Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon was named the Reese's Senior Bowl Defensive Player of the Week, the bowl announced.

Witherspoon had seven tackles and three pass breakups against Virginia, as the Illini defense held UVA to only three points. Witherspoon locked down Virginia wide receivers for only 18 yards on 11 targets against.

Witherspoon was on this year's Reese's Senior Bowl preseason watch list after an All-Big Ten honorable mention season a year ago. He is listed as a junior on the Illini roster due to the COVID season, but is playing in his fourth season for the Orange and Blue and thus eligible for Senior Bowl awards.

Witherspoon has been Illinois' highest graded defensive starter this season, according to PFF (81.1 season grade). He has allowed 121 yards on 30 targets against and ranks sixth in the nation with 2.33 passes defended per game.

Illinois is off this Saturday before hosting Chattanooga on Thursday, September 22 at 7:30 p.m. CT.