Who is Tyleik Williams, Detroit Lions' first-round pick in 2025 NFL draft?
The Detroit Lions selected defensive tackle Tyleik Williams as the 28th pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
The Virginia native attended Ohio State University, where he earned third-team All-Big Ten honors. Williams started 13 games in the 2024 season for the Buckeyes, who recently won the national championship.
At Ohio State, Williams's career included 136 tackles, 27 tackles for losses totaling 97 yards, 11.5 quarterback sacks, 10 pass break-ups, and four quarterback hurries.
In his first press conference on Friday after getting drafted, Williams said he was told that the Lions could potentially pick him up. To prepare for the call, he made sure his phone was near him and not silent.
"I kept checking it and, you know, was nervous. When I got that call ... I don't even know how to describe it. The feeling you get, the rush you get of answering that call. I don't think nothing compares to it. It was a great feeling," he said.
Williams said one of the first people he met was defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, who was promoted after former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn took a job as head coach of the New York Jets. Sheppard joined Detroit's staff as outside linebackers coach in 2021 — the same year Dan Campbell was named head coach.
"Just met him and I already love him," Williams said. "He's a high-energy guy. He tells me how much he loves my game and how I play and how I can help the team. You need a guy like that in your corner, and I'm ready to get the playbook and just learn under him and how he coaches, how he runs his defense, and how I can help in a major way."
The Lions earned the 28th pick in the first round following their impressive 15-2 record in the 2024 season. The team needs to restructure its defensive line after being plagued with injuries, including Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeil.
The team struggled defensively to stay afloat in games and had to sign players from other teams' practice squads to fill the void. Hutchinson's 2024 season was cut short after he injured his left tibia in Week 6. McNeill suffered a torn right ACL towards the end of last season.
