Former Aliquippa, Pitt corner M.J. Devonshire wants to follow in his mentor’s footsteps in NFL
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As far as mentors go, M.J. Devonshire may be without peers when it comes to the prospects attending the NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
When the former Pitt cornerback was contemplating whether to return to school for a sixth season or declare for the NFL Draft, all he did was dial up a pair of his high school’s alums — and Pro Football Hall of Fame corners.
Football has deep roots in Aliquippa, so Devonshire didn’t hesitate to seek counsel from Ty Law and Darrelle Revis.
“I asked Ty and Darrelle, what influenced you in your decision?” Devonshire said earlier this week. “They said if you feel like you’re ready, you’ll know. They didn’t really tell me what they felt. They were ready. They came in being first-round picks, so they knew it was time.
“I feel like this is my time.”
Devonshire doesn’t have such a distinguished pedigree — he is Pro Football Focus’ No. 28-ranked corner — so his decision wasn’t as clear cut.
Although he spent two seasons at Kentucky before transferring to Pitt for the next three, Devonshire could have returned for a sixth season because of the extra year granted to players impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
A two-year starter at Pitt and 2023 second-team all-ACC selection, Devonshire discussed his decision with Panthers coach Pat Narduzzi.
“He told me to take my time and trust whatever my gut tells me to do,” Devonshire said. “This has been my dream for a long time. I didn’t know how much more patient I could be.”
Devonshire, 23, admitted that he briefly considered declaring for the 2023 draft but felt he had more left to accomplish at Pitt. His decision to remain in school paid dividends when he led the Panthers with four interceptions, 10 pass breakups and 32 tackles.
Thanks to his 86-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 38-21 win against No. 14 Louisville, Devonshire left Pitt owning a share of the school record for pick-6s with three.
During his time at Pitt, Devonshire also had some conversations with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Devonshire and Tomlin’s son, Dino, previously played on the same 7-on-7 team in the summer. Devonshire said they had a memorable talk during a practice last season.
“He asked me if I was ready to come play in the big leagues,” Devonshire said. “I told him, ‘Obviously, you’ve seen enough, you know that answer for yourself.’ He just had to confirm it.”
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Devonshire, who was the Trib’s male high school athlete of the year in 2019, believes he can help a team seeking a dependable press corner. His size, however, could indicate a move inside to the slot.
“Teams have talked to me about that,” he said. “I tell them anywhere there is a receiver, tight end, guys running routes, a running back, you can put me where you need to. I’ll cover anyone.”
Devonshire is one of two former WPIAL players attending the NFL Combine. The other is former Penn State corner Daequan Hardy of Penn Hills. Hardy also played on the same 7-on-7 team as Devonshire, as did Steelers second-year corner Joey Porter Jr.
“Definitely a good friend of mine,” Hardy said. “It’s good to have a familiar face around and see someone from the same area prosper.”
Devonshire was destined to play corner long before he had an accomplished career at Aliquippa, where his eight returns for a touchdown as a senior was one short of tying the national record. (Another five TD returns were nullified by penalties).
He longed to follow in the footsteps of Law, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019, and Revis, a member of the Class of 2023. Devonshire said he began playing football at age 3 as a wide receiver but quickly turned his attention to the defensive side of the ball — just like his two mentors.
“I wanted to be the villain,” he said. “I wanted to take guys out of the game. I would see how upset guys like (Chad) Ochocinco would get when Darrelle would wrap them up. I wanted to be the guy that gives (receivers) that feeling.”