When Super Bowl LX kicks off, the Illinois Fighting Illini will be well represented under the brightest lights in football. Three former Illini-Devon Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks, and Tommy DeVito and Vederian Lowe of the New England Patriots-are set to take the field in Las Vegas, continuing a proud tradition of Illinois talent making it to the NFL’s biggest stage.
Devon Witherspoon: A Star on the Rise
Let’s start with Devon Witherspoon, who’s been nothing short of electric since arriving in Seattle. The former No. 5 overall pick made his presence felt in the NFC Championship Game, coming up with two crucial fourth-quarter pass breakups that helped seal the Seahawks’ trip to the Super Bowl.
Witherspoon’s rise has been fast but far from surprising. At Illinois, he was a lockdown corner in every sense-allowing just 3.3 yards per attempt in 2022 and not surrendering a single touchdown in coverage all season. That kind of dominance earned him consensus All-American honors and made him the program’s first-ever Thorpe Award finalist.
And he’s carried that elite play into the pros. In December, Witherspoon joined Dick Butkus as the only Illini to earn Pro Bowl nods in each of their first three NFL seasons. That’s elite company-and a sign that this Super Bowl appearance might be the first of many for the Seahawks’ young star.
Tommy DeVito: From Champaign to the Championship
On the other sideline, quarterback Tommy DeVito will suit up for the Patriots. DeVito’s journey has been all about maximizing opportunity. After transferring from Syracuse, he took the reins at Illinois in 2022 and immediately made his mark-leading the Illini to an eight-win season and a ReliaQuest Bowl appearance.
His efficiency that year was off the charts. DeVito completed nearly 70% of his passes, setting a school record and ranking fourth nationally.
He finished with 2,650 total yards and 21 touchdowns (15 through the air, six on the ground), showing off both his arm and mobility. That kind of command and poise helped revive the Illinois offense and turned him into a legitimate NFL prospect.
Now, just a few years later, DeVito finds himself on football’s biggest stage, a testament to his steady development and resilience.
Vederian Lowe: The Steady Anchor
Then there’s Vederian Lowe, a name Illini fans know well. The big man on the offensive line was a fixture in Champaign from 2017 to 2021, tying the program record with 52 career starts-including 46 straight to close out his college career. He earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors in each of his final two seasons, anchoring the line with consistency and toughness.
Lowe was drafted in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings and has since carved out a solid pro career, appearing in 50 games with the Vikings and Patriots. Now in New England, he’s become a key rotational piece on the offensive front, helping protect the quarterback and open up lanes in the run game.
A Legacy of Illini in the Super Bowl
With Witherspoon, DeVito, and Lowe all suiting up in Super Bowl LX, Illinois continues a rich tradition of sending talent to the NFL’s biggest stage. From legends like Ray Nitschke and Preston Pearson, to more recent champions like Nick Allegretti and Sydney Brown, the Illini have had a consistent presence in the Super Bowl for decades.
This year marks the 60th edition of the big game, and Illinois now adds three more names to a growing list of alumni who’ve played for a ring. It’s a proud moment for the program-and a reminder that talent developed in Champaign can shine just as brightly under the Super Bowl spotlight as anywhere else.
So when the confetti falls in Vegas, no matter which team comes out on top, Illinois football will have reason to celebrate.