Isaac TeSlaa pulled 'cheesy' move by wearing custom Lions jersey to pre-draft visit

Lions Draft Michigan Native, Fanboy Isaac TeSlaa

Third-Round Pick Wears Custom Jersey to Pre-Draft Meeting

Wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa's NFL dream became reality when the Detroit Lions selected him in the third round of the 2025 NFL draft. The Arkansas product, a Michigan native, grew up as a dedicated Lions fan, making his selection by the team all the more special. While many analysts didn't predict TeSlaa would be drafted at that position, the Lions clearly saw something in him after his impressive performance during pre-draft evaluations.

One memorable moment from the pre-draft process involved TeSlaa wearing a custom Lions jersey with his name on the back to a meeting with Detroit. General Manager Brad Holmes, while jokingly calling the move "cheesy," revealed he was impressed by TeSlaa's genuine fandom.

“I thought he just did a cheesy move, just some fanboy stuff, and I was like, 'Come on, he didn't put a Lions jersey on.' But no, he said, 'No, I've had this since the eighth grade. What better time to wear it than now?'" Holmes said. "And so, I really respected that. But he truly grew up as a Lions fan through and through. But obviously that is not why we were excited to go up there and pick him.”

TeSlaa concluded his final collegiate season at Arkansas with 28 receptions for 545 yards and three touchdowns. Now facing a crowded wide receiver room in Detroit, which includes established stars Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Tim Patrick, TeSlaa will compete for a reserve role against veterans like Kalif Raymond and rookie Dominic Lovett.