Skyler Gill-Howard
DL
#50
Experience: R
Height: 6-0
Age: 23
Weight: 280 lbs
College: Texas Tech
Preseason
| WK | Game Date | OPP | RESULT | Total | Solo | AST | SCK | SFTY | PDEF | INT | YDS | AVG | LNG | TDS | FF | FR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 08/29/2026 | @Colts | W 25 - 16 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 2 | 08/22/2026 | Commanders | W 17 - 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| 1 | 08/13/2026 | @Bengals | L 14 - 16 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Biography
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Selected by the Lions in the sixth round (205th overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft out of Texas Tech.
- First defensive player Detroit has drafted from Texas Tech since LB Ed Mooney in 1968.
COLLEGE
- Split his FBS career at Texas Tech (2025) and Northern Illinois (2022-24), compiling 88 career tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and one interception. Began his career at Upper Iowa (2021), appearing in four games and registering three tackles (two solo).
- 2025 (Texas Tech): Started the six games he played in, logging 13 tackles (nine solo), 2.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks.
- Logged a 55-yard pick-six vs. Kent State (9/6/25)
- Posted an 88.6 overall grade from PFF
- 2024 (Northern Illinois): Appeared in 12 games with one start, notching 51 tackles (27 solo), 8.0 tackles for a loss and 5.0 sacks.
- Third-Team All-MAC
- Burlsworth Trophy Nominee, given to the most outstanding football player in American who began his career as a Walk-On
- Ranked second on team in TFLs and was third in sacks
- Earned an 83.8 overall grade from PFF
- 2023 (Northern Illinois): Played in 12 games, finishing with 24 tackles (15 solo), 4.0 tackles for a loss and 1.0 sack.
- 2022 (Northern Illinois): Utilized a redshirt year.
- 2021 (Upper Iowa): Appeared in four games and registering three tackles (two solo).
PERSONAL
- Attended Greenfield (Wis.) High School
- Named All-Region and All-State in 2020 and 2021
- Selected as a first team All-Conference following each of his four preseasons
- Qualified for the state tournament in the 220-pound division and finished as the back-to-back Division I state runner-up as both a junior and senior