QUENTIN — Marcus Tillman’s NFL journey begins this weekend inSt. Louis. The former Ole Miss defensive end and Franklin CountyHigh Bulldog has been invited to attend the St. Louis Rams RookieMini-Camp. He reports to St. Louis Thursday, in hopes of leavingwith a free-agent deal.

“I’m super excited about my opportunity to play football on thenext level,” said Tillman a Class of 2006 Franklin High graduate.”I’m really looking forward to it.”

Despite not getting drafted last week, the 6-foot-4, 260-poundTillman had a solid career at Ole Miss. Tillman starred four yearson the defensive line, amassing 120 solo tackles, two forcedfumbles, and intercepting two passes. He was named the ChuckyMullins Courage Award Winner last year before his senior season inOxford.

“Some lucky team is going to get a hard worker,” said Ole Miss headfootball coach Houston Nutt. “He’s got a strong work ethic. He’sone I’m going to miss.”

Tillman was named a 2006 Freshman All-American by rivals.com. Hefollowed that with three more seasons with the Rebels playingdefensive tackle and end. Tillman also has an invitation from theSuper Bowl winning New Orleans Saints to attend their rookiemini-camp if the Rams don’t offer him a contract.

“I’m ready to get started,” added Tillman. “My goal is to play inthe NFL.”

Last year Franklin County native Jasper O’Quinn received a rookiecamp invite with the Minnesota Vikings, before signing an ArenaLeague contract with the Milwaukee Iron.

Franklin County native Greg Briggs is the only Bulldog to ever playin the NFL. Briggs was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 5thround in 1992 out of Arkansas Pine-Bluff. He was a member of theCowboys 1995 Super Bowl championship team.