UL Athlete (1998-2002) Charles Tillman

<blockquote><p align=justify>DJ Boyer collected by draftbook.com

2-7-03

<li>Strength: Size Speed
<li>Weakness: Play recognition, Footwork </li></li>

Assessment: Versatile defender who can play both free safety and cornerback. Has very good size and speed combination going for him. Tillman is a playmaker no matter where he lines up and he has a ton of experience. Versatility and experience mean that he is one of the players in the secondary that is most ready to make the jump to the NFL. I don’t buy the theories that he will struggle as a cornerback at the NFL level. Some say quicker receivers will give him problems underneath, Tillman has the speed to stay with those receivers and he is too intelligent to struggle in that area. Could be picked on the first day if he has a good combine and/or personal workouts.


<hr>John Murphy collected by draftbook.com
2-03-03 Louisiana-Lafayette DB's Charles Tillman and Ivan Taylor both flashed good skill level... Tillman is a savvy, experienced defender... who will step right in and contribute to someone's secondary as a rookie...
<center><p><a href="http://www.draftbook.com/2003/charlestillman.html">The rest of the story</a><!--
12-04-02 Louisiana-Lafayette senior defensive back Charles Tillman capped off a stellar college career by recording 100 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, eight pass breakups, three blocked kicks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries this season. He also returned three punts for 57 yards. The Texas native registered 11 tackles, two blocked punts and one forced fumble against Arkansas, which helped him earn Sun Belt Conference Special Teams Player of the Week. He has 284 tackles in his career, which places him in the top five in tackles all-time at the school, and second only to Orlando Thomas in terms of tackles made by a defensive back. He was a ballhawk at both cornerback and free safety, grabbing 12 career interceptions, including six picks, as a sophomore. Nicknamed "Peanut" he was moved to free safety during the season, which allowed him to survey opposing quarterbacks and anchor the Ragin' Cajuns' secondary. "(I) think there is no question that he (Tillman) is an NFL caliber player," according to Ragin' Cajuns head coach Rickey Bustle. "NFL teams are deciding which position is best for him (free safety or cornerback). I've talked to almost every pro scout after we moved him to free safety and they all said that being able to play another position will help his final grade." Hula Bowl officials must agree because they recently invited him to take part in the 56th annual event, which will be played on February 1st in Maui, Hawaii, as part of joint football weekend with the NFL Pro Bowl. "It is a great honor to have been selected", said Tillman, "(I) will play either spot... whatever they ask me to do... my production and ability to make plays helps make a good defender at either position." Scheme-wise he would fit as a cornerback for teams like the Jets and Buccaneers, while others may like to take advantage of his ball skills at free safety. His impressive play on special teams will almost certainly boost his final grade. Additionally, off-the-field he is a well-spoken, respectful person who will grade out as a high character individual. So, while pro scouts decide which position (CB or FS) Tillman is best suited to play in the NFL... one thing was for certain... college receivers certainly found "Peanut" a hard nut to crack in pass coverage.


<hr>TFY collected by draftbook.com
12-20-02 Two players getting a lot of ink lately are a pair of defensive backs from UL-Lafayette; Ivan Taylor and Charles Tillman. Both are nice sized, speedy secondary players reportedly making a huge jump up draft boards. In fact Blesto recently ranked Taylor as the fifth best prospect in the country......hmm. Recently we spoke with scouts and others involved in the Rajun Cajun program and to a man the bottom line was Taylor was faster and a better athlete but Tillman was the better football player. Tillman, a safety that also spent time at cornerback, was the primary force in the UL-Lafayette defense and the leader of the unit. For his part Taylor, a former running back that played only two of the five years he was in college due to academic problems, made great strides as a football player but still has a ways to go. Many are looking at Taylor's size (6-0/188) speed (4.45) numbers and drooling. To our minds he is a solid prospect but should not be the fifth rated corner in the nation, never mind player. Tillman will be playing in the Hula Bowl (big deal) and the GridIron Classic (the same game Travis Fischer made his move last year), next month. -->

