For Isaac TeSlaa, hearing his name called by the Detroit Lions in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft was more than a professional milestone — it was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. The Hudsonville, Michigan native grew up rooting for the Lions, and now he gets the chance to wear the Honolulu Blue himself. After being selected 70th overall, TeSlaa couldn’t hide his emotions when speaking to reporters about the moment.
“I don’t know if I have the words right now. I’m still processing it,” TeSlaa said shortly after being picked. “Obviously, it’s been not only a dream to play in the NFL, but to play for my hometown team, the team I’ve rooted for since I was a baby — it’s just an incredible feeling.”
TeSlaa’s path to the NFL wasn’t the typical one. Originally a quarterback at Unity Christian High School, he transitioned to wide receiver at Division II Hillsdale College, where he put up impressive numbers. He later transferred to the University of Arkansas to prove himself against tougher SEC competition. His story of growth and perseverance makes his connection to Detroit even stronger.
When asked about his pre-draft meeting with the Lions, TeSlaa shared how surreal it felt. “The Lions visit was sweet, and it was good,” he said. “I’ve been a Lions fan my whole life, so to be able to go to that facility and meet with the coaches that I’ve been watching the past couple years was pretty cool.”
Detroit traded up to grab TeSlaa, a move that showed how highly they valued him. He is expected to initially contribute on special teams and compete for a role in the Lions’ wide receiver rotation. The 6’4″, 215-pound receiver combines size, speed, and athleticism, posting a 4.43-second 40-yard dash and a 39.5-inch vertical leap at the NFL Combine — numbers that helped him achieve an elite 9.97 Relative Athletic Score (RAS).
TeSlaa also talked about the opportunity to learn from the Lions’ established receiving corps. “Man, I’m pumped,” he said. “There’s so many different skill sets in that room — guys like Amon-Ra [St. Brown], Jameson [Williams] — just being able to learn from all of them, soak in everything I can, and at the same time, bring something new to the room.”
While TeSlaa recognizes he still has work to do, his mindset is already locked in. “I’m just ready to go to work,” he emphasized. “Get to the facility, meet the guys, and start putting the work in. I know nothing is given at this level, everything’s earned. That’s what I plan to do — earn my spot.”
For Isaac TeSlaa, this draft moment wasn’t just the next chapter of his football journey — it was a homecoming, a dream realized, and the start of something even bigger with the Detroit Lions.
