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Rated as one of the top offensive linemen in the country coming out of Shreveport's Evangel Christian Academy, Tillery was switched to defense as a true freshman. He started 3 of 12 games that year (12 tackles, two for loss) but was suspended for the Fiesta Bowl for violating team rules. Tillery's sophomore year was productive (37 tackles, three for loss in 12 games, 11 starts) but again he had issues, shown by television cameras to be kicking and stepping on players in the team's loss to USC. Things smoothed out his junior year, as he started all 13 games and became one of the top defensive tackles in the country (56 tackles, nine for loss, 4.5 sacks). Tillery received more respect nationally in 2018, garnering second-team All-American status from the Associated Press as he wreaked havoc against his opponents (30 tackles, 10.5 for loss, eight sacks, three forced fumble, two blocked kicks in 13 starts).
Overview
Tillery is a projection-based prospect with first-class traits and dominant potential, but he's still searching for more consistency from game to game. While his frame is suited for a role as an end in a classic 3-4 scheme, he has plenty of tape showing he shouldn't be scheme dependent on the next level. Scouts would like to see more dominant tape considering his size and power, but if he takes coaching and learns to unleash his hands, he could become an unruly interior force and good three-down starter.
NFL Comparison: Stephon Tuitt
Rated as one of the top offensive linemen in the country coming out of Shreveport's Evangel Christian Academy, Tillery was switched to defense as a true freshman. He started 3 of 12 games that year (12 tackles, two for loss) but was suspended for the Fiesta Bowl for violating team rules. Tillery's sophomore year was productive (37 tackles, three for loss in 12 games, 11 starts) but again he had issues, shown by television cameras to be kicking and stepping on players in the team's loss to USC. Things smoothed out his junior year, as he started all 13 games and became one of the top defensive tackles in the country (56 tackles, nine for loss, 4.5 sacks). Tillery received more respect nationally in 2018, garnering second-team All-American status from the Associated Press as he wreaked havoc against his opponents (30 tackles, 10.5 for loss, eight sacks, three forced fumble, two blocked kicks in 13 starts).
Overview
Tillery is a projection-based prospect with first-class traits and dominant potential, but he's still searching for more consistency from game to game. While his frame is suited for a role as an end in a classic 3-4 scheme, he has plenty of tape showing he shouldn't be scheme dependent on the next level. Scouts would like to see more dominant tape considering his size and power, but if he takes coaching and learns to unleash his hands, he could become an unruly interior force and good three-down starter.
Strengths
- Tall with muscular, athletic build and excellent lean muscle mass
- Scary natural power for such a long frame and has potential to get bigger and stronger
- Well-timed punch will jolt blockers and rattle their pads
- Has size and play traits to become dominant two-gapper in odd or even fronts
- Uses upper-body power to yank and push blockers aside once he gets into their frame
- Keeps strong club move counter in his bag that can lift and displace opposing guards
- Downhill freight train effect as bull-rusher if he gets early momentum going
- Activates flailing arms to cloud passing windows once quarterback starts throwing motion
- Adequate lateral quickness to disrupt in the gaps for slanting fronts
- Quick to flatten to the quarterback once he breaches opponent's edge
- Shows glimpses of upper-body flexion and hip flip to work over the top of slow-footed interior blockers
Weaknesses
- Needs more consistent reaction time off the snap
- Loses a measure of power by allowing access into his frame
- Takes some bad losses at point of attack when pad level and technique go south
- Ends up on the ground more than teams might like
- Body control fluctuates according to footwork and base width
- Legs become heavy and lumbering the further away he gets from snap point
- Looks like he's playing in sand when forced to redirect suddenly against cutting ball carriers
- Raw with his hands and hasn't learned to properly weaponize them in his rush attack
- Would benefit from more well-rounded rush attack rather than relying on size and force
NFL Comparison: Stephon Tuitt
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