NFL draft: Seahawks’ Pete Carroll reveals Troy Polamalu traits for Devon Witherspoon
The Seattle Seahawks surprised a ton of people when they selected Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon with their first-round pick. Witherspoon was arguably the best cornerback in the entire 2023 NFL draft, although it sure felt like somebody such as Jalen Carter — a defensive lineman, meeting the team’s foremost need — would be the pick for the Seahawks.
However, head coach Pete Carroll revealed the traits that he likes so much in Witherspoon. He made a Troy Polamalu comparison, per Gregg Bell of The (Tacoma) News Tribune.
“His make-up,” Carroll said. “It’s how he approaches the game, the way he sees his opportunities and stuff. I’ve always held Troy in high regard in that. This is the closest I’ve come to that, someone talking and acting and performing like that … We’ve not seen a guy like this.”
Of course, Polamalu was a special player during his college days at USC. He went on to have a Hall of Fame career in the NFL, so Carroll comparing Witherspoon to him is a massive display of respect.
It was surely a pick that had some scratching their heads, but Devon Witherspoon can surely play. If he is anything even close to Troy Polamalu, then the Seahawks got a terrific player … and probably improved their status as an NFC contender.
