University of Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon drafted No. 5 overall in NFL Draft

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WLS) -- University of Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks with the No. 5 overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft Thursday evening.

"I'm energetic, physical. I'm a dog on the field," Witherspoon said. "I'm just very confident in what I do, passionate. I love to show my emotions out there on the field."

Witherspoon was regarded as one of the top two cornerbacks in the draft. He blossomed in his final season at Illinois, where he was the Big Ten defensive back of the year, having three interceptions and 17 passes defensed.

Former University of Illinois teammates reacted to Witherspoon being drafted in a video posted to the Illini Football Twitter account.

"Devon Witherspoon is a rare player," Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said.

Carroll compared Witherspoon to Pittsburgh Steelers legend Troy Polamalu.

Witherspoon became the seventh player in Illini Football history chosen among the top ten overall draft picks.

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Coverage of the rest of the 2023 NFL Draft on ABC7 Chicago will resume Friday.

Rounds two and three of the draft will air Friday night at 6 p.m. Rounds four through seven start Saturday morning at 11 a.m.

Tune into ABC7 Eyewitness News at 10 p.m. right after the draft Friday night. Friday's 6 p.m. newscast can be viewed wherever you stream and Saturday's early evening newscast will air at 6 p.m.

The Associated Press contributed to this report