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High profile defensive tackle set to visit Tampa Bay Buccaneers

By Cory Kinnan

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 15: Jerry Tillery #99 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish rushes against Devin Cochran #77 of the Vanderbilt Commodores at Notre Dame Stadium on September 15, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Vanderbilt 22-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 15: Jerry Tillery #99 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish rushes against Devin Cochran #77 of the Vanderbilt Commodores at Notre Dame Stadium on September 15, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Vanderbilt 22-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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As the pre-draft process continues with two weeks until the NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to host Notre Dame defensive tackle Jerry Tillery.

According to Profootballtalk.com, Notre Dame defensive tackle will make the trip to visit with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ahead of the 2019 NFL Draft. Tillery is now just one of many defensive lineman and pass rushers to visit the Buccaneers throughout this pre-draft process, which should give a fairly decent indication of the priorities of general manager Jason Licht.

An exciting time for Tillery, as he will be able to meet with teams and workout now with a healed shoulder after he tested at the combine with a torn labrum. Shortly after his trip to Indianapolis, Tillery had surgery in order to repair his shoulder; according to Profootballtalk.com, he is now ready to roll.

While in Indianapolis, the common eye would not have been able to tell that Tillery was testing with a bummed shoulder as he still tested off the charts athletically. Measuring in at a massive 6’6 and 295 pounds, Tillery ran a 4.95 second 40 yard dash, hit 32 inches on his vertical jump, over nine feet on his broad jump, and ran a 7.45 second 3-cone drill. Even with a torn labrum, Tillery pressed 23 reps on the bench press at the combine as well.

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Tillery was a big factor in Notre Dame’s playoff run in 2018, and now as a result, is being talked about as a fringe first round pick. From his defensive tackle spot along the golden domer’s defensive line, Tillery recorded eight and a half tackles for loss and seven sacks.

With a great combination of size, speed, and explosiveness, the Buccaneers could have their sights set on Tillery if he manages to fall to the 39th pick in the draft. With the future of Gerald McCoy looking bleak in Tampa Bay, the ability to add Tillery could be an ideal situation for general manager Jason Licht and the Buccaneers.

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Now fully healthy, Tillery hopes to put on a show for teams and it looks as though he is a top 40 lock in the upcoming draft. Tampa Bay is doing their due diligence, and if he impresses and is available early in the second round, Tillery could be Buccaneer by the end of the month.

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