CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Former Illini All-American Devon Witherspoon earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection, the NFL announced Thursday. Witherspoon is the first player since Dick Butkus to finish his Illini career then earn a spot in the Pro Bowl during his first two seasons in the NFL.

Witherspoon has 90 tackles, six tackles for loss, one sack, and seven passes defended on the season.

"He plays with his hair on fire," said Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald during the season. "You talk about shocking effort, and if you want to shock people, watch 21 play. We talk about ball finding energy, and it kind of all comes together with Spoon. People want production and they want to be certain type of players, but if you don't do it every day, I don't see how you could have a reasonable expectation to be a great player. This guy brings it every single day, and does it every rep, and that's why he's a great player."

Witherspoon joined Dick Butkus (1965-66, Chicago Bears) as former Illini to make the Pro Bowl during their first two seasons immediately following their careers in Champaign. Former Illini Bob Trumpy also made the Pro Bowl in his first two seasons (1968-69, Cincinnati Bengals) but he finished his college career at Utah after transferring from Illinois.

Witherspoon is the first Illini to make back-to-back Pro Bowls since CB Vontae Davis for the Indianapolis Colts from 2014-15.

Illinois has three Pro Bowl alternates that could get in the event: Chase McLaughlin, K, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1st alternate); Kerby Joseph, S, Detroit Lions (2nd alternate); and Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals (3rd alternate). Joseph is the NFL's leader in interceptions with nine, two more than any other player.

The Seahawks' official release is here.


ILLINOIS PRO BOWL ALTERNATES

Chase McLaughlin, K, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1st alternate)

Kerby Joseph, S, Detroit Lions (2nd alternate)

Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals (3rd alternate)