Detroit Lions Rookies meet with the media | 2025 Rookie Minicamp

Detroit Lions Rookies meet with the media | 2025 Rookie Minicamp

Well, you obviously didn’t practice much today, so what prompted that? I was just uh it’s a plan that got me going on right now. It’s a long season. I just came off a long season, so it was just being smart. Something I’m sorry, like pro day for getting through. I had a little fall, but I’m I’m all healed from that. It’s just just being smart so I can, you know, got a season to play. I just came off a long season, so just being smart with it. Just first impressions of obviously stepping out here at this level, putting that helmet on that jersey and just take us through that. Uh, I mean it’s great vibes, great people, great organization. Um, it’s bunch of great athletes out here. So, it’s definitely more competitive. Um, it’s faster. So, you know, it’s going to be a learning process for everyone here. So, but it was a good day. One of the most surprising things politics or anything that’s happened to you since surprising thing John Legend followed me. Yeah. On Instagram and I was like, “Wow.” He got like I don’t know how many million followers and he he followed me. So it was pretty cool right after the after that. I ain’t DM him yet but eventually I’m you know reach out for some you know. Yeah. Just first impressions of of Shep and this defense and I know you didn’t practice much there but just the plan how they might use you how you might fit in and just uh Shep that’s you know high energy guy. I think he has a great defense here. Um I think I can help in a big way and I think he sees that as well. Um, like I said, I just got to, you know, get in the playbook, you know, his first day, so everything’s new, but should be great. Isaac was telling us, you know, they had a few Zoom, you know, playbook sort of meetings leading up to this. Did you have those? How many? And what was that like sort of, I guess, the install of that, you know, ahead of getting here this week? Yeah, I mean, it was basically just the the the basics of the, you know, the scheme. Um, just so I can, you know, get here and have like, you know, a little of a bit of a head start. So, but it was, you know, the 30 visit, same thing. Just, you know, the base things of the scheme that I need to learn. Um, but it’s all been well. Talk any of the back guys up front? You know, meeting any of those guys yet? Yeah, I’ve reached out to all of them. I’ve been texting all of them. Yeah. How those conversations gone? They excited? Yeah, they welcome you in. Um, you know, telling me it’s a lot of, you know, I got to get to work. You know, definitely it’s not going to be handed to me and, you know, I’m ready for that. So, it’s good. How’s it feel walking into a team with expectations like that? You feel like that help you take your game to the next level? Just know it’s a team that’s want to win right now. Uh yeah, I’m I’m ready for it. I kind of at Ohio State was kind of the same way. You know, we’re built around a great team and you know, I think I can help in a big way. Um so whatever they need me to do, I’m here. I’m going give it my best. What are those expectations like over four years to kind of carry that on a daily basis at Ohio State? Uh just coming in being a leader, you know, setting a standard. Um just being dominant. I think I I showed that over the years at Ohio State and I think I can, you know, translate to the NFL. So, just got to get in the playbook, keep my head down, work hard, you know, learn from the vets and hopefully it goes good. Is there a story behind 78, you know, the number at all? They’re hoping to get something else. Is that uh right now, you know, I try to get 91, but you know, it’s already taken, but hopefully I can, you know, get out of 78. I don’t want to. But for right now, it’s 78 and you know, I’m going to stick with it, make it look good. But right now, that’s my number. These are your first steps of your NFL career. What are you hoping to accomplish now that you finally put on a helmet, finally put on a jersey, but for the next couple of days before the camp before OTA? Uh, for me, I just want to, you know, be a great teammate and be a sponge. Um, like I said, there’s a bunch of vets in there. I just seeing DJ um inside. So, just getting to talk with them, you know, learn scheme, learn ball, learn how to play in the NFL is different from college. So, me, I’m just a sponge. I’m just trying to learn everything I can to give me an advantage, you know, to go play and, you know, help uh contribute. What’s been the biggest difference that you’ve observed so far just between college and the walkthrough speed? It’s basically a practice. It’s there, you know, it’s full speed. Not literally, but you know, college is literally walking. It’s it’s a different a different animal in the NFL definitely. So, that caught me off guard a little bit, but other than that, it’s it’s football at the end of the day. So, just got to be just be tough, be gritty, and you should be fine. I