Tennessee receiver Cedric Tillman vividly remembers where he was and what he was doing when he was informed that his good friend would be his running mate on Thursday.
“I was on Twitter,” Tillman said, “watching a movie and saw it pop up on my feed so I texted him immediately, ‘Congratulations bro’. Let’s eat this year.’”
Of course, Tillman was referring to Bru McCoy, the highly-thought-of transfer from Southern California. McCoy and Tillman have gotten to be close friends over the past couple of months while McCoy waited to see if the NCAA would deem him eligible immediately this season after multiple transfers.
The Vols have plenty of capable receivers and a potential star with Cedric Tillman. However, McCoy, like Tillman, brings size to the position that isn’t easy to deal with.
“I love Bru’s physicality,” Tillman said. “He’s a big receiver like me, not afraid to lower his shoulder, very aggressive and high-pointing the ball. I can brag about Bru all day and the other receivers.”
The “other receivers” are aplenty. The Vols figure to have more depth at receiver than they did last season. Theoretically, that could mean fewer catches for Tillman. He’s fine with whatever receiver rotation is installed.
“Whatever happens, If it’s 6, 8, whatever, 10,” Tillman said of the number of receivers that could play this fall. “That’s the coaches’ decision.”
However many receivers Tennessee plays, opposing defenses will be constantly aware of where Tillman is. That comes with a breakout season in 2021 and preseason accolades, such as All-SEC by both the media and the coaches.
It’s safe to say that Tillman should feel confident that he will still be a top option for the Vols. After 64 catches and 1081 receiving yards last season, Tillman proved he could fit into coach Josh Heupel’s offense quite nicely. His confidence has fallen in line with his production.
“Obviously, it’s high,” Tillman said. “Really to me, I’ve always had confidence in myself and kind of know what I can do…I’m excited about the season. I’ve got all the confidence in the world. Whatever I can do to help my team win is what I plan to do.”
Tillman may have to do more – or at least something different – than he did last season. No one outside of Knoxville knew who Tillman was last season. Now, he’s a known commodity. Surely, defenses will have a better scheme to defend Tennessee’s offense, right?
“That’s what I keep hearing,” Tillman said. “Me personally, I really don’t know. I really don’t play the defensive side of the ball. Whatever teams throw at me, I believe in my preparation more.
“They say the best receivers always get double teamed, always get the attention, so it’s just one of those things that comes with it. Whatever happens, happens. I’m going to play my game and do the best to help the team win.”
It seemed as if the offseason, or at least reporters’ questions about last season, had worn on Tillman when he visited with the media on Monday.
When asked to look back on last season and how the Vols could improve, Tillman said, “The second quarter, we kind of dipped. The second half, we kind of dipped compared to the first quarter. When we want to let up steam, keep going and keep pushing.”
Why did the Vols lack the intensity that Tillman said they missed?
“Lack of experience and a lack of focus kind of made us go on a down slope,” Tillman said. “So this year, we learned from last year. I’m not talking about last year no more. We’re just going to change those things.”
If the microphone in front of Tillman wasn’t attached to the podium, the senior might have dropped it right at that moment.
