DETROIT – Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa opened up about his draft day experience during an appearance on the St. Brown Podcast with teammate Amon-Ra St. Brown and Equanimeous St. Brown.
When asked if he received any prank calls during the draft process, TeSlaa said, “No, thankfully no. That’s good.”
He admitted he was initially worried the call might be a prank. “I was a little worried when I first picked up the call that I was going to be a prank call and I was going to be devastated,” TeSlaa said.
Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa opened up about his draft day experience during an appearance on the St. Brown Podcast with teammate Amon-Ra St. Brown and Equanimeous St. Brown. (Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.)
TeSlaa was relieved when he realized the call was genuine.
“It was really Brad Holmes. It was really the Detroit area code. No, I would have been sick to my stomach,” he added.
The rookie’s candid reflection highlighted the emotional rollercoaster many prospects face on draft day, especially when their childhood favorite team is involved.
Draft Night
TeSlaa recalled the excitement of draft night.
“Getting drafted was probably the coolest night of my life,” said TeSlaa. “Getting that call, getting drafted to the team I’ve been watching since I was a kid. Surreal feeling.”
Wearing custom jersey to visit Lions
TeSlaa shared a fun story about showing up to his visit with the Lions wearing a custom jersey his friend had given him years ago.
“My buddy gave me it for Christmas like six years ago, a custom jersey with my name on the back with my high school number on it,” TeSlaa said. “I think they loved it. Maybe it was a little corny, but at the end of the day, it definitely worked.”
TeSlaa is from Hudsonville, on the west side of the state. He expressed excitement about staying close to home.
Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa opened up about his draft day experience during an appearance on the St. Brown Podcast with teammate Amon-Ra St. Brown and Equanimeous St. Brown. (Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.)
During the visits, teams can invite 30 players to come in and visit.
Growing up as a Michigan kid, TeSlaa had the typical Barry Sanders jersey and the team hoodie, but during his official visit, he wore his customized jersey with his name and number on the back of it, which Holmes said he thought the rookie was trying too hard to make a good impression, but had no option but to respect the hustle.
During the Lions’ pre-season Hall of Fame game against the Los Angeles Chargers, led by former Michigan Wolverines national championship head coach Jim Harbaugh, NBC showed TeSlaa wearing the jersey in the facility.
TeSlaa was drafted by the Lions with the No. 70th pick in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft.
He is a big slot receiver whose stock rose after his performance during Senior Bowl week.
With his massive body and super strength, TeSlaa is a mismatch nightmare for smaller defensive backs. He will be a reliable pass catcher for quarterback Jared Goff, whom Amon-Ra knows very well.
TeSlaa finished his collegiate career with 62 receptions for 896 yards and five touchdowns, and so far through three games, he’s caught eight receptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns.
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Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.