Joel Tillery Joel Tillery 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB/ATH St. John's College | 2027 State MD plays with excellent speed and shows strong ability in pass coverage from the linebacker position. He consistently breaks on the ball with good timing and awareness, disrupting passing lanes and forcing bat-downs, while also creating turnover opportunities for his teammates, including interceptions. Tillery’s range and instincts make him a reliable second-level defender who can impact the passing game in multiple ways.

Joel Tillery Joel Tillery 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB/ATH St. John's College | 2027 State MD : Versatile Front-Seven Enforcer with Physical Edge Presence

Joel Tillery Joel Tillery 5'11" | 200 lbs | LB/ATH St. John's College | 2027 State MD made his presence felt in 2024, earning WCAC All-Conference honors for his consistent impact and versatility in the defensive front seven. A hybrid defender with the ability to line up at both linebacker and stand-up defensive end, Tillery brings a physical, instinctive style of play that allows him to thrive against the run.

Tillery excels at taking on blocks without losing sight of the ball, showing the strength to hold his ground and the awareness to shed and pursue. His lateral movement and quick first step make him a threat to disrupt plays off the edge, where he consistently sets a physical tone. Whether he’s holding the perimeter or collapsing down the line, Tillery adds toughness and energy to any front.

Currently holding an offer from UNC-Charlotte, Tillery’s versatility, motor, and physicality make him a rising name to watch as he continues to anchor one of the most competitive defenses in the region.

Tillery is a compact, physical linebacker who lines up in multiple spots across the second level, including edge, middle and outside linebacker. His highlights demonstrate that he possesses a strong motor, is physical at the point of attack, and consistently shows great effort in pursuit. Tillery is a good run-stopper and a reliable open-field tackler. He’s comfortable playing off the edge, inside or in space. His coaches trust him with a few roles on defense.

What I’d like to see from him this season: I’d like to see some more plays of him in coverage, zone or man, to see how he reacts to the ball. Seeing how he handles consistent engagement with offensive linemen would be valuable in the evaluation process. He’s not the biggest, but he’s a dependable, assignment-sound linebacker whose playing style is disciplined, physical, and fast.