Jerry Dewayne Tillery Jr. Bio
Jerry Dewayne Tillery Jr. is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. Born on October 8, 1996, in Shreveport, Louisiana, Tillery has built a steady NFL career spanning multiple teams. He played college football at the University of Notre Dame from 2015 to 2018 before being selected 28th overall by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2019 NFL Draft. Throughout his professional career, Tillery has contributed as both an interior pass rusher and run defender, compiling meaningful statistics across six NFL seasons.
Early Life and Background
Jerry Tillery was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. His father, Jerry Tillery Sr., played college football at Louisiana Tech and later appeared in NFL games with the Atlanta Falcons, establishing football as a family tradition. This early exposure to the sport shaped Tillery’s path from a young age.
Tillery attended Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he developed into a notable high school prospect. As a senior at Evangel Christian Academy, he recorded 93 tackles and seven sacks, showcasing the defensive prowess that would define his college and professional career. His strong performance at the high school level attracted attention from major college programs across the country.
Path to American Football
Tillery’s talent earned him a scholarship to the University of Notre Dame, where he committed to play college football for the Fighting Irish. He arrived at Notre Dame in 2015 with the intention of playing offensive tackle, but the coaching staff decided he would be more impactful on the defensive side of the ball, a move that proved significant for his future career trajectory.
In his freshman season of 2015, Tillery appeared in 12 games with three starts, recording 12 tackles and one sack. He showed immediate promise as a defensive tackle and continued to develop his skills against collegiate competition. His sophomore year in 2016 saw him start 11 of 12 games, finishing with 37 tackles as he became a more consistent presence in the Fighting Irish defense.
The 2017 season marked a breakout year for Tillery, as he started all 13 games and compiled 56 tackles with 4.5 sacks. His performance demonstrated his ability to be a disruptive force in the middle of the defensive line. He returned for his senior season in 2018 and posted a career-high seven sacks, firmly establishing himself as an NFL prospect and a draftable player for the 2019 NFL Draft.
Jerry Tillery Career
Los Angeles Chargers (2019–2022)
The Los Angeles Chargers selected Tillery with the 28th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he appeared in 15 games with three starts, recording two sacks and 17 total tackles. His first NFL season provided valuable experience as he adjusted to the speed and complexity of professional football while contributing to the Chargers’ defensive line rotation.
His breakthrough season came in 2020 when he played in all 16 games with seven starts, recording three sacks, 30 total tackles, two passes defended, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. In Week 9 of the 2020 season against the Las Vegas Raiders, Tillery recorded his first career strip sack on Derek Carr, also recovering the fumble himself during the 27-25 loss. The 2021 season proved to be his best with the Chargers, as he started all 16 games and posted 4.5 sacks along with 51 total tackles, matching his career-high sack total and establishing himself as a reliable starter.
Las Vegas Raiders (2022–2023)
The Chargers declined the fifth-year option on Tillery’s contract on May 2, 2022, making him a free agent after the season. He was waived by the Chargers on November 10, 2022. However, his time unemployed was brief, as the Las Vegas Raiders claimed him off waivers just four days later on November 14, 2022. He finished the 2022 season appearing in four games with one start for the Raiders, recording one sack and 18 total tackles while also notching one forced fumble.
Tillery re-signed with the Raiders on March 17, 2023. During the 2023 season, he appeared in 17 games with six starts, recording two sacks, 31 total tackles, and one fumble recovery. His tenure with the Raiders ended on March 13, 2024, when he was released, making him available to sign with another team.
Minnesota Vikings (2024)
On March 14, 2024, Tillery signed a one-year contract worth $2.75 million with the Minnesota Vikings. He appeared in 17 games with 11 starts for Minnesota during the regular season, compiling two pass deflections, one forced fumble, and 28 combined tackles. His role as a starting defensive tackle with the Vikings provided him with consistent playing time in a new defensive system.
Kansas City Chiefs (2025–Present)
On March 19, 2025, Tillery signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on a one-year contract worth $1.79 million. He appeared in 17 games with three starts for the Chiefs during the regular season, posting one fumble recovery, 1.5 sacks, and 20 combined tackles while helping the team advance to the postseason. His tenure with the Chiefs added another chapter to his journey through the NFL.
On March 17, 2026, Tillery signed a one-year contract worth $1.49 million with the Indianapolis Colts, joining their defensive line for the 2026 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Tillery brings size and strength to the defensive tackle position at 6 feet 6 inches and 295 pounds. His frame allows him to occupy blockers and demand attention along the interior of the defensive line. He uses his length and active hands to work through blocks and disrupt opposing backfields, making him effective at both collapsing pockets in pass rush situations and plugging gaps in run defense.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his NFL career, Tillery has compiled 195 career total tackles, 14 sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and four pass deflections across six seasons. His strip sack and fumble recovery against his former team during his time with the Chargers represents one of his signature NFL moments, showcasing his ability to make game-altering plays.
Jerry Tillery Career Wins
Tillery has built a solid NFL career with consistent production across six seasons with four different franchises. His 14 career sacks and 195 total tackles demonstrate his reliability as an interior defender. His ability to force turnovers, with four career forced fumbles, adds value to any defense he joins.
Los Angeles Chargers Highlights
His most productive season came in 2021 with the Chargers when he recorded 4.5 sacks and 51 total tackles while starting all 16 games. The 2020 season also featured notable moments, including his first career forced fumble and fumble recovery against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 9. Across four seasons with the Chargers, Tillery appeared in 52 games with 26 starts, establishing himself as a capable starter before the team moved in a different direction.
Other Teams and Performances
Throughout his career with the Raiders, Vikings, and Chiefs, Tillery has continued to contribute as a rotational and starting defensive tackle. His stints with multiple teams demonstrate his adaptability to different defensive schemes and his value as a reliable veteran presence along the defensive line.
| Team | Seasons | Games | Starts | Sacks | Tackles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Chargers | 2019-2022 | 52 | 26 | 9.5 | 98 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 2022-2023 | 21 | 5 | 3 | 49 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 2024 | 17 | 11 | 0 | 28 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 2025 | 17 | 3 | 1.5 | 20 |
Jerry Tillery Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jerry Tillery comes from a football family with strong roots in Louisiana. His father, Jerry Tillery Sr., played college football at Louisiana Tech University before appearing in NFL games with the Atlanta Falcons. This family legacy provided Jerry Tillery Jr. with football knowledge and mentorship from an early age, helping him develop proper technique and understanding of the game as he grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Personal Life
Tillery attended Evangel Christian Academy in his hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana, where his football journey began. He committed to play at Notre Dame in 2015, beginning his path toward professional football. Tillery maintains connections to his Louisiana roots while continuing his NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Tillery’s first year with the Kansas City Chiefs after signing with the team in March. He appeared in 17 games with three starts during the regular season, recording 1.5 sacks, 20 combined tackles, and one fumble recovery. His contribution helped the Chiefs maintain their defensive interior presence as the team competed for playoff positioning throughout the season. The Chiefs advanced to the postseason, providing Tillery with valuable playoff experience in a winning franchise environment.
Working within the Chiefs’ defensive scheme, Tillery served as a rotational player and occasional starter along the defensive line. His familiarity with multiple defensive fronts and his ability to play both the run and pass game made him a useful piece for the Chiefs’ coaching staff. The team valued his experience and versatility as they navigated through the demanding NFL schedule.