Cedric Tillman’s breakout season ‘has been in the making for a while’

Cedric Tillmans last three games haven’t come as a surprise to the cleveland browns wide receivers coach Chad O’Shea. The second-year NFL receiver and former Tennessee star has earned his opportunity and isn’t going to miss his chance.

“Really impressed with Cedric and his performance on the field,” O’Shea said during a press conference on Friday. “It’s no accident. This is something that’s been in the works for a while, just because of his work ethic and how he’s improved.”

The improvement jumps off the page.

Tillman this season has 24 catches for 264 yards and three touchdowns, with almost all of that coming over the last three games – 21 catches, 255 yards and all three touchdowns.

Cedric Tillman scored 32 times in the last three games

He caught six passes for 75 yards and a touchdown on Nov. 3 against the Chargers after he had seven catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns against the Ravens. He had eight catches for 81 yards against the Bengals on October 20.

Tillman has been targeted 32 times over the past three games.

The success, O’Shea said, has been achieved over the weeks.

“(It’s) the stuff off the field,” he said, “in the meeting room, he’s just been outstanding. He’s really followed some of the leaders that we have on our team, just how to go about his business on a day-to-day basis. And on the pitch he has had the opportunity and I think he has made the most of his opportunity.”

As a rookie last season, Tillman caught 21 passes for 224 yards in 14 games, making three starts.

Tillman had a breakout junior season at Tennessee in 2022, catching 64 passes for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns. He became the first Tennessee receiver to pass for 1,000 yards since Justin Hunter in 2010.

He battled a high ankle sprain during his senior season in 2023 and played in just six games. He caught 37 passes for 417 yards and three touchdowns.

Cedric Tillman was one of four Tennessee players selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft

Tillman was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft, taken No. 74 overall by the Browns.

Tillman was one of four Tennessee players selected in the third round in 2023. Hendon Hooker went as no. 68 overall for the Detroit Lions and Jalin Hyatt was chosen one place ahead of Tillman as no. 73 overall for the New York Giants. Defensive end Byron Young was chosen as no. 77 overall by the Los Angeles Rams.

Just 23 games into his NFL career, Tillman has proven to be a steal in the third round with what he brings both on and off the field.

“He’s prepared for the opportunity,” O’Shea said, “and that’s what I’m most proud of about Cedric. It’s the work ethic and the things that don’t show on game day that really gave him the opportunity to get so great success on the field.”