Jerry Tillery

Jerry Dewayne Tillery Jr. (born October 8, 1996) is an American football defensive end for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Notre Dame.

Early years
Tillery attended Evangel Christian Academy in Shreveport, Louisiana. As a senior he had 93 tackles and seven sacks. He committed to the University of Notre Dame to play college football.

College career
Tillery was originally going to play offensive tackle as a freshman at Notre Dame in 2015, but it was later decided he would play defensive tackle. That season, he played in 12 games with three starts and recorded 12 tackles and a sack. As a sophomore in 2016, he started 11 of 12 games, recording 37 tackles. As a junior in 2017, Tillery started all 13 games, finishing the season with 56 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He returned to Notre Dame for his senior year in 2018.

Los Angeles Chargers
Tillery was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers 28th overall in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he appeared in 15 games and made three starts. He had two sacks and 17 total tackles (nine solo).

In Week 9 of the 2020 season against the Las Vegas Raiders, Tillery recorded a strip sack on Derek Carr that he also recovered during the 27–25 loss. This was Tillery's first forced fumble and fumble recovery in the NFL. In the 2020 season, he had three sacks, 30 total tackles (19 solo), two passes defended, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. In the 2021 season, Tillery had 4.5 sacks and 51 total tackles (24 solo) in 16 games and starts.

The Chargers declined the fifth-year option on Tillery's contract on May 2, 2022, making him a free agent after the season. Tillery was waived on November 10, 2022.

Las Vegas Raiders
On November 14, 2022, Tillery was claimed off waivers by the Las Vegas Raiders. He finished the 2022 season with one sack, 18 total tackles (13 solo), and one forced fumble over 15 games and four starts with both teams.

Tillery re-signed with the Raiders on March 17, 2023. In an October 1 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Tillery was ejected after a late hit on former teammate Justin Herbert. In the 2023 season, he finished with two sacks, 31 total tackles (11 solo), and one fumble recovery in 17 games and six starts. Tillery was released by the Raiders on March 13, 2024.

Minnesota Vikings
On March 14, 2024, Tillery signed with the Minnesota Vikings.