KANSAS CITY — Four former Illini were drafted Thursday-Saturday during the 2023 NFL Draft. Devon Witherspoon (Seattle) was the first Illini off the board at No. 5 overall, followed by second-rounder Jartavius Martin (Washington), third-rounder Sydney Brown (Philadelphia), and fifth-rounder Chase Brown (Cincinnati).
2023 NFL Draft Picks - Illinois
Devon Witherspoon, DB, Seattle (1st, 5)
Jartavius Martin, DB, Washington (2nd, 47)
Sydney Brown, DB, Philadelphia (3rd, 66)
Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati (5th, 163)
Draft Notes
• Illinois was the only team in the nation to have three defensive backs off the board in the first three rounds, as Witherspoon, Martin, and Sydney Brown all went in the first two days.
• Illinois had three defensive backs drafted for the first time in program history dating back to the NFL-AFL merger.
• Illinois had two defensive backs drafted in the top 50 for the first time since the NFL-AFL merger.
• Illinois had two top-50 picks for the first time since A.J. Jenkins and Whitney Mercilus went in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
• Illinois' four picks in the first five rounds tied the program record set in 2003 and 2012.
• Devon Witherspoon was the highest drafted defensive back in Illinois history.
• Devon Witherspoon was the sixth Fighting Illini in history to be drafted in the top-5, joining Jeff George (No. 1, 1990), Kevin Hardy (No. 2, 1996), Simeon Rice (No. 3, 1996), Dick Butkus (No. 3, 1965), and Joe Rutgens (No. 3, 1961).
• Chase and Sydney became the ninth twins to be selected in the same NFL Draft and only the third set to be picked within the first five rounds. The Browns joined Ronde and Tiki Barber (1997) and Mike and Mark Bell (1979) as the only twins to be selected within the first five rounds of the same NFL Draft.
• Illinois head coach Bret Bielema has 51 NFL Draft picks during his head coaching career, which is among the top 10 in the nation for active head coaches.
• Witherspoon was Bielema's seventh first-rounder and the second-highest pick of Bielema's head coaching career.
• Chase Brown is the 11th running back to have played under head coach Bret Bielema to make it to the NFL.
Post-Draft Signings - Illinois
DT Calvin Avery, Minnesota (UDFA)
LB Isaac Darkangelo, Detroit (UDFA)
QB Tommy DeVito, New York Giants (UDFA)
OL Alex Palczewski, Denver (UDFA)
OL Alex Pihlstrom, New Orleans (UDFA)
DB Kendall Smith, Washington (UDFA)
TE Luke Ford, New York Jets (Mini Camp Invite)
DT Jamal Woods, Indianpolis (Mini Camp Invite)
