Isaac TeSlaa, a native of Hudsonville, and the Detroit Lions start rookie minicamp.

The NFL dream is alive and well in Detroit, where rookie minicamp has officially begun, bringing in fresh faces filled with ambition, talent, and something to prove. Among them is Isaac TeSlaa, a name that might not have dominated headlines during the NFL Draft but is already turning heads as the undrafted wide receiver out of Hudsonville, Michigan, begins his pursuit of a roster spot with the Detroit Lions.

This is more than just a homecoming story. It’s about resilience, relentless work ethic, and an underdog’s rise from Division II football to the grandest stage in the sport. As the Lions take their first steps toward preparing the next generation of stars, TeSlaa’s journey offers a glimpse into what makes this team — and this player — so compelling.

Isaac TeSlaa’s path to the NFL was anything but traditional. Born and raised in Hudsonville, Michigan — a city located just outside of Grand Rapids — TeSlaa didn’t take the highly publicized recruiting route or receive major scholarship offers coming out of high school. Instead, he began his collegiate career at the Division II level, playing for the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

There, TeSlaa steadily developed into one of the most explosive and productive receivers in D-II football. His 2022 season was particularly eye-catching: 1,325 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns, and a string of acrobatic catches that showcased his NFL-caliber hands and body control. His size — 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds — only added to the intrigue.

“I always knew I had the talent,” TeSlaa said during his introductory press availability at rookie minicamp. “I just needed a shot. I needed a place that believed in me.”

Recognizing he had outgrown the Division II ranks, TeSlaa transferred to Arkansas for his final college season. The jump from Division II to SEC football was significant, but TeSlaa proved he could compete at the Power Five level. Though his production wasn’t gaudy in Fayetteville — 250 receiving yards and two touchdowns — scouts noticed how quickly he adapted to the speed and physicality of the game.

More importantly, he showed he could block, run crisp routes, and contribute on special teams — three traits highly valued by NFL coaching staffs looking for versatility in their bottom-tier roster spots.

Detroit was one of the teams paying close attention. While TeSlaa didn’t hear his name called during the seven rounds of the NFL Draft, he was immediately contacted by the Lions to join their rookie camp as a priority free agent.

On Friday, the Lions opened the doors to their Allen Park training facility for rookie minicamp. Alongside first-round pick Terrion Arnold and second-round defensive lineman Kris Jenkins, TeSlaa arrived with the understanding that every rep, every catch, and every drill could mean the difference between earning a spot on the 90-man roster or being sent home.

TeSlaa has already made a strong first impression. During the opening session, he caught multiple passes during one-on-one and team drills, flashing the same dependable hands that made him a standout in college. He ran fluid routes, attacked the ball at its highest point, and didn’t shy away from contact — something Lions head coach Dan Campbell surely appreciates.

“Isaac’s a guy who brings a lot of toughness and smarts to the position,” Campbell said. “You can tell he’s been well-coached and that he wants to be coached even more. That’s the kind of guy who fits into what we’re building here.”

The Detroit Lions are a franchise on the rise. Fresh off a season that saw them win the NFC North and come within a whisker of reaching the Super Bowl, the Lions are no longer a rebuilding team — they are contenders. That makes the margin for error even smaller for undrafted rookies like TeSlaa. But it also means that those who do make the cut are battle-tested and truly earned their place.

For TeSlaa, his physical profile and football IQ could make him a valuable depth piece in the Lions’ receiver room. With Amon-Ra St. Brown locked in as the WR1 and Jameson Williams expected to take a big leap in Year 3, there’s room for developmental players who can contribute on special teams and be ready when their number is called.

“Isaac understands the grind,” Lions wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El said. “He’s not flashy — he’s just dependable. When you need a guy to move the chains or make a contested catch, he’s that guy.”

And for a team that preaches grit, humility, and blue-collar effort, TeSlaa may be a perfect cultural fit. He didn’t walk into the NFL with social media hype or NIL millions. He walked in with a duffel bag, a chip on his shoulder, and the determination to prove he belongs.

There’s a long lineage of small-school receivers who made good in the NFL — from Pierre Garçon to Adam Thielen to Wayne Chrebet. TeSlaa is aware of the odds, but he sees them as motivation rather than a deterrent.

“You hear it all the time, that guys from small schools don’t make it,” TeSlaa said. “But I’ve been proving people wrong my whole life. I don’t plan on stopping now.”

What he lacks in pedigree, he makes up for in preparation. Coaches have already noted TeSlaa’s detailed understanding of the playbook, his consistent effort during special teams drills, and his quick rapport with fellow undrafted quarterback Sam Hartman, who joined the Lions as a camp arm.

The Lions value players who don’t just want to wear the jersey — they want to earn it. TeSlaa appears to be doing exactly that.

Back in Hudsonville, the pride is palpable. TeSlaa’s high school coaches and mentors have followed every step of his journey and are now seeing one of their own take on the NFL.

“Isaac is what this town is all about,” said Hudsonville football coach Eric DeWitt. “Hard-working, humble, driven. He didn’t get the spotlight, but he kept showing up, kept grinding, and now he’s knocking on the door of the NFL. We couldn’t be prouder.”

The community has rallied behind him, with local businesses hanging banners and sports bars planning to host Lions watch parties if TeSlaa makes the team. For Hudsonville, he’s more than just a football player — he’s a symbol of what’s possible.

Rookie minicamp is just the beginning. If TeSlaa impresses during these initial sessions, he’ll be invited to join the Lions for organized team activities (OTAs) and later, full training camp this summer. That’s where the competition intensifies, and roster spots are truly won or lost.

With special teams likely being his path to the 53-man roster, TeSlaa is focusing heavily on coverage drills, blocking schemes, and field awareness. His size and speed combination could also make him an ideal gunner or red-zone target — two undervalued yet critical roles.

Should he survive the early cuts and continue to build trust with the coaching staff, he may earn a spot on the Lions’ practice squad — or better yet, their active roster.

“I’m not looking too far ahead,” TeSlaa said. “I’m just trying to win today. One rep, one catch, one assignment at a time. That’s all I can control.”

The NFL can be unforgiving for undrafted players, but it can also be the ultimate meritocracy. Isaac TeSlaa isn’t promised anything, but his work so far has given him a real shot.

The Lions are looking for players who reflect the identity of their franchise: tough, dependable, unselfish. If TeSlaa keeps doing what he’s doing, Detroit might just have found its next fan favorite — a homegrown kid from Hudsonville who clawed his way into the NFL through grit, grace, and the unshakable belief that he belonged.

And if he makes it, the entire state of Michigan will be watching — and cheering — every step of the way.