Tilford is a 6-2, 206, Freshman running back from Colony HS, Ontario, CA. His Senior year he ran for 2031 yards on 9.1 ypc and 30 TDs plus 25 catches for 601 yards and 8 more TDs and had 1 more TD on a punt return.
Not impressed by his high school production. Neither is Tilford. He enrolled early and has already been working to show he is ready to carry the ball for Arizona. Here's what Coach Rod and his teammates think of Tilford from this spring courtesy of AZDS:
“He’s a guy that loves football, graduated early so he could get here and get spring practice,” Rich Rodriguez said of his running back recruit after the team’s spring showcase. “He’s just got the right approach. He’s got a lot to learn, but coach (Calvin) Magee will get him ready and he’ll have a great career I think.”
“He’s eager to learn,” Zach Green added about his position-mate. “He’s just ready to play, and he’s always coming in and asking us about information and stuff like that, so he can’t wait.”
“He’s gonna be a monster, no doubt about it,” J.J. Taylor continued.
“He’s a big back for sure. It’s a sight to see I’ll tell ya. It’s quite different,” Arizona linebacker Brandon Rutt explained. “You gotta go for the thighs against him, but he’s done pretty good. I went up against him a couple times this scrimmage and he did very good, so I think he’s gonna be a great add for us as a running back.”
“I think it’s his length and his power,” Green said about Tilford’s biggest strengths. “You guys might not see it now but he has a lot of power; kids just slide off him in practice so I can’t wait to see him actually do that.”
“He’s a big running back and he can bring a lot of power to the offense,” Shun Brown added. “I feel like he’s gonna be a good player.”
“In the South,” Brown joked about if he’s seen running backs at that height. “But here, not really. Most of the running backs are like 5-11 ya know, but I’ve seen a lot of 6-2 running backs.”
“But he’s one of those backs that’s 6-2 and you better get out the way.”
33 was Nate Phillip's team high number of catches last year (Shun Brown led the team in receiving yards). By comparison Wash St had 7 receivers with 33 catches or more and Gabe Marks led their team with 89 grabs.
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2017 6:59 am
by chiefzona
He's going to be fun to watch.
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2017 7:14 pm
by Robert A Booey
He hasn't seen any action lately so I assume they're redshirting him?
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2017 7:18 pm
by UAEebs86
Robert A Booey wrote:He hasn't seen any action lately so I assume they're redshirting him?
He's already played. Can't redshirt unless he has a season ending injury I believe.
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2017 7:31 pm
by Robert A Booey
UAEebs86 wrote:
Robert A Booey wrote:He hasn't seen any action lately so I assume they're redshirting him?
He's already played. Can't redshirt unless he has a season ending injury I believe.
Yeah, you're right. I was getting a normal redshirt confused with a medical redshirt where you can play a few games like JJ did last year.
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 12:39 pm
by tgrumpy2
Robert A Booey wrote:
UAEebs86 wrote:
Robert A Booey wrote:He hasn't seen any action lately so I assume they're redshirting him?
He's already played. Can't redshirt unless he has a season ending injury I believe.
Yeah, you're right. I was getting a normal redshirt confused with a medical redshirt where you can play a few games like JJ did last year.
I believe if he participates in less than 10% of the season he can still redshirt. Since it was only one game in a 12 game schedule I think the redshirt is on.
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 12:43 pm
by Merkin
tgrumpy2 wrote:
Robert A Booey wrote:
UAEebs86 wrote:
Robert A Booey wrote:He hasn't seen any action lately so I assume they're redshirting him?
He's already played. Can't redshirt unless he has a season ending injury I believe.
Yeah, you're right. I was getting a normal redshirt confused with a medical redshirt where you can play a few games like JJ did last year.
I believe if he participates in less than 10% of the season he can still redshirt. Since it was only one game in a 12 game schedule I think the redshirt is on.
Unless they made a major change to the rules recently, once you step foot on the playing field your redshirt has ended.
There is a proposal to allow someone to play in 4 games and still keep their redshirt, but that won't be voted on until January.
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 1:20 pm
by UAEebs86
tgrumpy2 wrote:
Robert A Booey wrote:
UAEebs86 wrote:
Robert A Booey wrote:He hasn't seen any action lately so I assume they're redshirting him?
He's already played. Can't redshirt unless he has a season ending injury I believe.
Yeah, you're right. I was getting a normal redshirt confused with a medical redshirt where you can play a few games like JJ did last year.
I believe if he participates in less than 10% of the season he can still redshirt. Since it was only one game in a 12 game schedule I think the redshirt is on.
I think you are mixing up the rules for a medical redshirt and a voluntary redshirt. Two different things.
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 2:16 pm
by MrBug708
If they played in the first game and none of the others, you can get a red shirt still on a waiver. You usually need to miss a game or two in the next season
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 7:51 pm
by SoutherAZ
Tilford has played in 5 games, so I don't think he'll be redshirting. He didn't play in the Houston game. I read somewhere that they were using him on the kickoff team.