don’t know what the rest of your week holds, like how much it’ll do. But, you know, when you’re in a situation like you are where you’re maybe not taking every rep, what’s sort of the goal for you? Just immerse yourself in the playbook. Is there something else you try to accomplish? You know, this week before? Um, I’ll say just getting mental reps. Um, just like I said, it’s a new playbook. You got to learn. So, you know, I’m going to be in the film room with all the coaches, you know, just learning as much as I can so when I, you know, am, you know, on the field and, you know, getting more reps, um, you know, I can do it at a high level. just making sure I’m ready for when that time comes. Starting to feel more comfortable in the state up north. Uh, not yet. It’s growing. It’s growing. It’s growing on me, though. It’s growing on me, though. Uh, a lot of, you know, team up north fans are like following me and all that, you know, saying welcome and all that. So, it’s a little weird right now, but eventually it’ll be, you know, it’s home. So, eventually, you know, I might say it. I don’t know yet. I might say it. We saw all those stories about guys getting pranked during the draft. Did you have anything to happen to you or any of your buddies? Any prank calls? Yeah. Um, I think I did, but I didn’t I didn’t answer it cuz it wasn’t like an area code of the team that was picking. So, I didn’t I didn’t answer, but I think I did get one, but I didn’t. You just somebody else I just I looked at it cuz I was like But I just put it back down cuz I knew it was like some I was warned ahead of time that that might happen. So, just being smart. If I’m accurate, you’re a cat guy. Yes, I have two cats. Why? Uh my roommates’s freshman year had some cats and it kind of grew on me. But I recently just got a burner doodle. So I got a dog as well, Banks. I’m going to show him into the the media here soon. But just got another dog. Yeah. Does the dog and the cats get long? Say it again. Do the dog and the cats get longer? Yeah, they they actually like each other. They’re like running around chasing each other. It’s pretty cool. I didn’t know if I was going to like it at first, but uh it’s definitely grown in me. What the name? Banks. Banks. He’s uh He got a lot of colors. He’s pretty cool. So, it’s glad I got him for sure. You said they were gonna cross train you on the first day here. Just, you know, you walk out here taking some steps. How’d that go? What do you like about playing in the center there? Yeah. Um it’s it’s different from guard, of course, but I’m glad I’ve had prior experience to playing center. So, it’s nothing brand new to me. So, coming back out here getting in the feel of it, but as as far as center goes, you’re taking control of the offensive line. So, I kind of like that aspect of it. How do you I don’t know what what have they said about you know the cross training playing every different position and how kind of bring you into I mean right now I’m learning the basics learning the playbook trying to get everything down at every position I can get get put myself in the best spot to compete something about learning the the mental aspect of playing center versus um it’s just a lot more you got to see a lot more uh you got to notice safety rotation stuff like that know where the point’s going at guard most of the time you’re listening to the center tell you where to go and center like I said you’re telling and everybody else where to go. Finally on the grass now as a dream uh starting to feel real. Yeah, definitely a dream come true. It’s awesome to be out here. I couldn’t have asked for a better situation to step into with this team, this program. So, I’m I’m happy about it. It’s nice to have a lot of Georgia guys here with you. Yeah, that’s definitely a plus, too. I got Dom and Dan here. So, getting to see familiar faces I’ve seen for the last three, four, five years. So, it’s it’s awesome to have those guys around. Hey, when you and Miles train together, did you talk about the possibility of ending up on the same team? I mean, it was always always joked about like if somebody that we were trading with ended up on the same team and luckily enough, I’m here with Miles. So, it’s another familiar face that I’ve gotten to know pretty well be here with me. What’s been the biggest surprise about anything? Maybe the call text or anything since you got drafted. Um, probably the call that I got when I got drafted. Um, my TV was behind so I was like I thought I was getting messed with, but um but yeah, just probably the call to get drafted. That was that was like I said a dream come true. And now that dream is finally coming true. Wait a minute. So you had like paused it during the draft at some point or something. You were uh I’m not sure what happened, but I remember they said it was the Lions. I look up on the screen and they didn’t have a pick coming up. I was like, what’s going on? Did you you didn’t get pranked at all? No, I did not. What do you think of that whole thing? You know, n