WR Cedric Tillman (4.28.23)
On how fired up he is to be catching passes from QB Deshaun Watson:
“I’m fired up. You know Deshaun Watson is one of the best quarterbacks in the league and I’m really looking forward to getting to know all my teammates and new brothers, new coaches and stuff, so I’m excited.”
On joining the Browns wide receivers and what they all bring to the table:
“We’ll see. I’m excited. Like I said, I know all those receivers, those are all good receivers. I’m really excited to join them and be a part of the Cleveland Browns receiving group.”
On the mental fight to overcome his injuries last season and to get back to being ready to get drafted:
“Yeah, you know, it’s tough. Last year didn’t go the way I necessarily wanted it to. I, unfortunately, got hurt. Like I said, that adversity, I fought through it. I fought to get my ankle back ready to go and I’m a hundred percent now and ready to go.”
On his contact with the Browns before the draft:
“We talked at the combine and stuff like that. I believe we talked a few times outside of it. Like I said, I’m excited to be a Brown.”
On if it was a surprise to be drafted by the Browns:
“I was a little surprised, but it was a good surprise. I’m ready to go.”
On how he expects his size and hands to help him as he moves to the NFL from the SEC:
“Those things you named, I use those to my advantage. I’m working hard each and every day to get better at the things I may not be the best at. So I’m just going to bring my tools, my hands, my body. I’m going to dominate. That’s what I plan on doing.”
On if he had any exposure to Jimmy Haslam during his college career at Tennessee: I have. He’s come to practice quite a bit of times. Obviously, there’s a relationship there.
On why it was important for him to fight through his ankle injury last season and be there for his team:
“I’m a football player. My job is to go out there and compete with my brothers. You know, I wanted to go out there and compete. I played in the SEC, the best. So I want to go against the best of the best and help my team win and it was important for me.”
On if he’s watched WR Amari Cooper over the years and how excited he is to pick his brain:
“I’m very excited, I’ve watched Amari Cooper since his Alabama days. So having one of the best receivers, one of the best route runners, being able to learn from him will be huge for my game. I look forward to it.”
On how much influence his dad had on his life and what it means to him to be drafted like his dad:
“It’s huge. It’s a blessing. Especially to be a Cleveland Brown, one of the great historic franchises. I’m ready to go. It hasn’t been an easy journey, but I wouldn’t replace it for a thing and I’m excited to go.
On how he benefited from having a dad in the league:
“Just having someone who has done it at the highest level, being able to coach me and help me out. Tough love at times, but it’s definitely needed and definitely has been huge in my success.”
On what type of competitor he is and what he is hoping to prove:
“I’m a great competitor. I go out there and I compete every day, especially one-on-one situations and team situations, so I give my all on the field. Like I said, I’m looking forward to joining those other great receivers you just named.”
On what it meant to represent his brother wearing the number 4 at Tennessee:
“It’s huge. Like you said, my brother didn’t necessarily have the opportunity to, so being able to represent him through my high school and college career was very important for me.”
On what he was thinking when his teammate was drafted and what he thought about back-to-back Tennessee receivers:
“I wasn’t expecting them to go back to back. Like I said, I’m blessed and happy for (Jalin) Hyatt. That’s my brother and we’ve been through a lot together. I’m proud of him and he’s gonna ball out and I plan on doing the same.”
On how the Tennessee offense prepared him for the NFL and what adjustment he is going to have to learn:
“I think, obviously, Tennessee really helped me. I learned how to play fast and really compete for the ball down field, run downfield routes. Going to the league, it’s a different type of game. Route running is going to be an important key, so I’m going to learn from one of the best in Amari Cooper, and that’s going to be dope.”
On playing primarily on the right side in college and if he’s comfortable moving around:
“Absolutely. Like I said, we played a fast-tempo offense. I can play anywhere, flat, outside, left, right–it doesn’t matter.”
On if he’s a junior:
“Yes.”
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