Detroit Lions Linebackers Coach Kelvin Sheppard Tells Rookie Tyleik Williams ‘You’re My Guy’ in Emotional Draft Moment
When the Detroit Lions selected Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams with the No. 61 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the moment was more than just a name being called — it was a culmination of a bond already forming behind the scenes. Shortly after the pick was announced, Lions linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard had just four words for the newest addition to Detroit’s defensive front: “You’re my guy, man.” Those words, while simple, carried the emotional weight of trust, belief, and a shared vision between coach and player — a sign that the Lions see something special in Williams beyond just his imposing physical tools.
Williams, a 6-foot-3, 320-pound powerhouse out of Ohio State, was a disruptive force in the Big Ten throughout his career. While many expected him to be drafted earlier, he slipped into the late second round, where Detroit made the move to grab him — a decision that drew praise from analysts and fans alike. But to Sheppard, this wasn’t about value or optics. It was about conviction. “We’ve watched the film, we’ve seen the flashes, and we know what he can become,” Sheppard later told reporters. “This isn’t just about scheme fit. This is about culture. Tyleik is our kind of player.”
The Lions have been building something unique under head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes — a program built on grit, player development, and character. Their 2025 draft class reflects that philosophy once again. But it was Sheppard’s moment with Williams that most clearly captured the heart of the franchise’s direction. When Sheppard looked Williams in the eyes and told him “you’re my guy,” it echoed the Lions’ entire approach to football. It was about identifying people they believe in, not just athletes who check the measurables.
Tyleik Williams was emotional when he received the call. In an era where the draft can sometimes feel cold and businesslike, the moment between player and coach was refreshingly human. “That meant the world to me,” Williams said when asked about Sheppard’s message. “To hear that from a coach — to know he believes in me, really believes in me — it fuels me in a way that’s hard to explain.” Williams added that Detroit felt like the right place for him all along and that he had a great meeting with the staff during the pre-draft process.
That meeting apparently left a strong impression on Sheppard as well. Known for his intensity and for being a hands-on, player-first coach, Sheppard is widely respected in NFL circles as someone who gets the most out of his players. His connection with Williams wasn’t just about potential on the field — it was about a shared mentality. “Tyleik plays with that dog in him,” Sheppard said. “He doesn’t just want to make plays — he wants to dominate the guy in front of him. That’s what we want in Detroit.”
Williams’ path to the NFL wasn’t always smooth. Coming out of high school, he had to work his way into the Ohio State rotation and battle through inconsistency. But by his junior season, he’d emerged as a leader on the Buckeyes’ defensive line, earning All-Big Ten honors and catching the attention of NFL scouts. Still, some teams were hesitant, pointing to a lack of elite production or conditioning concerns. The Lions weren’t deterred. Instead, they saw a raw talent with a high ceiling and the perfect personality for their locker room.
“Look, there’s no perfect player,” Sheppard said. “But what you want is someone who’s coachable, who works his tail off, and who wants to be great. Tyleik’s got all of that. And we’ve got the right environment to bring that out of him.” The Lions believe Williams can be a game-changer up front, pairing with Alim McNeill to form a young, powerful interior defensive line. That duo, along with Aidan Hutchinson off the edge, gives Detroit a chance to build one of the NFL’s most formidable fronts.
It also fits the larger vision for the defense — one that continues to evolve under defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. The Lions made strides in 2024, especially in run defense, but lacked consistent interior pass rush. Williams, with his explosive first step and massive frame, offers a chance to close that gap. “We’re not asking him to come in and be Aaron Donald,” Glenn said. “We’re asking him to be Tyleik Williams — and if he does that, we’re going to be just fine.”
Williams knows he still has work to do. He’s already begun training with Detroit’s strength staff and says he’s committed to refining his body and technique. He also said he’s eager to learn from veterans like DJ Reader, who signed with Detroit in free agency to provide leadership and toughness in the trenches. “I’m coming in humble,” Williams said. “But I’m also coming in hungry. I know what I can do. I know what I want to be. I want to be a part of something special here.”
That mindset resonates with Sheppard and the rest of the Lions’ staff. They’ve consistently preached the importance of “buying in” — and from everything they’ve seen, Williams is all-in already. “When you get a kid who wants it this bad and is willing to put the work in, it’s hard not to get excited,” Sheppard said. “He’s going to be a tone-setter for us. Maybe not right away, but when it clicks — and it will — look out.”
The city of Detroit has long embraced players who bring their lunch pail to work and embody toughness. That’s why Tyleik Williams may fit in quicker than most rookies. He’s not flashy. He’s not chasing headlines. He just wants to make his team better. In that way, he already feels like a Lion. “I’ve watched this team grow from the outside,” Williams said. “Now I’m here, and I want to help push us to the next level. We’re not satisfied with just being good. We want to be great.”
The Lions believe they can reach that level, especially with pieces like Williams in place. But what makes this story more compelling is the sincerity with which Sheppard delivered his message. It wasn’t about hype. It wasn’t a sales pitch. It was a real moment between a coach and a player — one who hadn’t even taken a single snap in the NFL yet. That kind of authenticity is rare, and it’s a big part of what has made the Lions such a compelling team to watch in recent years.
It’s also a sign of the culture Campbell and his staff have built. Players are not just expected to perform — they’re expected to care. And the coaches? They care right back. “Football is about people,” Campbell said on draft night. “If you don’t have the right people, the rest doesn’t matter. We think Tyleik is the right kind of person and the right kind of football player.”
As rookie minicamp kicks off and training camp looms on the horizon, all eyes will be on Tyleik Williams to see how quickly he can make the leap. But in a league obsessed with instant results, the Lions are taking a long view. They believe in their process. They believe in their culture. And, most importantly, they believe in Tyleik Williams.
“You’re my guy” may seem like a simple phrase, but for Kelvin Sheppard and the Detroit Lions, it’s a declaration of intent. They’re betting on a young man who fits their mold and shares their values. And if Williams lives up to his promise, it will be a moment they both look back on as the start of something special.
