Isaac TeSlaa made an impression on the Lions' brass and coaching staff by wearing the Detroit Lions jersey he's had since eighth grade during his pre-draft visit to the Meijer Performance Center. So it was little surreal for TeSlaa putting on his own Lions jersey and helmet for the start of rookie minicamp Friday.
"It feels great. No. 18," he said with a big grin when talking to the media following Friday's first practice of the weekend. "It's a surreal thing. It feels amazing. Obviously talking about me coming in on my visit wearing my custom jersey I got a few years ago, but it's much better to be wearing my own number with my name on the back."
Putting his own Lions jersey on made it real for TeSlaa, and now begins the work of proving he belongs.
The Lions moved up 30 spots in the third round to draft TeSlaa, a big-framed, speedy receiver out of Arkansas, who grew up in West Michigan (Hudsonville). The Lions think he can be an instant impact player.
TeSlaa played both outside and in the slot during Friday's first rookie minicamp practice, making his presence felt. His first catch was a sliding come-backer deep down the left sideline with a cornerback all over him. He was the favorite target of tryout quarterback Cole Snyder (Eastern Michigan) all afternoon, and it's easy to see why with his large catch radius and speed.
TeSlaa is no stranger to taking on a big jump in competition and proving he belongs. He started his college career at Division-II Hillsdale (Michigan) before ending in the SEC for the Razorbacks. That's certainly a big leap. The same goes from the FBS to the NFL level.
Right now TeSlaa is just trying to learn the playbook and the scheme. He's taking it one day at a time, but one thing he did say he wants to show pretty early on is his versatility.
"It's all about versatility," he said. "Playing special teams is another huge thing. Special teams, playing inside, playing outside, I'm making sure I learn the whole playbook, so it gives me the best opportunity to get on the field."
TeSlaa said he's an early fan of new offensive coordinator John Morton's offense and his potential to make plays within it.
"He was born to be a Lion," Lions assistant general manager Ray Agnew said of TeSlaa Friday morning before practice. "You talk about a tough, physical, competitive human being."
View photos from Day 1 of Detroit Lions rookie minicamp on Friday, May 9 2025 at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, Mich.
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Miles Frazier during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Tyleik Williams during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Miles Frazier during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Dan Jackson during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions center Leif Fautanu and Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Dan Jackson during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions run game coordinator/defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator John Morton during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Dan Jackson during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jakobie Keeney-James during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Miles Frazier during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 9, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Facing and trying to beat press coverage is probably going to be the biggest adjustment for TeSlaa as he's expected to play more outside in Detroit with All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown in the slot.
The most important thing he said he can show coaches this weekend and make sure it transfers over to the coming weeks when the rookies join the veterans for OTA practices is that he's dependable. It's really one of the most important traits a rookie can have early in their transition to the NFL.
"Just show I'm dependable," he said. "I'm smart. You can throw me out there and I'm going to make plays."
