Insane stat shows how Tennessee Vols player is even better than fans and media realize
Most folks agree that Tennessee Vols wide receiver Cedric Tillman is one of the best players in college football. Tillman entered the season as the SEC's leading returning wide receiver after catching 64 passes for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. The Las Vegas native is off to a quick start in 2022 with […]
Most folks agree that Tennessee Vols wide receiver Cedric Tillman is one of the best players in college football.
Tillman entered the season as the SEC's leading returning wide receiver after catching 64 passes for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.
The Las Vegas native is off to a quick start in 2022 with 15 receptions for 230 yards and one touchdown in Tennessee's first two games of the season.
Tillman has been praised by numerous analysts for his physicality and ability to win one-on-one situations. He's been pegged by draft analysts as a potential top 50 selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.
But despite the plentiful praise, is it possible we're not giving Tillman enough credit?
After all, he's quickly proved to be one of the best "big-game" players in the nation.
Check out this insane stat, via Tennessee's associate athletics director Bill Martin.
That stat doesn't even include Tillman's impressive game against Purdue in the Music City Bowl (seven receptions for 150 yards and three touchdowns).
Tillman is at his best when the lights are the brightest.
And that's not something that's lost on Vols head coach Josh Heupel.
“We’re going to keep finding out more and more about him," said Heupel of Tillman after Tennessee's win against Pittsburgh. "We believe in him. He’s a big-time player. He’s got the physical maturity to do that. And the track record, how he’s continued to grow as a competitor. He believes in himself. Hendon believes in him. Our players and staff believe in him, too.”
Tillman was an afterthought before Heupel's arrival in early 2021. Now he's one of the best players in the country.
That happens because of Tillman's elite talent and work ethic, combined with Heupel and his staff's ability to develop players and put them in positions to succeed.
There's a lot for Vols fans to be happy about right now and Tillman is certainly at the top of that list.
Featured image via Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
