IT #18

Isaac TeSlaa

Wide Receiver · Arkansas

A Division II star turned Power Four transfer who was Lions GM Brad Holmes' favorite receiver in the 2025 draft class.

Isaac TeSlaa grew up a Lions fan in Hudsonville, Michigan, and got the chance to play for his childhood team after Detroit traded up 32 spots to draft him. He turned heads at Hillsdale before proving himself against SEC competition at Arkansas, and he flashed real playmaking ability as a rookie in Detroit.

★ G-MAC Offensive Player of the Year (2022)

★ First-team All-G-MAC (2022)

★ 6 receiving touchdowns as a rookie in 2025

Path to the league

TeSlaa began his college career at Division II Hillsdale, where he broke out as a junior in 2022 with 68 catches for 1,325 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning conference offensive player of the year honors. He transferred to Arkansas for his final two seasons, and Detroit traded up in the third round to select him 70th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, sending two future third-round picks in the deal.

Career highlights

At Hillsdale, TeSlaa earned first-team All-G-MAC and honorable mention All-American recognition in 2022. Over his two seasons at Arkansas, he caught 62 passes for 897 yards and five touchdowns without being credited with a single drop, while testing at 6-foot-3, 214 pounds with a 4.43-second 40-yard dash.

2025 season recap

TeSlaa appeared in 17 games as a rookie with three starts, catching 16 passes for 239 yards and six touchdowns for Detroit. His first career touchdown came on a one-handed, 13-yard grab against Green Bay.