In a notable stride for Unity Christian High School and the heartstrings of die-hard Detroit faithfuls, Isaac TeSlaa has officially been drafted by the Detroit Lions. According to WZZM13, TeSlaa was picked 70th overall in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, marking him as the first player from his high school to enter the league. At the draft pick, wearing what he claimed was a Lions jersey from his eighth-grade years, TeSlaa's commitment to the team he grew up loving became visibly apparent.
Showing up his roots, the native athlete's journey through Division II Hillsdale College and then to the University of Arkansas, as well as his impressive physical capabilities, positioned him as a promising addition for Detroit. During the NFL Scouting Combine, TeSlaa measured up with a 4.43-second 40-yard dash and a Relative Athletic Score of 9.97 out of 10, placing him 11th among 3,441 wide receivers tested since 1997, WOODTV reports.
The Lions evidently saw the value in TeSlaa, trading up their draft position to secure him. They exchanged two additional third round picks from next year's draft with the Jacksonville Jaguars, climbing from No. 102 to No. 70, as detailed in the same article by WOODTV. The trade also saw the Lions receive a sixth-round pick for this year and the upcoming year from the Jaguars. TeSlaa's draft comes as the Lions' third pick of the 2025 Draft, having previously traded to pick Georgia right guard Tate Ratledge at No. 57 and taking Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams in the first round.
TeSlaa's high school quarterback roots have translated into his wide receiver role through hard work and dedication, said his father. Working drills set up in the backyard with his dad, himself a former wide receiver at Hillsdale, played a pivotal role in developing Isaac's skills that caught the Lions' eye. "We kind of knew that he was probably built more for being a wide receiver than a quarterback just coming from the Wing-T," Mark TeSlaa told WOODTV. In his senior year with Arkansas, TeSlaa notched 546 yards and three touchdowns with an impressive 19.5-yard average per catch, reinforcing his draft desirability, FOX 17 highlighted.
Throughout his journey, TeSlaa has maintained perspective on his career and the effort it demands. "It’s just about how you present yourself and how you go to work every single day that coaches really take note to," he told WZZM13. TeSlaa's character, combined with his on-field performance and local ties, made him a compelling draft choice for the Lions, as they look to build a competitive team that connects with Detroit fans on more than just a game level.
