Isaac TeSlaa joins Detroit Lions as 70th pick in NFL draft

HUDSONVILLE, Mich. — In 2018, Isaac TeSlaa helped the Unity Christian Crusaders win a state championship in football against Portland at Ford Field. Now he’s returning to Detroit to begin his NFL career.

On Friday night, TeSlaa became the first football player in Unity Christian High School’s history to ever be drafted into the NFL when the Detroit Lions picked him 70th overall in the third round of this year’s draft.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes says TeSlaa showed up to his Lions top-30 visit in a Lions jersey he said he’s had since the eighth grade.

“He 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. We were excited to go out there and pick him because he’s big, he can run, he’s tough, he’s smart, he’s a hands catcher, and he blocks and he plays special teams, and that’s why we’re excited to go get him,” Holmes said.

TeSlaa was largely overlooked by college scouts coming out of high school. He ended up committing to Division II Hillsdale College before transferring to Arkansas.

“[Getting drafted] was always a dream of mine since I was a kid, and for me, I just never let that fall through, no matter my situation. I started off at D-2 and that’s not a great pipeline to go to the NFL, and then even at Arkansas, I had some inconsistent games in season. It’s just about how you present yourself and how you go to work every single day that coaches really take note to,” TeSlaa said during an interview with 13 ON YOUR SIDE this week at Unity Christian High School.

The 6’4″ wide receiver knew he wasn’t going to be a first or second round pick, and he says he knows he’ll have to prove himself every day.

“People always have a “why” for why they play the game of football, and for me, it’s just about the support system I had back over here, but especially my parents, my family, my friends, just for every everyone who supported me up to this point,” TeSlaa said.

“That’s why I do it. They’re the only reason I’m to this point. And of course, you know, I’m a man of faith, so that really just is a big motivator for me.”