think it’s pretty stupid. I mean, it’s biggest biggest point in a kid’s life up to that point and people are messing with it. But said this is a dream come true to be on the field, but I mean this is kind of your first step into the NFL. What are your goals this week? I mean, you got on the grass for the first time today, but um right now I think my goals are just learn this playbook as best as possible and put myself in the best position to go into training camp and compete. What’s your early impressions of He’s awesome. Um guy knows a lot of football. He’s I’ve been here for a day, had a few meetings with him before this, but I’ve already learned so much from him and just the ability to have him on the field with me in the classroom with me just really progresses me a lot. I feel like And did you watch this offense much over the past couple years just as a player? Yeah. Um I watched I watched a good bit of uh our offensive line, just the mentality they play with, the style they play with, and of course, they’ve got really good players up there, so they’re good players to learn from in the first place. So I watched that film, and then the biggest thing that stuck out to me was the mentality of offensive line. They were finishing people all over the place. So to me, that’s a big part of the game. And being able to knowing I was a big fan of this offensive line coming in, it was it was a cool part to step into this. I feel like their play style suits and kind of mirror receivers. Yeah, definitely. Yeah. Have you cross with any of those guys? Um, a few here and there. Um, haven’t really met them. They’ve been out of the building, but I’m looking forward to meeting all of them. We hear a lot about how well uh Georgia prepares guys for the NFL. What’s What’s the playbook look like at this level compared to when you’re coming from? Um, it’s it’s still football to the same aspect as schemes and stuff, but there’s more in depth here, if that makes sense. uh you’re looking at more things, seeing more things. At in college, we had a pretty deep playbook, but this this is a deep playbook, but it’s got more aspects to it. What were those Georgia practices like? Uh they were physical, tough. They It was It was a grind out practice, but Coach Smart got us right and I think we had a lot of success under him and I think our practices had a lot to do with it. What’s it feel like to have your own Lions jersey to wear now? It feels great. Number 18. What was it? What was it like just to put that on, put the helmet on, be out here? Obviously, we know the story. You’ve been a fan of this franchise for a long, long time. Yeah, it’s a real It’s a surreal thing, man. It feels It feels amazing. Obviously, he was talking about me coming in on my visit wearing my custom jersey I got a few years ago. Um, but it’s much better, like you said, to be wearing my own number uh with my name on the back and just go out here and make plays and just learn the offense and just be a part of this. It’s awesome. This isn’t your first time taking a big step, going from Hillsdale to Arkansas. How can that transition help you at this next level here? Yeah, I’d say I mean, you’re going to go out there and just give it your best. You’re not going to win every rep. Um, it’s a whole another level to the to the ball game. So, just learning what works for you, uh, watching tape and just continually learning and improving off what you don’t do well and continue to build on what you do do well. Cross training is so huge here and just playing inside and outside. How important is that for you to learn both and and show that you can play both just to improve your options? Yeah, absolutely. It’s all about versatility. I’d say, you know, playing special teams is another huge thing. So, just special teams, playing inside, playing outside, I want to make sure I learn the whole playbook. So, uh, gives me the best opportunity to go out there on the on the field. What do you think of the offense? I love it so far. I mean, obviously very basic stuff day one, but um I’m excited. I’m excited. Going back to draft night, what was the your reaction, family’s reaction, you know, obviously enjoying the moment, for sure. Yeah, it was amazing. I’m sure you saw the video my mom posted. She’s all excited. She got a million some views on it and she got some followers, so she thinks since she’s an influencer now or something, but uh I mean it was amazing. Uh obviously, um the TV was a little delayed, so I didn’t even see the lines trade up and all a sudden I’m getting a call from a 313 number and I I just about passed out. I mean, I couldn’t I couldn’t hardly believe it. I stood up and everyone was still talking. I was like, “Everybody shut up.” And I picked up the call and he said, “This is um Brad Helms, GM with the Detroit Lions.” And I like I almost fell to the ground. So, I mean, it was very surreal. Um I don’t know if I remember a single word that anyone said to me after that point. I was just kind of in a days, but very excited. Uh very emotional