Basketball, history, and culture: The best of Devon Witherspoon's post-draft comments
Cornerback Devon Witherspoon wants to fit in seamlessly with the Seattle Seahawks culture.
When cornerback Devon Witherspoon got the call that he would be the No. 5 selection in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Seattle Seahawks, what came to his mind was the history.
Witherspoon has fond memories of watching the Legion of Boom. He remembers the intensity they played, and he hasn't forgotten how that group defined football. And now, out of Illinois, he wants to step into a Seahawks uniform and recreate much of the style of football that defined Seattle for nearly a decade.
"They told me about the culture they have there, the Legion of Boom, and the history they have there," he said following the draft. "I know what it takes to be great like that. There is so much going on right now, I can’t even really describe it, but I am glad that they chose me. I’m just glad that I am going to be a Seattle Seahawk."
Witherspoon was one of the prospects Seattle brought in on a top-30 visit earlier in the month. It was assumed that the Seahawks wouldn't opt to add a player in their secondary because of the pressing need at EDGE and on the interior of the offensive line. Also, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll had expressed confidence in his secondary, all of which were on cheap contracts that they outperformed during the 2022 NFL season.
But then Witherspoon and Carroll started shooting some hoops. They discussed Seahawks' history, the years of the Legion of Boom, and the type of player Witherspoon is. And it can only be understood that those conversations were fruitful because, after nearly trading the No. 5 pick, Seattle opted to bring in the undersized Witherspoon, who is a self-described ball hawk, unafraid of contact and aggression on the field.
“I shot a couple of hoops,” Witherspoon said of his visit with Carroll. " I didn’t get a chance to shoot against him [Carroll] like that, but I had made a couple.”
It is safe to say that with Witherspoon's play style, he assumes that he will be shooting hoops against Carroll for a few years to come.
"I am energetic, physical, I’m a dog on the field, and I’m just very confident in what I do," he said. "I’m passionate and I love to show my emotions out there on the field, so that describes me.”
Witherspoon joins a cornerback room of Tariq Woolen, Michael Jackson, Coby Bryant, Tre Brown, and Isaiah Dunn. Woolen (right side), Jackson (left), and Bryant (nickel) all started last season and return on relatively cheap deals.
As an early first-round selection, Witherspoon secured a four-year deal with a total value of $33.3 million and a signing bonus of $21.2 million. His production won't be cheap. And it is why Seattle clearly believes in what he brings to the table.
The good news is that Witherspoon also believes in Seattle. He likes the culture, history, and potential of playing alongside Woolen. Additionally, Witherspoon is not lacking confidence. He always wants to guard the best receiver. And though Seattle's cornerback room is already crowded, he stands ready to show the Seahawks didn't make a mistake reaching for him at pick five on what was a busy Thursday night.
“It was dope," he said of Seattle and the culture. "The view out there, the facility, the guys, and just everything about Washington, it was just really dope… I’m excited.”
