Jerry Tillery Bio
Jerry Dewayne Tillery Jr. is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Tillery was selected 28th overall by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2019 NFL Draft and has also played for the Las Vegas Raiders and Minnesota Vikings before signing with the Chiefs in 2025. Notably, he has recorded significant defensive statistics throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Jerry Tillery was born on October 8, 1996, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He attended Evangel Christian Academy, where he excelled in football, recording 93 tackles and seven sacks during his senior year. His impressive performance in high school led him to commit to the University of Notre Dame to play college football.
Path to American Football
At Notre Dame, Jerry Tillery initially planned to play as an offensive tackle when he joined the team in 2015. However, he transitioned to defensive tackle, where he made an immediate impact. In his freshman year, he played in 12 games, starting three, and recorded 12 tackles and one sack. Over the following years, Tillery continued to develop his skills, starting in all 13 games during his junior year and finishing the season with 56 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He returned for his senior year in 2018, further solidifying his reputation as a formidable defensive player.
Jerry Tillery Career
Early Career (2019-2022)
Jerry Tillery was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, being the 28th overall pick. In his rookie season, he appeared in 15 games and made three starts, recording two sacks and 17 total tackles. His performance continued to improve, and during the 2020 season, he recorded three sacks and 30 total tackles, along with two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. In 2021, Tillery had a standout season with 4.5 sacks and 51 total tackles.
Breakthrough (2022-2024)
In November 2022, Jerry Tillery was claimed off waivers by the Las Vegas Raiders after being waived by the Chargers. He finished the 2022 season with one sack and 18 total tackles over 15 games. He re-signed with the Raiders in March 2023 and had a productive season, recording two sacks and 31 total tackles in 2023. However, he was released by the Raiders in March 2024.
Notable Works and Milestones
Jerry Tillery’s career has been marked by significant achievements, including his selection in the first round of the NFL Draft and his consistent performance on the field. He has recorded a total of 175 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles throughout his career, showcasing his defensive prowess.
Jerry Tillery Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Jerry Tillery has not received any notable award nominations.
Jerry Tillery Awards Won
Jerry Tillery has not won any awards during his professional football career.
Jerry Tillery Family
There is limited public information available regarding Jerry Tillery’s family background.
Personal Life
Jerry Tillery’s personal life details are not extensively documented in public records. He remains focused on his professional career in the NFL.