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Tennessee football: 10 key 2022 Vols who were three-star rated recruits or lower

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) is congratulated after scoring a touchdown at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue
Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) is congratulated after scoring a touchdown at the 2021 Music City Bowl NCAA college football game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021.Kns Tennessee Purdue /
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Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917 /

player. 839. Wide receiver. Senior. Cedric Tillman. 1. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis

6’3″ 215 pounds

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One of Jeremy Pruitt’s biggest steals finally proved his value under Josh Heupel. Cedric Tillman committed to Tennessee football out Las Vegas and was no higher than a three-star on any service. He was actually a two-star on Rivals. What would anybody expect out of a kid coming all the way from Nevada with such low ratings?

Well, the graduate of Bishop Gorman High School in Clark County, Nev., waited his turn behind Jauan Jennings, Marquez Callaway and Josh Palmer, and with Heupel taking over, he finally won the starting job. There were bigger names, so it was a bit of a shock, but Tillman proved himself.

For the year, Tillman caught 64 passes for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns. Sure, he was helped with Velus Jones Jr.’s speed in the slot, but he still managed to make tons of elite plays on his own, and he proved just how elite of a pass-catcher he is in one-on-one coverage.

dark. Next. Projecting Vols' two-deep depth chart for 2022

Now, Tillman figures to be Tennessee football’s go-to receiver. He along with Hendon Hooker and Jabari Small make for a deadly offensive trio to help Heupel live up to his offensive reputation this year. That two of those guys were three-stars across the board while the other wasn’t even the starter entering last year is incredibly impressive.

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