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Tyree Gillespie came into the 2020 season as a late bloomer, and a probable UDFA but managed to find a way to shoot up draft boards with a good pro day showing and displaying enough versatility to entice teams to look at him in the mid-rounds. At this point in the draft, some may even consider him a steal. I know this Missouri fan would. And the Las Vegas Raiders couldn’t pass him up in the 4th round.
Over the course of his career at Mizzou, Gillespie became a staple at safety and was not just solid in coverage, but also proved that he was more than willing to mix it up and make tackles as well. I think the more impressive aspect is how athletic he has made himself in his time at Mizzou.
Here’s some reaction:
Viva Las Vegas, @PutReekIn!#MizzouMade pic.twitter.com/8jgKkoQXzv
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) May 1, 2021
The Raiders traded up from No. 162 to No. 143 to draft Mizzou safety Tyree Gillespie. He was a box safety in college who had his struggles in coverage, but showed impressive instincts and physicality. He's another option to backup Johnathan Abram and play special teams.
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) May 1, 2021
. @PutReekIn > first #Mizzou safety drafted since William Moore in 2009 (R2, P23, O55).#NFLDraft x #MizzouMade pic.twitter.com/rjQPoVGCje
— Mizzou Football (@MizzouFootball) May 1, 2021
Tough. Physical. Versatile.#RaiderNation x @MizzouFootball pic.twitter.com/0nhaA02ZdZ
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) May 1, 2021
Tyree was the 1,893rd player of the 2017 class and he never ran from the work he needed to do to become an NFL draft pick, and now he has realized his dream. Congratulations to you Tyree!