Determined to Stick: Undrafted Rookie RB Anthony Tyus Aims to Prove He Belongs and Can’t Be Cut by the Lions
Anthony Tyus isn’t supposed to be here. That’s the message most undrafted free agents hear — unspoken, but constant. There’s no buzz, no spotlight, and certainly no guarantees. But Tyus, a powerful 6-foot, 220-pound running back out of Central Michigan, doesn’t see himself as just another camp body. For him, every rep with the Detroit Lions is a statement, and every day in Allen Park is an opportunity to do one thing: “Make sure they can’t get rid of me.”
The odds are long for players like Tyus. He knows that. The NFL is ruthless, and hundreds of talented players walk into training camps every year hoping for a sliver of opportunity. Most won’t get it. But Tyus isn’t betting against himself. Not now. Not after the journey he’s already taken to get this far.
Originally from Portage, Michigan, Tyus starred at Portage Northern High School, where he racked up accolades as one of the top running backs in the state. He committed to Northwestern out of high school, choosing the Big Ten over mid-major options. His time with the Wildcats, however, never unfolded the way he hoped. He saw limited carries and struggled to find a consistent role in the offense. In 2023, he transferred to Central Michigan for a fresh start.
That move changed everything.
With the Chippewas, Tyus finally found his rhythm. He emerged as a bruising, downhill runner who could also catch passes out of the backfield and block in pass protection — a rare trait for a college back. Scouts noticed. While he didn’t receive an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine, Tyus impressed in his pro day, posting solid numbers across the board and demonstrating quick feet for a back his size.
Still, draft weekend came and went without his name being called. For many, that would be devastating. For Tyus, it was fuel.
“Of course I wanted to hear my name,” Tyus said. “That’s every player’s dream. But not getting drafted doesn’t define me. It just means I’ve got to work even harder to make sure they see me.”
That determination caught the attention of the Detroit Lions, who wasted little time in calling Tyus after the draft. The Lions, who boast one of the NFL’s most physical offenses and a culture rooted in grit and resilience, saw something in the hometown back that aligned with their identity.
“He runs angry,” said one Lions scout. “He’s a load to bring down. We love guys who don’t shy away from contact — and that’s Anthony.”
While the Lions return established backs in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, and recently added depth through the draft and free agency, head coach Dan Campbell has made it clear that competition will determine who earns a roster spot.
“There’s no such thing as too many good football players,” Campbell said during rookie minicamp. “We want guys who will fight for it every day. That’s how we build depth, that’s how we build a team.”
Tyus is taking that message to heart. During early workouts, he’s approached every drill with urgency, seeking to maximize each chance to impress the coaching staff. Whether it’s staying after practice to refine his footwork, jumping into special teams reps, or bringing energy to team meetings, Tyus is doing the little things that undrafted rookies must do to get noticed.
“I know where I stand,” Tyus admitted. “Nothing is promised, and I’ve got to earn everything. But that’s how I like it. I’m not asking for anything to be handed to me.”
His mindset resonates with teammates, too. Veteran running back David Montgomery spoke highly of Tyus’ work ethic, noting the rookie’s willingness to ask questions and absorb coaching.
“He’s hungry,” Montgomery said. “You can see it in how he moves and how he listens. A lot of young guys come in and just go through the motions. Not him. He’s trying to soak up everything.”
That hunger is what separates long shots from real contenders. The Lions have been down this road before — with success. Just last year, linebacker Khalil Dorsey, another undrafted player, fought his way onto the 53-man roster and became a key contributor on special teams. The year before that, it was cornerback Jerry Jacobs, who now holds a starting role.
That blueprint is not lost on Tyus. He knows special teams could be his way in.
“If I have to make every tackle on kickoff coverage to get on this team, then that’s what I’m going to do,” he said. “Running backs have to do it all. I can run, I can catch, I can block — and I can cover kicks. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
The “whatever it takes” mantra fits perfectly with what Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes have built in Detroit. The Lions’ resurgence over the past two seasons hasn’t been fueled solely by stars like Aidan Hutchinson or Jared Goff. It’s been the unsung contributors, the gritty depth pieces, and the practice squad warriors who step up when called upon. Tyus hopes to be one of those.
The road won’t be easy. NFL rosters are notoriously difficult to crack, especially at running back. The position is saturated with talent, and the shelf life for ball carriers is short. Every team is looking for versatility and value — and Tyus has to show he brings both.
But for now, he’s not thinking about the numbers. He’s thinking about today. About stacking one good practice on top of another. About building trust with the coaching staff. About making it impossible for the Lions to let him go.
“You’ve got to force them to keep you,” Tyus said. “You’ve got to make it so they can’t imagine the team without you. That’s what I’m trying to do.”
He has no illusions. There are no guarantees. But that doesn’t bother him.
“All I need is a shot,” he said. “And I’ve got it. I’m in the building. Now it’s up to me to show them that they made the right call.”
And so, every morning, Anthony Tyus walks into the Lions facility as a man on a mission. He tapes his ankles, laces up his cleats, and takes the field not as a forgotten prospect or a low-risk gamble, but as a competitor who refuses to be overlooked.
There are no shortcuts. There’s only the grind. And for Anthony Tyus, that grind might just be the thing that turns doubt into belief — and a long shot into a Detroit Lion.
