BREAKING: Jerry Tillery Will Return To Notre Dame For Senior Year

Notre Dame beat LSU 21-17 in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day and since then it’s been a whirlwind as running back Josh Adams, receiver Equanimeous St. Brown and Quenton Nelson declared for the NFL Draft. 

Irish Sports Daily can confirm defensive tackle Jerry Tillery will return to Notre Dame for his senior season. Tillery will join linebacker Drue Tranquill in deciding to return to school to finish their eligibility. 

"He just decided he wanted to come back to graduate," one source told ISD.

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly also issued this statement on the return of Tillery and linebacker Te'von Coney. 

"We talk about the mission everyday: graduate our players and win a national championship. While I’m excited to have Jerry and Te’von return from a football standpoint, I’m proud that they both believe in this mission and value the significance of the ND degree."

The Louisiana native finished sixth on the team in tackles in 2017 with 56, which also included 9.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.

For his career, Tilley has recorded 105 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. 

ISD's Jamie Uyeyama believes the stats don't truly reflect the value Tillery brings to the defense. 

"No one was more valuable to the defense last season than Tillery and that will probably be the case in 2018 as well," Uyeyama said. "He led the team in quarterback pressures as a nose tackle! He makes the pass rush that much stronger.

"Against the run he held up extremely well against double teams and did so after making the tough transition from 3 technique in the previous scheme. His consistent motor and work-ethic is something that the rest of the defensive line can emulate. With a big senior season, Tillery has a chance to be a drafted in the first three rounds of the 2019 NFL Draft."