Illinois cornerback's devastating hits leave fans awestruck ahead of NFL Draft

If you follow University of Illinois football, the name Devon Witherspoon means everything.

But for those who don't, video highlights are surfacing that are bringing a ton of attention to the projected first-round pick for the 2023 NFL Draft.

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2023 NFL Draft prospect: Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon

The Fighting Illini cornerback may only check in at 6-foot, 180 pounds but you wouldn't know it by the way he plays the game.

Witherspoon is being vaunted for his ability to shutdown wide receivers and his game doesn't stop there. It's also the devastatingly brutal hits that he delivers in the run game. Did we mention he also has plenty of special teams experience?

Devon Witherspoon's Illinois football stats

Witherspon finished 2022 with 41 tackles, including 32 solos, and three interceptions en route to becoming the Illini's first defensive back to be named a consensus All-American. He also was the first Thorpe Award finalists for the school.

Click here to see his career statistics.

Devon Witherspoon scouting report

Pro Football Network's James Fragoza calls Witherspoon his No. 1 CB in the draft. Trevor Sikkema and Connor Rogers of Pro Football Focus talk about why they consider Witherspoon to be one of the favorite corners they've ever scouted.

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Devon Witherspoon highlights

Here's a look at some of Witherspoon's video highlights that have people buzzing:

Chris Sims is a digital producer at Midwest DOT. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: NFL Draft prospect Devon Witherspoon's football highlights wow fans