CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Former Fighting Illini All-America defensive back Devon Witherspoon, the No. 5 overall pick in April's NFL draft, has been selected as one of 25 semifinalists for the 93rd AAU James E. Sullivan Award. The honor was announced by the Amateur Athletic Union on Wednesday.
The AAU James E. Sullivan Award has been presented annually since 1930 to the most outstanding athlete at the collegiate or Olympic level in the United States. In addition to athletic excellence, the award aims to recognize the qualities of leadership, citizenship, character, and sportsmanship on and off the field.
A one-week voting period to determine six finalists is now open to the public. Individuals may vote once per day through the deadline, 10:59 p.m. CT on July 19, online by clicking here.
The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 19, at the historic New York Athletic Club, the birthplace of the AAU.
Witherspoon is one of three college football players on this year's list, joining USC quarterback Caleb Williams and Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. He is also one of three Big Ten honorees, along with Iowa women's basketball's Caitlin Clark, and Purdue men's basketball's Zach Edey.
Past winners of the AAU James E. Sullivan Award include Michael Phelps (swimming), Michelle Kwan (figure skating), Carl Lewis (track & field), Shawn Johnson (gymnastics), Peyton Manning (football), and Breanna Stewart (basketball).
WITHERSPOON HIGHLIGHTS
- No. 5 overall pick in 2023 NFL Draft by Seattle Seahawks – the highest-drafted defensive back in school history and Illinois' highest draft pick since 1996
- Consensus All-American – the first Illini defensive back ever to earn that honor and just the 21st in school history
- Thorpe Award finalist – the first in Illinois history – as one of the top three cornerbacks in college football
- Big Ten's Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year
- First-Team All-Big Ten by both coaches and media
- Semifinalist for the Bednarik Award, as one of the top 20 defensive players in college football
- Started all 12 regular season games at cornerback, tallying 40 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, and 14 pass breakups, while not allowing a touchdown all season
- Allowed fewer than 35 receiving yards in 11 of 12 games this season while matching up with opponent's No. 1 receivers
- No. 1 coverage grade in the nation (92.5), according to Pro Football Focus (PFF)
- No. 2 graded cornerback in the nation, No. 1 in Power-5 (92.0), according to PFF
- Allowed only 16 catches on 54 targets, and just 3.3 yards against per attempt as the primary defender, according to ESPN
