2019 WorldWide Rams Draft Profile: Jerry Tillery | Notre Dame | DL

WorldWide Rams

Ed "Pi Double i" Henderson

​Jerry Tillery
DL

HOMETOWN              |            CLASS
Shreveport, LA     |            Senior
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DRAFT YR:  2019     COMBINE INVITE: YES

Player Bio: Jerry Tillery prepped at Shreveport's Evangel Christian Academy, the same school that turned out the late Joel Mcknight (NYJ), Trent Taylor (SF) and brothers Josh and John David Booty (LSU/USC), rated as one of the nations top offensive linemen. After receiving a scholarship to Notre Dame,  Tillery converted as a true freshman as a defensive lineman. Tillery would become problematic with discipline issues which arose early in his collegiate career. In his freshman year, he would start three games that season recording  12 tackles (two for loss). The "Fighting Irish" of Notre Dame received a bid to play in the Fiesta Bowl against the Ohio St Buckeyes where they lost 44-28.  However, Tillery did not play after receiving a suspension by the school for violating unspecified team rules. He would go on a rampage on Twitter as it appeared he suggested that Notre Dame should fire head coach Brian Kelly and hire former LSU head coach Les Miles. The following season, Tillery's sophomore year, again with disciplinary issues, broadcast cameras on a nationally televised game against the USC Trojans produced footage of him not only stepping on the Trojan players but kicking them too in a Notre Dame loss. However, he finished the season productively with 37 tackles (three tackles for loss). Things would turn around for the best his junior season as a starter ended the year as on the nations elite defensive tackles. Credit to his offseason dedication of working out, he finished the year with 56 tackles (nine for loss) and added 4 1/2 sacks. Tillery's senior year, he gained national respect by the voters which garnered him second-team All-American recognition from the Associated Press while obliterating opposing offenses finishing the year with 30 tackles (10.5 for loss), three forced fumbles, eight sacks, and blocked two kicks. 
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Jerry Tillery
DL 
SCHOOL:  NOTRE DAME     |      CONFERENCE:  INDEPENDENT      
HEIGHT/WEIGHT:  6-6  / 295         ARMS: 34 1/4"         HANDS: 10 5/8”        40: 4.99          

COMBINE RESULTS
BENCH |   40 YD DASH  |   VERTICAL JUMP  |  BROAD JUMP |   3 CONE DRILL   |    20 YD SHUTTLE  |   60 YD SHUTTLE
​     23     |        4.93           |              32"              |           115"         |             7.45           |             4.33              |             N/A

PRO-DAY RESULTS
BENCH:  N/A |  40:  N/A  |  VERTICAL JUMP: N/A  |  BROAD JUMP: N/A  (Notre Dame Pro Day March 20th)

Game Film
#99 Jerry Tillery vs. Stanford (2018) 

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Strengths: Very agile for a player of his statue, the ideal height that can play as an interior or defensive end position. Great explosiveness off the ball, establishing a firm position against the run or a great pass rush. The ability to shed blocks playing at the defensive tackle position that disrupt offensive continuity. Excellent pass rushing ability with an arsenal of moves allowing to avoid blockers. Has excellent gap integrity to establish and win the one-on-one battles establishing his ground to make tackles.

Weaknesses: Can show some inconsistency against a player that is unfazed with his defensive moves. Tends to lose the battle against a bigger opponent. Can benefit by getting stronger especially with his lower body because of the bigger opponent hits a wall and he is stood straight up.  Tight hips are not very fluid in change of direction in pursuing a runner but does get the job done. 

Draft Grade: 6.03

Draft Projection: 1st Round  

Does He Fit? Yes! The Rams elected not to resign veteran Ndamukong Suh and let him test free agency. The team now as third-year defensive tackle Tanzel Smart and second year Sebastian Joseph-Day at the defensive tackles position. However, Tillery is an impressive interior pass rusher who will fit well attacking the defense in the B-gaps. ​Befitted to play in a 4-3 three-technique, but as the Rams defense runs a 3-4 alignment, Tillery is better suited at the five-technique where he can attack. Tillery has playmaking ability against both the run and pass. On natural passing downs, teamed up with Aaron Donald can produce havoc for opposing offense.

​NFL Comparison:  Stephon Tuitt

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