Devon Witherspoon has been named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl, as announced by the NFL on Tuesday. Witherspoon becomes only the second player in Illinois football history, after Dick Butkus, to earn Pro Bowl selections in each of his first three NFL seasons.
Witherspoon is now one of seven former Illinois players to reach at least three Pro Bowls during their professional careers. He is also the first from the university to do so since Simeon Rice, who was selected in 1999, 2002, and 2003 while playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals.
In addition, Witherspoon joins a select group within the Seattle Seahawks organization. He is just the fourth player in franchise history to be named a Pro Bowler in each of his first three seasons, alongside Russell Wilson (2012-2015), Lofa Tatupu (2005-2007), and Fredd Young (1984-1987).
This season, Witherspoon has recorded 64 tackles, six passes defensed, one interception, one fumble recovery, half a sack, two tackles for loss and four quarterback hits. Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald commented on Witherspoon’s influence: “He’s part of the engine that makes the whole thing go. He’s probably the sparkplug behind the whole thing.”
The University of Illinois Fighting Illini football team competes in the Big Ten Conference and hosts its home games at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. The program focuses on developing student-athletes both academically and athletically as part of its NCAA Division I FBS status.
Throughout its history, Illinois has produced several NFL players who have earned multiple Pro Bowl honors. Dick Butkus leads with eight selections (1965-1972), followed by Abe Woodson with five (1959-1963). Others include Bill Brown, Ernie McMillen and Bobby Mitchell with four each.
A full list of former Illini Pro Bowl selections includes notable names such as Les Bingaman (1951, 1953), Buddy Young (1954), J.C. Caroline (1956), Tommy O’Connell (1957), Ray Nitschke (1964), Jerry Sturm (1964-1966), Kevin Hardy (1999), Brad Hopkins (2000, 2003), Ken Dilger (2001), Neil Rackers (2005) and Vontae Davis (2014-2015). More recently, Justin Hardee was selected in 2022 before Witherspoon’s current run beginning in 2023.
Year listed refers to regular season year.