time. Obviously, if I could have chosen any team, it’d be here. So, I’m just like I said, grateful to be here. Ragnar this morning, he was also saying like you’re born to be a Lion. Do you feel that? How do you feel when you hear him saying stuff like that? I mean, I’m right there with him. I think this is where I was born to be, and uh God’s blessed me with the opportunity to come out here and be a part of it. What’s the biggest thing you want to show this weekend? Uh just show um I’m dependable. Um I’m smart. I can you can throw me out there. Um and I’m going to make plays. You spoke to any of the receivers, any veterans at all. They talk to you about uh yeah reached out to me uh after the draft. He texted me. We texted back and forth a little bit and then I saw him um in the food court this morning. So, it’s cool. When you were at Hillsdale, what do you think your odds were of making it this? Yeah, I tried not to think too much in the future, kind of live in the present, obviously do everything I could to set myself up um to get to this level at some point. Obviously, um I was making plays out there and I knew I was talented, but you never know how it’s going to translate. So, for me, it was just focusing on the things I continually needed needed to improve on and then if it was the Lord’s will, I would end up here someday. Is there a moment where you were like, I know I can make it? when I when I was old enough to think I was always thinking I was going to be an NFL player. So a yearbook or something like you said you want to play for the Lions or something at some point. Yeah. Yeah. That was from my senior year. They did like some question thing. It was what professional team would you play for? And of course it was the Detroit Lions. So you played at Forward Field before. I mean how special would it be this time running out out of the tunnel, you know, with actual Lions? Yeah, I mean that that was a that was a dream in and it in and of itself uh to go out there and win a state championship in Fort Field. Uh little did I know I’d be back uh a little bit later wearing a Lions jersey. So I’m just ecstatic. Um grateful for the opportunity and excited to get out there. It’s one thing to get a text from Alman Ra, but to actually meet him and be eye to eye with him. I mean, what was that moment like today? Did he share any words of wisdom as a guy who was kind of mid to late round draft day now coming into this situation? Yeah, I’m sure we’ll talk more later. It was more of just like a how you doing in passing because you know we were sitting at different tables and um but you know that’s someone I’m really going to look up to. Obviously I love the way he plays the game. I love his process. So, I’d say everyone in the room, I just have so much to learn from and I’m just going to be a sponge. What’s your focus for a rookie mini camp? You know, first one out there, no pads. Like, what are you trying to do? What are you trying to prove about yourself? I’m just trying to compete and grow. Um, a lot of breaking bad hab not bad habits, but old habits, different ways of coaching and technique. So, I’m just trying to grow and learn the new ways um of the Lions and just the different techniques and and just different things can enhance my game. What are your impressions of Hank Freley? I know it’s early, but yeah. Unbelievable, coach. Honestly, like some of the we just had one practice and some of the pointers and some of the techniques that he taught me, I open up to it and I could like he explains why he’s teaching it. Like he gets that for the past four or five years, you did it a certain way, but he opens us up to new ways and honestly I feel like that’s definitely going to benefit me this season. What’s the mindset as you’re approaching camp and practicing with the veterans as they finally get out here? I would just say to learn from them. Um, as you know, as everybody knows, uh, the Lions offensive line is, uh, just a bunch of dogs, like just grit, nasty, tough, and I just like, um, I would model my play after that. Like I strive to be like that, and now I’m here. So, I just want to continue what they have built and, um, and help them grow as well. In terms of going up against NFL, do you allow yourself any grace in those first few practices in terms of getting used to how NFL players are? Not really. Um like at LSU we our unit was the bomb squad and no matter who we went against we went up against uh first rounders um starters in the league right now in 2022 and we the expectation is to dominate whoever you go against. So um I’m ready for the challenge and um I just look forward to it. It’s very early but after your first day what’s the level of competition like compared to what you’re facing in the SEC? Um about about the same but but less less error. everyone I feel like is gap sound, technique sound where you would see sometimes in the SEC they get out of their gaps. Both have great athletes, but I would say a lot a lot out here is very technical sound, very where they’re like right