River Bluff QB learning new position at Shrine Bowl

As a starting quarterback at River Bluff, Brandon Tillmon didn’t have much time to work on the defensive side of the ball.

That isn’t the case this week as Tillmon will work exclusively on defense at outside linebacker for the South Carolina squad for Saturday’s 79^th annual Shrine Bowl.

Playing linebacker this week will get Tillmon used to the position he will play in college. The senior, who is the Gators’ first Shrine Bowl selection in school history, is verbally committed to play football and baseball at Liberty next year.

“It is great to be able to focus on that position and work on it in practice and put my whole attention on playing linebacker,” Tillmon said this week. “I prepared working on a good bit before I got here since I didn’t get to do a lot of reps. The biggest adjustment is getting used to what I am going to play on the next level and the mindset you got to have for defense.”

Tillmon was used mainly on third downs this season as a pass rusher, but practiced sparingly on that side the past two seasons. He recorded 16 tackles, including four sacks, this season. Two of those sacks came against South Aiken when he earned Midlands Player of the Week honors.

Offensively, Tillmon thrived in his second season as the team’s quarterback. He led the team in rushing with 798 yards and 16 touchdowns, and also completed 58 percent of his passes for 1,478 yards and nine scores.

“Brandon is such a good athlete, but we had to play him at quarterback. We would spot play him on defense and he would get a few reps during the week,” River Bluff coach David Bennett said. “I think once he goes to college when he gets bigger and stronger he is going to get better. There is a big upside to Brandon. This is week for him and making reads. I think he is going to have fun getting to hit people. He is aggressive.”

Tillmon said his aggressive nature and his knowledge of the offensive side of the ball has come in handy as he makes the adjustment to being a full-time defensive player.

“It gives you an advantage that you might be able to recognize a formation or tendency more than someone who has never played on offense,” Tillmon said.

This story was originally published December 17, 2015 at 11:29 PM.