CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (Chambana Today) — Former Illinois football standouts Devon Witherspoon, Tommy DeVito, and Vederian Lowe are headed to Super Bowl LX after wins in Sunday’s NFC and AFC Championship games. Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks will face off against DeVito and Lowe of the New England Patriots on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Witherspoon, a 2023 first-round pick and the highest-drafted defensive back in Illinois history, made two key fourth-quarter pass breakups in Seattle’s NFC title game. A 21st Consensus All-American in Illinois history and the first Illini Thorpe Award finalist, Witherspoon has earned Pro Bowl honors in each of his first three NFL seasons, joining Dick Butkus as the only Illini with that distinction. During his college career, he allowed just 3.3 yards per attempt, and no touchdown passes in coverage during the 2022 season.
DeVito, who transferred from Syracuse and led Illinois to an 8-win 2022 campaign, ranks fourth nationally in completion percentage (69.6%) during his lone season in Champaign. He threw for 2,650 yards and totaled 21 touchdowns (15 passing, six rushing), guiding the Fighting Illini to a ReliaQuest Bowl appearance.
Lowe, a five-year Illinois veteran from 2017-2021, tied the program record with 52 career starts, including 46 consecutive starts to end his career. An All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in his final two seasons, Lowe was drafted in the sixth round by the Minnesota Vikings in 2022 and has played in 50 NFL games with Minnesota and New England.
Super Bowl LX kicks off at 5:40 p.m. CT on Sunday, Feb. 8.