landmark is very technique based uh defensive line that we’re going against, but they’re they’re definitely pretty good. Cross training guys is something that’s common around here, different positions. Like when you’re just getting started, what are the biggest challenge of that and what do you kind of try to keep your focus on when maybe you’re at a spot that you’re usually not? I would just say uh technique. Um if you if you watch Senior Bowl um a lot of me I was at tackle and guard and I feel like the difference was like patience a lot of um at guard everything happens way quicker. Even at center everything happens real quicker but at tackle you have to you have to have a lot of more patience and just just more read and react than than uh start the fight. Um but here now I’m learning to switch up my sets um instead of going vertical angle um jump set just flash set just just have different sets at tackle. So, I feel like that’s definitely going to help me play uh tackle here as well. You did a lot of guards here practice and stuff. Did you rep tackle at all or Yes, sir. I was the um backup left and right tackle. So, like in film study, I would have to study um I would I was the starting right guard but the backup left and right tackle. So, I would have to uh study the player reels of like the D line, the defensive end and rushers, outside linebackers, as well as the interior D line. So, yeah. You came from a program that has a ton of guys that come into the NFL. How much does that help you prepare for this? I mean, my unit was a bunch of dogs in my opinion. Definitely. You got Will, Emry, and Delhi. Um, all four of us got drafted this year. And just playing next to those guys, I feel like helped me be accountable, helped me with my game, and just helped me uh dominate in in my role on that offensive line. You guys excited for one another? Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Definitely. Like, um, I watched Will um go to the Patriots, the fourth pick, and it was just a blessing cuz that’s what we talked about. We always talk about our dreams, goals, and aspirations, and just for for everything to come true. Um, my offensive line coach, Brad Davis, he was just happy for all of us. Um, that was always the mission to not just get to LSU, but to get to the next level and exceed at the next level. So, I feel like that’s we’re on the right track to do that. You trained with Tate in the offseason. Uh, what’s it like doing this together? N Tate’s my dog. Like, um, just learning to play together, being in the same room, like I feel like we both could push each other. um him playing center and guard, me playing guard and tackle. I feel like just just we built a relationship with uh Duke Mayweather and um O line masterminds in Frisco, and then now we’re just able to continue that bond and just grow together at the same time. How’ it feel to uh hit the grass for the first time? I mean, it’s it’s amazing. I mean, all glory to Jesus, man. He brought me here and I’m just so grateful, so honored to be here. It’s kind of like doesn’t feel real. It’s like I don’t want to leave the field, you know? So, but I I love it, you know? So, the coaching, the my teammates, you know, just the competitiveness, it’s it’s been great and I’m just looking forward to tomorrow and just take it day by day. It’s been two weeks since uh you were drafted, I guess. What What are these last two months been like for you in terms of preparation and just the mentality? I mean, just it took took it day by day, you know, just it was a process. It was a long the longest four months of my life. Do you say that? Uh, but I took it day by day and I just focused on each day what I need to get better at and I just followed the path and trusted God’s plan because I knew he has a plan for me and ended up one of like the best spot that the best team for me, the best coaching. I mean, I’m really really happy. So, what’s the biggest surprise? It could be anything since you got drafted. Like anything has been surprising. Any calls, text, anything that’s been a surprise? When I got to the facility, when I got to the facility, it’s like the food, the nutrition, the like the snack bar, you know? I’m just so grateful for everything. Um, it’s it’s awesome. It’s it’s just like, yeah, I can you can grab snack whenever you want. You can grab nutrition whenever you want. I mean, it’s this it’s a dream and it came true and I just I’m going to give it all all I got for my team. So, what’s what’s the best snack in the snack bar? Oh, I tried there’s uh there’s like the lobster mac and cheese. They have it in there. And I was like, “Wow.” I was like, “Wow, this is awesome.” And they have like hydration and they have like like beetroot and they have everything. And I just apple juice, orange juice, everything. Uh so I’m just so honored to be here. I’m just happy, man. I’m just going to give it all I got. Have you been able to get out around and see the city that much? No, not not much. I’m just focus on football right now and just I I heard