Josh Heupel reveals the biggest change he's seen in Cedric Tillman

Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman broke out in 2021 alongside the rest of the Volunteer offense. After not catching more than three passes during his first three years in the program, Tillman exploded onto the scene last season with 64 of them for 1, 081 yards and 12 touchdowns.

He enters 2022 as the top priority on opposing scouting reports compared to being an unknown early last season. So how has Tillman evolved as a wideout over the offseason? According to his head coach, Josh Heupel, he may just be the same consistent pass catcher he was a year ago. You saw those stats. Sure, he could do better. But posting that same stat line would count as an exceptional season.

So when asked about his improvements, here was how Heupel answered at a recent press conference:

“Cedric Tillman, over the past year, just seeing him in the building, seeing him in practice — what’s different about him and are there some ways maybe he hasn’t changed at all. Last year, at this point, nobody knew who he was and and certainly didn’t know what he was about on the football field.”

Even with a target on his back now, Josh Heupel says he’s still so consistent and confident.

“And, you know, for him, he’s been so consistent. You guys see the confidence and and who he is, what he’s about. He’s got a great understanding of how to prepare, you know, his own on-field performance. He’s continued to get better, you know. Expect him to have a big night and have a big year.”

Obviously, these comments were before Tennessee’s destruction of Ball State on Thursday. But Tillman had, not a huge night, but a good night considering the Vols really didn’t need to use their top playmakers all that much. So six receptions for 68 yards is a fine first night all things considered.

Another big year in store for Cedric Tillman, according to his head coach.