I’m not really sure what the deal is with Nathan Tilford, but it was shocking that he didn’t get any playing time with Wilson and Taylor missing most of the game.
Green did a phenomenal job anyway, but it was interesting that Branden Leon, a former walk-on who’s rarely ever used, got carries over Tilford, a former four-star recruit.
Tilford has only gotten carries in two games this year, but he’s appeared in six games, according to his player page, meaning a redshirt year is off the table.
So why isn’t he playing? Who knows, but it’s not a good sign that Arizona’s top 2017 recruit can’t break the running back rotation even when the top two options are unavailable.
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 8:32 am
by chiefzona
Tilford leads all of the Arizona RBs at 9.7 yards per carry.
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 8:33 am
by PieceOfMeat
Is Tilfored in RR's dog house for some reason? Does he fumble constantly in practice? Leon in before Tilford really does raise the eyebrow.
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 8:35 am
by chiefzona
PieceOfMeat wrote:Is Tilfored in RR's dog house for some reason? Does he fumble constantly in practice? Leon in before Tilford really does raise the eyebrow.
Not to my knowledge. I think he muffed it once in game. I think he’s saving him for a real team.
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 8:38 am
by wyo-cat
PieceOfMeat wrote:Is Tilfored in RR's dog house for some reason? Does he fumble constantly in practice? Leon in before Tilford really does raise the eyebrow.
I'm just reading the tea leaves, it has to be either handles or blocking skill that are holding Tilford back.
That's the only things I can think of.
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 8:55 am
by chiefzona
Just looked at the stats. Tilford hasn’t fumbled in game. Taylor has fumbled once and Dawkins 3 times.
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 10:44 am
by azcat49
Picking up the blitz in the backfield is very important and the experience he lacks. RR is not the only coach who rewards those who stick with the program. he loves Green and his work between the tackle. I am not sure that Tilford has yet mastered the footwork and vision to take advantage of the zone blocking and the holes off the cutbacks that Green and Wilson do so well. Even JJ misses some of those.
I am sure RR has told him his time will come as early as next year where he will slide into RB !B at worst In the meantime give us what you have on special teams and lets win. Now if you want to argue a year was wasted on special teams, well then I am with you 100%
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 11:43 am
by PieceOfMeat
wyo-cat wrote:
PieceOfMeat wrote:Is Tilfored in RR's dog house for some reason? Does he fumble constantly in practice? Leon in before Tilford really does raise the eyebrow.
I'm just reading the tea leaves, it has to be either handles or blocking skill that are holding Tilford back.
That's the only things I can think of.
azcat49 wrote:Picking up the blitz in the backfield is very important and the experience he lacks. RR is not the only coach who rewards those who stick with the program. he loves Green and his work between the tackle. I am not sure that Tilford has yet mastered the footwork and vision to take advantage of the zone blocking and the holes off the cutbacks that Green and Wilson do so well. Even JJ misses some of those.
I am sure RR has told him his time will come as early as next year where he will slide into RB !B at worst In the meantime give us what you have on special teams and lets win. Now if you want to argue a year was wasted on special teams, well then I am with you 100%
Good points guys. I had overlooked the blocking for some reason earlier. I wonder if that's the reason then.
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 4:28 pm
by chiefzona
He blocks just fine. RR said that he isn’t ready yet.
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 4:40 pm
by azcat49
Haha, of course you know that the coaches are confident in him that he can pick up those blitzes Fact is you don't and while I do believe his time will come I just don't think the coaches have the same confidence in him as they do Green (and rightfully so given his time in the program) or what a fumble might do to Tilfords confidence going forward. Running in a blow out against NAU or UTEP is a heck of a lot different then running in a conference game that is a nutt cutter. Hey but thanks for being consistent Chief
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 5:02 pm
by azgreg
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2017 7:48 pm
by tgrumpy2
azcat49 wrote:Haha, of course you know that the coaches are confident in him that he can pick up those blitzes Fact is you don't and while I do believe his time will come I just don't think the coaches have the same confidence in him as they do Green (and rightfully so given his time in the program) or what a fumble might do to Tilfords confidence going forward. Running in a blow out against NAU or UTEP is a heck of a lot different then running in a conference game that is a nutt cutter. Hey but thanks for being consistent Chief
I do believe you've hit the nail on the head but some people just want to troll and throw crap at the wall to see if something will stick.
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 6:23 am
by chiefzona
azcat49 wrote:Haha, of course you know that the coaches are confident in him that he can pick up those blitzes Fact is you don't and while I do believe his time will come I just don't think the coaches have the same confidence in him as they do Green (and rightfully so given his time in the program) or what a fumble might do to Tilfords confidence going forward. Running in a blow out against NAU or UTEP is a heck of a lot different then running in a conference game that is a nutt cutter. Hey but thanks for being consistent Chief
Sure I am. From what was said out of camp to when I saw him....then his short time on the field this season. Brandon Leon is ahead of him and if you watch him, he misses blocks. So, I can deduce that missing blocks is not the issue. I can also deduce that ball safety is not the issue. I just take what the head ball coach said and the pill is easy to swallow. It's that simple. But, you can go on about Chief this and that. It's your prerogative. Enjoy the season.