<table cellspacing=1 cellpadding=2 width="100%" border=1><tr class=bg1><td colspan=13><b>DEFENSIVE STATISTICS</b></td></tr><tr class=bg1><td>YEAR</td><td>GP</td><td>GS</td><td>TK</td><td>SO</td><td>AS</td><td>FR</td><td>FC</td><td>INT</td><td>TFL</td><td>PBU</td><td>SACK</td><td>BK</td></tr><tr class=bg2><td>1999</td><td>11</td><td>5</td><td>82</td><td>52</td><td>30</td><td>3</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>1-5</td><td>6</td><td>0.0-0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class=bg2><td>2000</td><td>11</td><td>11</td><td>64</td><td>48</td><td>16</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>6</td><td>3-22</td><td>9</td><td>2.0-21</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class=bg2><td>2001</td><td>11</td><td>11</td><td>38</td><td>17</td><td>21</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>3-5</td><td>8</td><td>0.0-0</td><td>0</td></tr><tr class=bg2><td>2002</td><td>12</td><td>12</td><td>100</td><td>65</td><td>35</td><td>2</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>2-5</td><td>8</td><td>0.0-0</td><td>3</td></tr><tr class=bg1><td>TOTAL</td><td>45</td><td>39</td><td>284</td><td>182</td><td>102</td><td>6</td><td>7</td><td>12</td><td>9-37</td><td>31</td><td>2.0-21</td><td>3</td></tr></table>
<table cellspacing=1 cellpadding=2 width="100%" border=1><tr class=bg1><td colspan=6><b>INTERCEPTION RETURNS</b></td><td colspan=5><b>ADVANCED FUMBLES</b></td></tr><tr class=bg1><td>YEAR</td><td>NO</td><td>YARDS</td><td>AVG</td><td>TD</td><td>LONG</td><td>NO</td><td>YARDS</td><td>AVG</td><td>TD</td><td>LONG</td></tr><tr class=bg2><td>1999</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1</td><td>14</td><td>14.0</td><td>0</td><td>14</td></tr><tr class=bg2><td>2000</td><td>6</td><td>15</td><td>2.5</td><td>0</td><td>16</td><td>1</td><td>17</td><td>17.0</td><td>0</td><td>17</td></tr><tr class=bg2><td>2001</td><td>4</td><td>13</td><td>3.3</td><td>0</td><td>8</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr><tr class=bg2><td>2002</td><td>2</td><td>8</td><td>4.0</td><td>0</td><td>8</td><td>1</td><td>4</td><td>4.0</td><td>0</td><td>4</td></tr><tr class=bg1><td>TOTAL</td><td>12</td><td>36</td><td>3.0</td><td>0</td><td>16</td><td>3</td><td>35</td><td>11.7</td><td>0</td><td>17</td></tr></table>
<table cellspacing=1 cellpadding=2 width="100%" border=1><tr class=bg1><td colspan=6><b>PUNT RETURNS</b></td><td colspan=5><b>RUSHING STATISTICS</b></td></tr><tr class=bg1><td>YEAR</td><td>NO</td><td>YARDS</td><td>AVG</td><td>TD</td><td>LONG</td><td>NO</td><td>YARDS</td><td>AVG</td><td>TD</td><td>LONG</td></tr><tr class=bg2><td>2001</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>1.0</td><td>0</td><td>1</td></tr><tr class=bg2><td>2002</td><td>3</td><td>57</td><td>19.0</td><td>0</td><td>41</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td><td>&nbsp;</td></tr></table>
<center><a href="http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/tillman_charles">The rest of the story</a>

<blockquote><p align=justify>
<b>Positives</b>: Has a good frame with solid muscle mass and development … Shows agility, balance, quickness and flexibility driving out of his backpedal … Tough and physical collision tackler … Hard worker in the weight room and football field … Has a good short-area burst to mirror receivers and can accelerate off his turn to maintain stride with the opponent on deep routes … Shows proper pass-drop technique to break on the ball … Uses his hands effectively to jam the receivers at the line … Gets a good jump on the ball and uses his leaping ability to combat for the ball at its highest point … Anticipates the pass quickly, showing good pursuit speed.

<b>Needs</b>: Stands too tall in his backpedal, causing him to gather himself and take wasted steps in transition … Allows separation at times, as he gives up too much cushion underneath … Hits well, but lacks classic wrapup tackling technique, dipping his shoulder and turning his head before making the stop … Not sudden in his burst, preferring to let the plays come directly to him.

<b>CAREER NOTES</b>
Four-year starter, team captain and the "coach on the field," according to the ULL staff … Will spend considerable time in the film room preparing for his opponents … A very vocal leader on the field, he sacrificed personal success for that of the team by moving from left cornerback to free safety midway through his final campaign … Finished with 284 tackles (182 solos) with 2 sacks, 9 stops behind the line of scrimmage, 7 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries, 12 interceptions, 31 pass deflections and 3 blocked kicks.

