‘Now it’s my turn’: Cedric Tillman embracing being a second-generation NFL wide receiver
When the Cleveland Browns took Cedric Tillman in the third round of the NFL Draft, it wasn’t the first time an NFL team had called his name. That came in 1992, when Cedric Tillman, the father of Tennessee’s standout receiver, was picked in the 11th round by the Arizona Cardinals.
“I like the second generation thing,” Tillman said last week during his introductory press conference in Cleveland. “It’s really cool to have a dad who played in the league and now it’s my turn. I’m excited for it.”
Excited. Not feeling the pressure of trying to live up to the family name.
His dad played four years in the league — three with the Denver Broncos and one with the Jacksonville Jaguars — and ended his career with 87 catches for 1,227 yards and seven touchdowns. He started 10 times in 52 games.
can’t wait to see this on Sundays @Ctillman04 | #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/X49fg9knun
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 2, 2023
He was a pretty good wide receivers coach at home, too.
“My dad, obviously he coached me up and stuff like that,” Tillman said, “but he wasn’t too, too bad on me. He just kind of let me be me and he was always supportive of me. It’s cool, the second-generation thing.
“Me, obviously, I always want to compete against him, like my older brother. I want to be better than him. But that’s been cool.”
Tillman was a three-star prospect in the 2018 recruiting cycle, added to Tennessee’s class late in the process out of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. In five seasons with the Vols, he caught 109 passes for 1,622 yards and 17 touchdowns.
He had a breakout senior season in 2021, catching 64 passes for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns before being slowed by a high-ankle sprain last season, after returning to Tennessee for a fifth season.
If anything, his collegiate experienced prepared him for the pressure that comes with playing in the NFL, especially the rugged and tough AFC North.
Cedric Tillman: ‘I appreciated my time (at Tennessee)’
“The SEC, I feel like it’s the best conference,” Tillman said. “Week in and week out you’re going against top teams, top competition. So Tennessee was great. A great fanbase, they really care about their Volunteers and stuff like that. I appreciated my time there. Now I’m a Brown and I’m going to embrace these fans. Let’s go.”
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was ready to go on draft night, getting in touch with Tillman not long after Cleveland called his name.
“I got a text from him,” Tillman said, noting it was the first time he had ever communicated with the tree-time Pro Bowler. “He just told me that he was excited. He’s ready to work. He said to take in the moment and just enjoy the night. He’s ready to work and ready to go. Same here.”
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