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 9:59 am
by tgrumpy2
chiefzona wrote:
azcat49 wrote:Haha, of course you know that the coaches are confident in him that he can pick up those blitzes Fact is you don't and while I do believe his time will come I just don't think the coaches have the same confidence in him as they do Green (and rightfully so given his time in the program) or what a fumble might do to Tilfords confidence going forward. Running in a blow out against NAU or UTEP is a heck of a lot different then running in a conference game that is a nutt cutter. Hey but thanks for being consistent Chief
Sure I am. From what was said out of camp to when I saw him....then his short time on the field this season. Brandon Leon is ahead of him and if you watch him, he misses blocks. So, I can deduce that missing blocks is not the issue. I can also deduce that ball safety is not the issue. I just take what the head ball coach said and the pill is easy to swallow. It's that simple. But, you can go on about Chief this and that. It's your prerogative. Enjoy the season.
Chief a lot of things get said in camp and you saw him in garbage minutes. I'm not positive and I honestly didn't check but I'm thinking he didn't carry the ball in our two losses. Those were close games that we were in til pretty much the bitter end. Since you don't see him in practice and from seeing him in garbage minutes you're making the grand assumption he's ready to play? To me its just more trolling on your part, looking for something negative to hang RR with. You can make up any pill you want and swallow it and you obviously do. LOL But that's why you're so entertaining to me. I'm going to make a different pill and swallow it. I think Tilford told RR he didn't want to redshirt even if he couldn't play a lot at RB. RR on the other hand thought well heck, why not, this kid isn't ready to start at RB yet but he's going to be so good he'll never stay four years anyway so I'll put him on special teams this year and let him play. That's my pill and it makes as much sense as yours. LOL
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 10:10 am
by chiefzona
tgrumpy2 wrote:
chiefzona wrote:
azcat49 wrote:Haha, of course you know that the coaches are confident in him that he can pick up those blitzes Fact is you don't and while I do believe his time will come I just don't think the coaches have the same confidence in him as they do Green (and rightfully so given his time in the program) or what a fumble might do to Tilfords confidence going forward. Running in a blow out against NAU or UTEP is a heck of a lot different then running in a conference game that is a nutt cutter. Hey but thanks for being consistent Chief
Sure I am. From what was said out of camp to when I saw him....then his short time on the field this season. Brandon Leon is ahead of him and if you watch him, he misses blocks. So, I can deduce that missing blocks is not the issue. I can also deduce that ball safety is not the issue. I just take what the head ball coach said and the pill is easy to swallow. It's that simple. But, you can go on about Chief this and that. It's your prerogative. Enjoy the season.
Chief a lot of things get said in camp and you saw him in garbage minutes. I'm not positive and I honestly didn't check but I'm thinking he didn't carry the ball in our two losses. Those were close games that we were in til pretty much the bitter end. Since you don't see him in practice and from seeing him in garbage minutes you're making the grand assumption he's ready to play? To me its just more trolling on your part, looking for something negative to hang RR with. You can make up any pill you want and swallow it and you obviously do. LOL But that's why you're so entertaining to me. I'm going to make a different pill and swallow it. I think Tilford told RR he didn't want to redshirt even if he couldn't play a lot at RB. RR on the other hand thought well heck, why not, this kid isn't ready to start at RB yet but he's going to be so good he'll never stay four years anyway so I'll put him on special teams this year and let him play. That's my pill and it makes as much sense as yours. LOL
This isn’t a negative on RR. He said he is below Leon on the depth chart and that Tilford isn’t ready. He said he’s gonna be a good one though. There you have it. We all wanted Tate over Dawkins and eventually we all got it. Those in Tilford’s camp will one day get to see him start and or play. Everything in life and in football is cyclical. Patience is the key. It’s RR’s team. Tilford will play at RB when RR sees fit. The trolling statement is funny. It’s a statement that requires zero thinking. A fire and forget statement if you will. Enjoy the season.
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 10:54 am
by wyo-cat
Tilford will have a great career here, we all have to be patient. It's a big change from HS to D1, I'd rather see slower development than throwing him in when he's not quite ready. I'm hopeful that we see more of him this season, because he's a great talent. Time will tell.
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 11:07 am
by azcat49
Most coaches do reward kids who have been in there program and have been invested. Not unusual. Tilford will have his time. Good coaches put kids in position to succeed to build confidence. The last thing Tilford would need would be to miss an assignment on a blitz or heaven forbid, get stripped. He would lose some confidence. Sometimes the best need to be brought along slowly
Re: 33 Nathan Tilford
Posted: Tue Oct 24, 2017 11:21 am
by ChooChooCat
I think it has to do much more with being able to effectively block for Tate than his ability as a runner.
