The Top Safety In Illinois: Messiah Tilson

Messiah Tilson is a 4 Star recruit who plays Safety at Guilford High School. Tilson is ranked as the 403rd best recruit in the nation and is ranked as a top 40 Safety in the nation as well. In addition, Tilson is listed as a top 15 recruit in the state of Illinois and is listed as the #1 Safety in the state of Illinois. He is committed to play at Kentucky.

Who are some role models in your life?
My mom, dad, and my brothers. They’ve always been there for me, and they push me to be my best on and off the field.

What artists do you listen to pregame to get hyped up?
NBA YoungBoy, Screwly G, Lil Baby, Raq Baby, and YFG Fatso. That mix gets me in the right mindset to go out and compete.

What are the strengths of your game?
My speed, length, and instincts stand out. I can cover the field, hit hard, and make plays all over. My versatility and feel for the game are what set me apart.

What is your favorite memory of your career?
Beating a team by 40 points when most people had us picked to lose. That one felt personal, and it showed what we were really about.

Who is the best player you’ve ever played with or against?
The best I’ve played with would be either James Benson or Keysan Taylor—both dudes can flat-out play.

What advice would you give to an aspiring D1 athlete?
Keep working, no matter what. The grind gets tough, but if you stay consistent, the results will come.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Japan. The culture, the scenery—everything about it seems interesting to me.

How old were you when you fell in love with the game?
I fell in love with football around age 5. Ever since then, I’ve been all in.

If you could meet one sports hero, who would it be?
Deion Sanders. He’s the standard at DB and someone I’ve always looked up to.

What is your favorite sports moment as a fan?
Watching the Cavaliers come back in the Finals against the Warriors.