Detroit Lions rookie Tyleik Williams has apparently gained a very important fan in the teams' locker room so far this offseason: head coach Dan Campbell.
In ESPN's latest roundup of news on first round picks from training camp, reporter Eric Woodyard shared that Williams' intelligence and obvious hunger to get back on the field post-injury has caught the eye of Campbell.
"Knowing what we know and where he's at and what he can do, we like what he is. He is smart. He can get lined up. I know he's been grinding in the rehab, the training, so that's good," told Campbell to reporters about Williams as he progresses through rehab for his injury.
Williams, who has been nursing a few lower body injuries after a championship run with The Ohio State University this past year, hasn't been able to get many reps in on the defensive line. But, he's sure to be tapped for exactly that once he's back at 100% as Alim McNeil, the Lions' typical starting defensive tackle, is going to be out to begin the year with a torn ACL suffered in 2024.
Williams impressing even while off the field
Williams finished up his collegiate career with the Buckeyes, becoming one of their best run-stuffers and entrenching himself in their defensive line by 2023 as a starter. He had 136 tackles, 28 for loss, 11.5 sacks, and 10 pass breakups in four years at Ohio according to Joey Kaufman of the Columbus Dispatch.
With so many injuries plaguing the Lions down the stretch of last season - specifically, many involving starting defenders - it was a big point of emphasis to add a defender in the first round. They did just that by selecting Williams, who can provide much needed depth and starting snaps to a D-line that won't be fully recovered from a rough and tumble 2024 season.
"Williams says he has felt great vibes from the team," reported Woodyard in ESPN's first rounder update. That comes as no surprise considering Detroit, at least, got back their best defender on the line and potentially their best defender overall in Aidan Hutchinson. It's probably great to have someone like him leading the way for a player like Williams who is also managing some injury woes.
While he's not necessarily a pass rushing threat, he'll still be valuable to Hutchinson on the line as someone who can take some load off of him with run stuffing.