there’s a lot of good chawa here, so I’m just going to go around definitely, but I’m just focusing on football right now. But I just want to go out. It’s so green. I love it. It’s my first time in Michigan. So, what areas of your game are you focused on as you prepare for your first year training camping? Just what specific facets of your game do you want to sharpen in the months ahead? Absolutely. I mean, my pass can always get better. where I can always get better in my technique, my hand placement, my get off, uh my games, my stunts, you know, just collaborate, my communication, just everything at football, you know, like I want to play special teams. I want to I want to do everything, you know, whatever my team needs me, I’ll be there. So, just getting better at like my technique, hand placement, get offs, watching the ball, communication, watching pre- snap movements, all that stuff, I need to get better at and I’m just taking it day by day. With your history in CrossFit, how much do you think that gives you an advantage coming to a camp like this where you’re around other rookies, but you’ve been training your body, maybe not preparing for football, but you’ve been training your body for as long as you have? Absolutely. Just the the nature of the competitiveness that always want to get better, that always want to push teammates that always like we work collectively and it’s not just individually. I work with team. I work I’m I’m a team guy, you know? I work with my D tackle, my nose, my other end. We work together to go get the quarterback or stop the run. So, this is the same with CrossFit, you know, just like my my teammate has to make like 50 50 snatches. I I take 25, he takes 25, pull-ups, muscle-ups, I like he takes 10, I take 10. So, we kind of like coordinate how we do it and get the best time possible in CrossFit. So, it helped me a lot with like especially with weight room, clean snatches, bench press. It got me stronger to play at this level. So, I’m really grateful. your first meetings with coaches, your first time out here, just your early assessment of why this team could fit into your personality and why the line man talking about grit. It’s the grittiest team that like, you know, just persevering when the hard ch hard challenges come and I’m that type of guy just like when great when obstacles comes, I’m going to rise to it. I’m not going to fall down, you know? So, I’m just looking forward to that. Like I I look for hardships like I I want to get better at stuff, you know? I want to because I don’t want to take the easy way out, you know? I want to earn everything. I don’t want nothing to be given to me. I want to earn everything. Everything have to be earned. You know, for much is given, much is required. And and they gave me so much. God gave me so much that I’m going to do my best to just give back to my teammates. Guys, time for two more, please. What was that first interaction with Dan Campbell, man? Kind of feels unreal, you know, like I’m going to keep my glove forever. I just like walked out of practice and I just shaked his hand. I’m like, coach, it’s me. But it’s awesome. No, he’s an awesome guy. I mean, I’m just looking forward to learn from him off the field and on the field. He’s an amazing coach. I mean, I couldn’t ask for a better team to be at, you know. Any reaction, guys? Any reaction back to Egypt, man? It’s being the first Egyptian. You’re talking about like culture and teams and people look out to me. Like, I get texts all the time that people just want to be like me, inspired to be like me. I’m just so grateful and so honored that Jesus put me in this position. I mean, I’m I’m going to give it all I got. So, just like what has these last two weeks been and now all of a sudden you’re here, you’re on the field, you got the helmet on, man. Just like what goes through your head when you wake up this morning? Yeah, I mean for me every day is a blessing. Uh especially this one, you know, finally finally here, finally in Detroit. Um and most importantly, I’m with the guys, you know, and uh just trying to wake up, you know, know that every everyday is a blessing and um you know, no nothing’s guaranteed and uh just coming out here and competing every day. What are your goals when you come to a camp like this? You know, it’s Yeah. learn everything, show off. What what do you try to do first and foremost? Yeah, I mean right now it’s just uh diving into the playbook. Um really trying to learn everything I can, you know, every little detail and just trying to mimic that through every meeting and walk through. Uh that’s been my focus right now and then uh whatever’s asked of me. Um you know what it doesn’t matter the role. Um defense, special teams. Uh just buying into that. You were out on the field with him a couple times today. Just first impressions of Tesla receiver obviously the 18 that you were Yeah. kind of facing a little bit there. Oh yeah. Tesla, he’s an incredible athlete. Um I had the chance to meet him at the Senior Bowl and uh yeah, so no