CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Former Illini All-American Devon Witherspoon was selected to the Pro Bowl, the NFL announced Wednesday. Witherspoon is the first player since Dick Butkus to finish his Illini career then earn a spot in the Pro Bowl as a rookie in the next season.
Witherspoon is one of the top candidates for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. His 16 passes defensed rank first among rookies and fifth league-wide, while his 68 tackles rank fifth among rookies and his 3.0 sacks rank 11th among rookies.
Witherspoon joined J.C. Caroline (1956, Chicago Bears) and Dick Butkus (1965, Chicago Bears) as former Illini to make the Pro Bowl during their rookie season. Former Illini Bob Trumpy also made the Pro Bowl as a rookie (1968, Cincinnati Bengals) but he finished his college career at Utah after transferring from Illinois.
Witherspoon is one of the top candidates for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award. His 16 passes defensed rank first among rookies and fifth league-wide, while his 68 tackles rank fifth among rookies and his 3.0 sacks rank 11th among rookies.
Witherspoon joined J.C. Caroline (1956, Chicago Bears) and Dick Butkus (1965, Chicago Bears) as former Illini to make the Pro Bowl during their rookie season. Former Illini Bob Trumpy also made the Pro Bowl as a rookie (1968, Cincinnati Bengals) but he finished his college career at Utah after transferring from Illinois.
