JERRY TILLERY
Shreveport, LA
Measurables: 6'5", 315 lbs.
Accolades: US Army All-American, American Family Insurance All-USA, Second-team MaxPreps All-American, No. 3 player on New Orleans Times-Picayune Nifty 50, consensus 4-star recruit
Impressive Offers: LSU, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Dartmouth
Projected Position: Defensive line / offensive tackle
Quick Take: Tillery committed a long ago to Notre Dame, yet the fact he landed on campus is still surprising to those that followed his recruitment closely. Coveted by Les Miles and the hometown Tigers, Tillery made it clear that he followed the beat of his own drummer and his recruitment reflected that.
A legit 6-5, 315, Tillery is a physical specimen, with time in the weight room and a commitment to only football likely to make him even more stout. Originally recruited as a blind side left tackle, Tillery will instead start his career along the defensive line, a place where he’ll be able to find the field much quicker.
His commitment to Notre Dame way back in June of 2013 likely kept him out of the mix for a five-star ranking and dozens of scholarship offers. But make no mistake, Tillery is an elite prospect.
What he means to the Irish: Regardless of where he ends up, it’s hard to imagine a scenario where Tillery doesn’t make a significant impact. A true student-athlete who used an official visit to take a look at Dartmouth, Tillery will likely dive into the student experience at Notre Dame this spring while also getting a jump start on his football career.
A key recruiting victory for one of Louisiana’s top prospects is a heckuva feather in the cap of Brian Kelly. If Tillery ends up becoming a front line player for the Irish, that can only help in the future.
Obligatory YouTube clip: Here’s a mixed highlight reel of Tillery on both sides of the football:
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