surprise there. Um and then I know getting to know him, I can just already tell that he’s going to bring his best foot forward every day. Surprise you about being in the NFL? Uh uh like I said earlier, this is a dream come true. Uh, but I’m taking it day by day, you know, not taking anything for granted and just uh just continue to what I’ve continue to do what I’ve been doing uh my whole career and uh just compete my butt off. A lot made about your sort of special teams prowess, I guess. Yeah. Can you tell us about the interactions you’ve had with with Dave Fib, you know, before this and, you know, this weekend for a draft game before this week? I mean, biggest thing for me is just trying to be a sponge. Um, you know, he’s an incredible coach and I’m extremely excited to learn from him, you know, and everybody that he’s coached in the league and, uh, you know, I feel like at the end of the day, I can’t learn enough. So, uh, you know, I’m really looking forward to meeting with him more and, uh, just buying into my role. What do you think it is about you that makes you a special teams asset? Uh, just my competitiveness and, uh, you know, my, uh, desire to do anything for the team. Uh, that’s that’s been my goal throughout my whole career, whether it be college now, now in the league. Um, you know, my teammates are going to get uh the best of my ability every day and uh that’s how I’m coming out here. Uh, every unit. Yeah. You weren’t going to Yeah. How was that? Yeah. Uh, the biggest thing is I just wanted to be on the field and I just want to compete and uh being at Georgia, you know, I had the best I felt like I had the best chance to win. Uh, and you know, thankfully I’m at an incredible organizization now here with the Lions and and I have the exact same goal and uh cuz I just want to play football at the end of the day. Not even senior year when you were starting. Uh, yeah. So I I got it covered through NIL. So I got my school paid for then. So before that get NIL that covered or uh it was it was eventually eventually. Yeah. Yeah. Different world with NIL now. Hi. Hello. How’s it been to be out here with some familiar faces, man? All the Georgia guys. Uh, it’s great. You know what I’m saying? Uh, it makes uh coming into a new place like like you don’t have as much anxiety cuz you got guys here with you. I got some guys from Georgia. Also got some guys from Missou. Shout out my boy Inis and Wingo. So, this whole moment kind of come uh full circle. What does that say about the program? How much did they prepare you guys for this level to Georgia? I mean uh I would say it’s basically like a Georgia practice. Uh, only difference is, you know, you got different faces, different coaches, but uh, all in all, I feel like Georgia prepeted us the best they could. And thank you, Georgia. Shout out Georgia. What’s Scotty Montgomery been like as a position? Scotty funny. I like coach uh, uh, Scotty, though. I feel like he’s a very down to earth person. You know, he has multiple uh, relationships. He has one with you off the field and one with you when it’s time to uh, handle business. But as of right now, you know, I’m just like a sponge. I’m just, you know, taking in as much knowledge that I can from him. Just taking, you know, day by day. The funniest thing that Scotty’s done so far. Uh, what has Scotty done? Also, he asked us to introduce oursel and where we was from, and he tried to tell me where I was from, and I didn’t like that. Nah, but no, he was not right. So, he was like, “Where are are you from?” And I was like, “Bennis, Illinois.” And he was like, “I thought you from East St. Louis.” I said, “No, I attended East St. Louis and you’re interrupting my story.” So, yeah. Special teams. Special teams ability. I mean, you know, coaches have talked about that a little bit. Just walk us through how much you played. Gunner, Vice, return, anything like that. So, actually, uh, I didn’t play special teams until I got to Georgia, and that’s where I found like my value, actually, like my love in it. Feel like special teams just another way to be on the field and also another way to compete. Uh, I feel like it’s just like a one-on-one battle from the man across from you. It’s just you versus him. And u, I told them, you know, I’m willing to do whatever to get on the field. So, special teams. So, they put me on special teams. Do it to the best of my ability. Have fun. You know, in those one-on-one special teams battles, what do you feel like is is your best asset? Speed. Got to catch him. I know you said at the combine you guys allowed like something like 27 punt return yards total in the last two years. Shout out to my boy Aren Smith. Yeah, the Jets. Shout out my boy. How I mean, how did you guys accomplish that? Uh, honestly, it was really just hard work. Really, the big thing was probably communication. Just being on on the same page as the other 10 guys from you, knowing like what everybody assignment was, where they had to be. Uh, shout out to the greatest punter in the world. You know who