Three former Illinois standouts are headed to the biggest stage in football: Super Bowl LX. Defensive back Devon Witherspoon (Seattle Seahawks), quarterback Tommy DeVito (New England Patriots), and offensive lineman Vederian Lowe (Patriots) will all suit up on February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, when the Seahawks and Patriots kick off at 5:30 p.m. CT.
Let’s break down how each of these former Illini has played a role in getting their team to the Super Bowl-and what their journeys say about the growing pipeline from Champaign to the NFL.
Devon Witherspoon: A Star in the Making, Already Shining Bright
Devon Witherspoon has been nothing short of a game-changer for Seattle. In the NFC Championship, he delivered in the clutch with two massive pass breakups in the end zone during a fourth-quarter goal-line stand, then sealed the win with a game-ending tackle on Rams receiver Puka Nacua. That’s the kind of moment that defines a career-and punches a ticket to the Super Bowl.
Taken fifth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, Witherspoon has lived up to the hype and then some. He’s already a three-time Pro Bowler in just three seasons and earned Second Team All-Pro honors this year.
His 2025 season stat line-48 tackles, seven passes defended, one interception-only tells part of the story. He’s been a cornerstone of the league’s top scoring defense, a unit that’s made life miserable for opposing offenses all season.
What makes Witherspoon’s rise even more impressive is where it started. He was an unranked recruit out of Pensacola, Florida, before becoming a consensus All-American and Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year at Illinois in 2022. Now, he’s anchoring one of the NFL’s most dominant defenses and heading to his first Super Bowl.
Vederian Lowe: The Steady Hand Up Front
While Witherspoon has made his name with highlight-reel plays, Vederian Lowe has earned his spot through consistency and grit in the trenches. Now in his fourth NFL season, Lowe was drafted by the Vikings in 2022 and traded to New England in 2023. Since then, he’s carved out a valuable role along the Patriots’ offensive line.
This season, Lowe served as the backup to No. 4 overall pick Will Campbell but was called into action down the stretch, starting four games after Campbell went down with an injury. He logged 317 regular-season snaps and held his own, earning a 61.4 grade from Pro Football Focus. That may not jump off the page, but for a mid-round pick who’s asked to step in and protect a playoff-caliber offense, it’s a solid contribution.
Lowe’s journey is a reminder that not every Super Bowl player is a household name-but every one of them plays a role. His ability to step in when needed helped keep the Patriots’ offensive engine running, and now he’s one win away from a ring.
Tommy DeVito: From Jersey Cult Hero to Super Bowl QB Room
Tommy DeVito might not be taking snaps in the Super Bowl, but his story is one fans won’t forget anytime soon. After transferring to Illinois from Syracuse, DeVito earned All-Big Ten honorable mention honors in his lone season with the Illini. That year helped springboard him into the NFL, where he quickly became a fan favorite.
DeVito spent his first two seasons with the New York Giants, where he turned heads-and sparked memes-by leading the team to a few unexpected wins during the 2023 season. That run earned him a bit of folk-hero status in his native New Jersey.
Now, he’s the third-string quarterback in New England, backing up MVP candidate Drake Maye and veteran Joshua Dobbs. DeVito has seen action in 12 NFL games so far, completing 65.3% of his passes (145-for-222) for 1,358 yards, eight touchdowns, and just three interceptions. His QB rating of 88.4 shows he’s more than just a feel-good story-he’s a capable backup who’s proven he can handle the moment.
Why This Matters: Illinois Is Building a Winning NFL Pipeline
Regardless of which team wins Super Bowl LX, one thing is certain: an Illinois alum will be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. That’ll mark the fourth straight season an Illini has claimed a Super Bowl ring-following Nick Allegretti’s back-to-back titles with the Chiefs in 2023 and 2024, and Sydney Brown’s championship with the Eagles in 2025.
That kind of consistency isn’t just a fun trivia note-it’s a sign of something bigger. Illinois is not only sending more players to the NFL, but those players are landing on teams that win. And in a league where every edge matters, that speaks volumes about the talent being developed in Champaign.
From Witherspoon’s elite-level defense to Lowe’s reliability up front and DeVito’s improbable rise, these three players are part of a growing legacy. Illinois isn’t just producing pros-it’s producing winners. And come February 8, one of them will add “Super Bowl champion” to their résumé.