Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon Drawing Comparisons to Earl Thomas

Could rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon become the latest Seattle Seahawks star in the secondary?

Before even playing his first NFL game, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon has high expectations on his shoulders.

The No. 5 overall pick was a college star at Illinois, and many saw him as the best corner in the 2023 NFL draft. Even still, Witherspoon going that high to Seattle came as somewhat of a surprise. As he joins a Seahawks secondary loaded with young talent, Witherspoon is looking to prove the team's faith in him right.

Only adding to the pressure, Witherspoon has drawn comparisons to some pretty notable players. One of said comparison's came from former NFL quarterback Brock Huard, a Seattle native who played for the Seahawks from 1999-2001. On his Brock and Salk podcast with Seattle Sports, Huard said Witherspoon reminded him of a Seahawks great from the Legion of Boom era and Super Bowl champion safety, Earl Thomas.

“He’s a real violent dude,” Huard said of Witherspoon. “And then the question is, ‘Yeah, well, he’s 5 foot 11, 183 (pounds). Can he sustain?’ And what was said about Earl Thomas when he came out? ‘Violent dude. I mean, does not stop, runs through people.’ And then what was the next follow up? 

Thomas needs no introduction whatsoever for Seattle fans. In nine seasons with the Seahawks, Thomas was a six-time Pro Bowler and a three-time first-team All-Pro. He was a staple of the Legion of Boom alongside fellow safety Kam Chancellor and cornerback Richard Sherman. While his exit from Seattle was ugly, Thomas' place in Seahawks history is irrefutable.

“So that is the name, every time I hear Devon Witherspoon, that just continually comes to mind about size and just the ferocity with which they play and whether or not it’s sustainable. (The Seahawks) made it work with Earl. Let’s hope they can make it with work with Devon.”

For Witherspoon, drawing comparisons to a franchise great so soon puts a lot of pressure on him. However, it's also an indication of just how talented he is.

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You can find Jonathan Alfano on Twitter @JonAlfano_News

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