<center><a href="http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/tillman_charles">The rest of the story</a>

A natural cornerback that was converted to free safety eight games into the season because of an injury to the Cajuns starting free safety. Showed versatility and a desire to succeed in playing new position. Transition to free safety improved the Cajuns defense, helping the team win two of its last four. Excellent cover-man who routinely shut down the opponent’s top receiver – just one player posted a 100-yard receiving game against UL Lafayette in 2002. Invited to 2003 Hula Bowl and Gridiron Classic. Intercepted Harvard quarterback Neil Rose in the second quarter of the Hula Bowl. Elected not to play in the Gridiron Classic.

Finished his career with 284 total tackles and 12 interceptions. His total tackles rank as the 5th most all-time by a Cajun and second all-time among defensive backs. Named to the 2001 and 2002 Sun Belt Conference First Team, a unanimous selection in 2002. Named First Team All-Louisiana in 2002.

Has the size, speed and strength to excel at the next level…Very good against both the run and the pass...Has great quickness and leaping ability...Possesses the athleticism, experience and technique to dominate.

<center><table border=6><td><img src="http://www.idatasports.com/roadtrips/2003/020103/photos/2-53.jpg"></td></table><p>

<center><table cellspacing=1><TR ALIGN=CENTER><td class="s2"><b>Charles Tillman Career at Louisiana</b></TR></TABLE></CENTER><P><center><TABLE border=1 cellPadding=2 cellSpacing=1 ><TBODY><TR ALIGN=CENTER><td class="s2"><b>Year</b></TD><TD><b>Int-Yds</b></TD><TD><b>Takls-Solo</b></TD><TD><b>FF</b></TD><TD><b>FR</b></TD><TD><b>TFL</b></TD><TD><b>PD</b></TD><TD><b>Sacks-Yds</b></TD><TD><b>G-GS</TD><TR ALIGN=CENTER><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TR ALIGN=CENTER><TD>1999 UL</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>82-52</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>11-5</TD><TR ALIGN=CENTER><TD>2000 UL</TD><TD>6-15</TD><TD>64-48</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>2-21</TD><TD>11-11</TD><TR ALIGN=CENTER><TD>2001 UL</TD><TD>4-13</TD><TD>38-17</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>11-11</TD><TR ALIGN=CENTER><TD>2002 UL</TD><TD>2-8</TD><TD>100-65</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>12-12</TD><TR ALIGN=CENTER><TD>Career Totals</TD><TD>12-36</TD><TD>284-182</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>31</TD><TD>2-21</TD><TD>45-39</TD></TABLE></CENTER><center><p><a href="http://www.chicagobears.com/team/index.cfm?cont_id=183123">ChicagoBears.com</a>

What the hell does Foote know? He said on his program yesterday that Tillman got lit up regularly in his Sr season. Say what???? Foote should limit his observations and whining to his beloved Astros.:hot:

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Originally posted by cajuncharlie
What the hell does Foote know? He said on his program yesterday that Tillman got lit up regularly in his Sr season. Say what???? Foote should limit his observations and whining to his beloved Astros.:hot:

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Tillman was double teamed all year, on a few occasions triple teamed.

how is a safety double teamed and triple teamed?

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Originally posted by smeegles
how is a safety double teamed and triple teamed?

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No joke (LOL) even though I read and typed Tillman I was thinking Stamps.

Quote:

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Originally posted by cajuncharlie
What the hell does Foote know? He said on his program yesterday that Tillman got lit up regularly in his Sr season. Say what???? Foote should limit his observations and whining to his beloved Astros.:hot:

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I don't remember the source some rating service.

But I read last week that knowing what we know now, if the 2003 draft were held today Tillman would go in the top-10

Tillman is a bad ~~~ I will tell you that much. He has got great ability. I think he will be a well known CB if he keeps doing what hes doing.Im excited to see how he does next season. I think he will be a probowler soon.
Im really happy that stamps signed with Frisco. i mean with all the good WR I knew it would have been hard to get drafted due to the needs of NFL teams.Even though Stamps is like 5"11 170 he is one of the best out there. I've seen the guy make catches that dropped jaws. Its all about size these days which I could understand but I think the little man stamps will work his way in and do good for Frisco. Good pick for Frisco.

Go cajuns 04, I'm ready to see some of these kids this year. I think we got some talent this year.

Turbine, actually I screwed up!!:( I made my post in reply to one made by RealityCajun, in which he agreed with Foote that we had no real candidates for the draft. I get exasperated with Foote at times, and when he said that Tillman was "regularly lit up" in his Sr. season at UL, I could not believe my ears. Every CB gets beat, I don't care how good they are, but on a "regular basis"!! I don't know why I listen to that program. Between Foote whining and UConn man, along with other self proclaimed experts, it makes for dismal listening.