you are. And, uh, just having, you know, everybody on the um, same page, you know. So, you um, shouted out in draft night, you know, pretty heartfelt comment there. I’m just wondering if you’ve heard from him, you know, what’s his excitement level to reconnect with him? Yeah, I seen Inish uh around the building. I almost cried, you know, he didn’t got so big. He didn’t grown up. But uh no, that was that was that was like a a great full circle moment, you know, cuz Inis really helped me when I got to Missou, you know, he was that big brother figure for me. And uh just to like come back, see him, you know, him basically being like another big another big brother for me just at a higher level with the highest level, you know, I can’t ask for nothing more than that. So, I appreciate him. You are reconnecting with another teammate here in Jackson, Jackson. Meeks, I’m just curious, you know, what are the lines? I forgot about Meeks. My bad. Meeks, don’t take that personal. What are the lines getting in in Jackson? Oh, you going to get, how can I say it? Like a guy that could do everything that could be anywhere. You can put them everywhere. Special teams, offense, uh, inside, outside, hold up, gunner, like wherever you put Jackson mix, you going to get the best out of. So I just feel like that they got a steal with uh with the Jackson Meeks and he going to do what he supposed to come he going to do what he’s supposed to do when when the time come. So got a steal. How do you balance leading one of the best teams in college football in receptions and I think touchdowns too last season to kind of having to start over in the NFL. Uh the first question that was a team effort. So without my team I couldn’t have did that without my overline, without my quarterback, my tight ends and my other receivers. you know, they help me uh accomplish uh that goal. And you said the second question, how do I like start over? I mean, basically, you know, you kind of start over at like every every level. You know, you you go from uh high school to college, you got to start over. It’s really uh just being a sponge and soaking up everything in in the room, knowing it’s okay not to know everything. And you know, guys have been here before you and you know, just finding a vet to you know, stick with J Mo Ara. So, uh, you know, just finding, you know, just finding somebody to to to stick with and just let them show you the ropes. You know, you going to it’s not going to be perfect. You know, you just got to accept that. You know, you the new guy on on the block and, you know, that’s okay. You know, everybody was a rookie at a point. So, you just got to come in just be a scrunch. So, yeah. You just referenced your old lineman Tate Ratage is obviously come here with some he over there doing an interview. Uh what are his teammates here going to learn about him that you already know? Uh Tate going to die for the uh quarterback. Nobody is going to touch. Matter of fact, my whole O line. I’m still getting to uh know them. So putting faces with names. But uh what they going to get out of tape is a hard worker. You know, to play O line or Dline at Georgia, you know, you got to be tough. So they going to get a tough uh a tough player person who going to listen, come in once again, be a sponge, and do his job to the best of his ability. So yeah, shout out T. When you hear people limit you to slot guy, how does that make you feel? True. It don’t really make me feel like nothing cuz you know half the time people who say you know they never play football so it don’t really you know bother me. No, it’s an adjustment level. You know everybody had to get adjusted. So that’s a challenge that I’m ready to uh uh take on and you know when the time come just going to do what I do. Does that motivate you at all? cuz I know you pride yourself on your physicality. That’s something that Brad mentioned when after you drafted you. Is that something that fuels you a little bit? Yeah. Um, you know, when people try to well when people critique me or they say something negative about me, you know, I don’t really look at it cuz I don’t really like pay attention to that stuff, you know. I’m just here cuz I love to play football and, you know, I get to do what I love. So when people speak negatively about me, that don’t really fase me. You know, I see it, but it don’t really fase me. Have you connected yet with Jan? I seen Aman Ra. I ain’t seen J Mo yet. So, where you at, J Mo? But n uh I’m excited for when the uh I’m excited for when the vets come back to, you know, hook up with all all those guys, you know what I mean? go out, you know, get, you know, get something to eat, get some catches, you know, just connect, you

Watch as the Detroit Lions rookies speak with the media at rookie minicamp.

0:00 – 6:17: Tyleik Williams
6:18 – 10:07: Tate Ratledge
10:08 – 14:04: Isaac TeSlaa
14:05 – 18:19: Miles Frazier
18:20 – 23:13: Ahmed Hassanein
23:14 – 26:14: Dan Jackson
26:15 – 33:17: Dominic Lovett

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