Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon stood on a sideline Friday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis doing an interview with NFL Network’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 alleged to be understanding with them, however a hamstring challenge prevented him from doing on-field testing. He advised Dales the damage was “nothing serious” and he anticipated to work out for groups both at Illinois’ professional day on March 10 or throughout non-public exercises.
But he clearly was disillusioned.
“It messes with me,” he stated. “I want to be out there with the guys, the top prospects around the world. But I’ve still got to cheer my guys on, make sure they’re doing good in the drills.”
Witherspoon was considered 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 by which he had three interceptions, 17 passes defended, 41 tackles and 2½ tackles for a loss, Witherspoon entered the week within the prime 10 of mock drafts by NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah and ESPN’s Mel Kiper. The final Illini gamers drafted within the first spherical had been defensive finish Whitney Mercilus and vast receiver A.J. Jenkins in 2012.
In a convention name earlier than the mix, Jeremiah stated he’s “a big fan of the guys they’ve got in the secondary there at Illinois” and devoted lots 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 things before they develop,” Jeremiah stated. “Sometimes you may see guys which have the athletic means, and generally you see guys that basically have studied movie they usually know learn how to play. And it’s not frequent while you see guys which have all that wrapped up collectively. He does. He is an entire bundle that approach.
“I mean, I wish he was 200 pounds. He is going to be a little bit lighter, but he just pulls the trigger. He does not play with any hesitation. He plays with ultimate aggressiveness and confidence and urgency.”
Jeremiah went on to reward Witherspoon’s edge and vitality. Brown and Martin echoed these feedback when requested throughout their mix media classes about their teammate.
“He’s an ultimate competitor,” Brown stated. “His willingness to play against anybody and dominate is why he’s special.”
Jeremiah additionally had flattering feedback for Brown and Martin, whom Kiper ranked because the third- and seventh-best safeties within the draft coming 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 “the most versatile DB in this draft.” Jeremiah stated Martin may very well be a Day 1 beginning nickel within the NFL.
“He is quick and fluid,” Jeremiah stated. “He can change directions. He is a physical hitter. He shows you his toughness. I’m curious to see what the pure speed is. That’s the only box left for him to check, but I thought he was somebody that could come in and be a really good nickel right away.”
When Martin spoke to the media Thursday, he famous he had heard questions on his pace.
“I’m very confident in what I’ll run,” he stated. “I just want to showcase my speed, my ability, my agility.”
Martin made Kiper’s record 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 soar (11 ft, 1 inch) and vertical soar (44 inches).
Meanwhile, Brown, who attended the mix with twin brother and Illini operating again Chase Brown, made NFL Network’s all-combine group with a 4.47-second 40, a 10-10 broad soar 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 great range,” Jeremiah stated. “You’ll see him undercut routes. He is explosive. … He is outstanding on special teams.”
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 sport below coach Bret Bielema, former defensive coordinator Ryan Walters — now the top coach at Purdue — and defensive backs coach Aaron Henry, who was promoted to defensive coordinator.
“It’s showing we’ve got the best DBs in the country,” Martin stated. “Just to have DBs rolling in every year like this is great, just to showcase our ability and what the University of Illinois brings.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com