Devon Witherspoon Scouting Report
School: Illinois Year: Senior Games Watched: Wyoming (2022), Indiana (2022), Michigan State (2022), Northwestern (2022) Best Game: Northwestern (2022) Worst Game: Indiana (2022)
Man Coverage: Very patient in his back pedal, careful not to open his hips too early. Gains the necessary burst to undercut a throw while in trail. Is able to get on top of the receiver and dictate the tempo he plays at. Powerful hands in press, packs a punch. Capable of traveling. Spends his time in the film room, you can see him jumping routes breaking points before they happen. Very physical in press, likes to exert his force and let the receiver know that he is there. Communicates with other defenders well, handles stack releases with ease.
Zone Coverage: Scheme diverse, can play in a man heavy scheme or a cover 3 scheme. Appears to have quite long arms. Looks very comfortable playing with his eyes back on the QB. Very aware of route concepts and works to take away the deeper threat, while not losing contain on the shorter route. Capable of disguising coverages.
Reaction/Recovery: Has incredible reaction ability, opens and closes his hips with ease. Almost looks simultaneous as he reacts to the receiver breaking. Hardly ever gets out of phase but his closing speed allows for a quick recovery.
Long speed: Shows some serious flashes of short area quickness.
Ball skills: High points the football while never losing site of the receiver. Boxes out the receiver at the catch point. Treats a jump ball like a basketball player going for a rebound.
Run Support: Shows some tenacity when going about deconstructing blocks. Shows incredible effort, even if the run is to the opposite side he will chase the ball carrier down.
COD Ability: Twitched up, makes him look very sudden when changing directions. Has fluid enough hips to where he can play nickel or outside with no problem. Little to no wasted movement when changing direction.
Awareness: You can tell he spends time in the film room. Very aware of what offenses are trying to do with certain route combinations and knows how to counteract them.
Tackling: Capable and willing tackler. Shows effort to meet the ball carrier at the cut off point.. Doesn’t over-pursue the ball carrier.
Physicality/Toughness: Plays with an alpha mentality in every aspect of his game. He is physical at the point of attack, he is physical while the ball is in the air. Does not shy away from contact whatsoever.
Man Coverage (15)
14.2
Run Support (5)
4.5
Zone Coverage (10)
9.3
COD Ability (10)
9.2
Reaction/Recovery (10)
9.3
Awareness (10)
9.1
Long speed (10)
9.2
Tackling (10)
8.5
Ball skills(10)
9.4
Physicality/Toughness (10)
9.1
Final Grade: 91.8, 1st round player