Devon Witherspoon is projected to be one of the top cornerback prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Illinois corner, listed at 5-foot-11, 181 pounds is thought to be likely drafted before the Washington Commanders pick at 16, but nothing in the draft is guaranteed and we’ve seen projected top picks fall for numerous reasons (Jonathan Allen falling from the top five to Washington at 17 back in 2017 comes to mind).
It’s easy to see why Witherspoon is thought so highly of almost immediately when you start watching him. He’s an extremely competitive and physical corner that is always involved in the game. Some of the best examples of this actually come in the run game.
On this play, Michigan State looks to run the ball to their right edge. Witherspoon aligns as the outside corner on that side of the field with about eight yards of depth. Typically, an outside cornerback in this situations would either work down to the edge and keep contain, or just see a run play as an opportunity to take a play off. Witherspoon doesn’t think that way, he wants to be involved and make plays.
By playing off-coverage, Witherspoon can peek into the backfield at the snap and gets an early read on the ball being handed off. From there, he instantly works down to the line of scrimmage to get involved. Witherspoon charges down to the line of scrimmage, but as he does so, he makes adjustments to his path as he reads the path of the running back. The back makes a cut inside so Witherspoon adjusts inside to fill the lane and make the tackle.
It’s a fantastic play by Witherspoon and one that you don’t see from many cornerbacks. That was more of a safety play than a corner play, which is a big plus for Witherspoon. He is almost like having another safety on the field when it comes to the run game because he’s consistently involved and filling lanes or making tackles, making plays cornerbacks just don't make very often.
This is another run play to the edge, but this time to the left of the formation. Witherspoon has swapped sides so the ball is still being run in his direction. This time, he’s a little bit more focused on his receiver, anticipating him running a route and having to defend against it, but once he recognizes it's a run play, he looks to get involved immediately. Fortunately he does too, as the back works through the line of scrimmage untouched and probably has a touchdown waiting for him if Witherspoon doesn’t get across to make the tackle.
These types of plays might not appear all that significant for a cornerback, whose primary job is to cover receivers and defend passes rather than runs, but coaches and teammates will love him for it. It’s clear to see the impact this had on the Illinois defense, as every player followed his lead in rallying to the ball and playing extremely physical football. If a corner is charging in from 10 yards off the line of scrimmage and from outside the numbers to make a tackle, what excuse does anyone else on the team have?
In terms of his coverage ability, Witherspoon’s physicality translates to the pass game, though sometimes it can be a little excessive.
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