Former All-American, UFL rushing leader savors opportunity with Lions

Jacob Saylors says he’s happy the Tennessee Titans didn’t sign him after a recent workout with the team.

The former FCS All-American and UFL rushing leader was appreciative of another chance to try and make it to the NFL, but getting the call to join the Detroit Lions in training camp presented the ideal situation.

“I’ve had a couple stints in the NFL beforehand, and the biggest difference between here and those other experiences is that I’m getting the opportunity,” Saylors said Monday. "Whether I’m going in there, it’s not perfect, but they’re coaching me up, and that’s the biggest thing that I’m seeing here.“

Since rushing for 1,314 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior with East Tennessee State in 2022 and going undrafted, Saylors hasn’t stopped pursuing his dream of playing in the NFL.

Stints with the Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Cincinnati Bengals, and Cleveland Browns haven’t resulted in Saylors, 25, playing in a true NFL game, yet.

But after leading UFL running backs in rushing yards in 2024 and finishing second in 2025, Saylors is getting another shot at making the big leagues.

“(I want to show) that I can compete on this level. It’s not just the UFL. I feel like I’m confident in myself and I can compete on this level,” Saylors said. “I might not be the guy, but I’m a football player at the end of the day and I feel like there’s something they brought me here for a reason. I feel like there’s some role that I’m here to contribute and I feel like I can."

Saylors was signed on July 29, ahead of the Lions’ final practice before the Hall of Fame Game.

He was with his family when the call came in from the Lions and Saylors not only got to join a culture he admired but reunite with a former coach.

Lions offensive assistant Bruce Gradkowski was Saylors’ offensive coordinator with the UFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks in 2024, when Saylors averaged 4.9 yards per carry and led all running backs with 460 yards in nine games.

Getting to perfect his craft with a familiar face helping to guide him is something Saylors says he’s grateful for.

“It’s a comfortable feeling kind of having that safe space, if you will, with a coach. Having that unbiased feedback, somebody that you have that history with," Saylors said. “Even today, during practice just the excitement that he has whenever I do something good, and the way he’s able to coach me up if I do something bad."

Even though Saylors only got one practice in with the Lions before the first preseason game, he still got a pair of carries in the exhibition that he took for six yards.

After taking part in a few more practices, Saylors is prepared for whatever the coaches want to do with him in Friday’s matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.

He does believe that a larger role could be in store as the Lions continue to round out their 2025 roster.

Saylors knows he probably won’t be “the guy” for the Lions with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery holding down the top spots at running back.

Practicing alongside the duo and under running backs coach Tashard Choice has helped Saylors pick up the Lions’ offense quickly.

There are more familiar names for the Lions still competing for backup roles like veteran Craig Reynolds and last year’s fourth-round draft pick Sione Vaki.

But Saylors began popping in Monday’s practice, showing off a physicality and intensity that the Lions pride themselves on. He capped off a strong 11-on-11 session by powering in a touchdown.

The clock is already ticking on the preseason, but Saylors is focused on absorbing everything he can with an opportunity that means a lot to him.

“I’m feeling a great culture, a very competitive culture that I love to be a part of. I’m grateful to be here in a very talented backfield, very talented offense and coach, just learning the most I can,” Saylors said.

“My goal is to come out here every day and be better than I was the last day, and just grateful that I’m getting those opportunities out here on the practice field.”