Roster of Detroit Lions 2025 Local Pro Day Invitees
The Detroit Lions’ 2025 Local Pro Day serves as a pivotal moment in the NFL’s scouting process, giving both college players and professional scouts an opportunity to showcase their talents and evaluate top prospects from regional colleges and universities. Pro Day is a crucial event that helps teams like the Lions identify potential draft picks or free agents for their roster. The Lions typically invite local prospects to participate in this event, giving athletes from Michigan and the surrounding regions a chance to demonstrate their athleticism, football IQ, and work ethic in front of the Lions’ coaching staff, general managers, and scouts.
This list of the 2025 Local Pro Day invitees represents a mix of promising collegiate players looking to make the leap to the NFL. While the players may come from a variety of universities and college programs, they all share the same goal: to impress the Lions and other NFL teams by performing well during drills and workouts that are designed to showcase their individual skills.
**Quarterbacks**
– **Jake Browning (University of Michigan)**
Jake Browning had an outstanding career at the University of Michigan, where he threw for over 3,000 yards in his final season. Known for his leadership and poise under pressure, Browning will look to prove that his accuracy and decision-making skills are NFL-ready. His ability to read defenses and deliver the ball with velocity and precision will be key in his Pro Day showcase.
– **Jordan Love (Michigan State University)**
Another intriguing quarterback prospect, Love has spent the last few years at Michigan State developing his deep-ball accuracy and field awareness. Love has the ideal size and arm strength to make him an NFL-caliber quarterback. His performance at Pro Day will focus on his mechanics, footwork, and ability to process the game quickly under pressure.
*Wide Receivers**
– **Quinn Smith (Central Michigan University)**
Quinn Smith emerged as one of the top wide receivers in the MAC conference. Known for his smooth route running and ability to create separation with explosive speed, Smith is a versatile receiver who excels in both short and long-range passes. His ability to gain yards after the catch and demonstrate reliability as a pass catcher makes him a potential sleeper pick in the upcoming draft.
– **Devante Parker (Western Michigan University)**
Devante Parker had a standout career at Western Michigan, earning multiple All-MAC honors. With impressive height and jump-ball ability, Parker can be a red-zone threat in the NFL. His Pro Day performance will likely highlight his vertical leap, speed, and hands.
**Running Backs**
– **Chris Johnson (Eastern Michigan University)**
Chris Johnson is a dynamic playmaker who has shown the ability to break tackles and make defenders miss. With his excellent vision, burst, and acceleration, Johnson projects as a potential NFL starter. His Pro Day drills will focus on showcasing his speed, ball-handling skills, and ability to excel as both a rusher and a pass-catcher out of the backfield.
– **Isaiah Thomas (University of Michigan)**
A power back with surprising agility, Isaiah Thomas impressed in his final college season. Thomas’s ability to grind out tough yards and take hits at the line of scrimmage will be critical at Pro Day, as he looks to prove that he can handle the physicality of the NFL.
### 4. **Tight Ends**
– **Lance Hall (Grand Valley State University)**
Lance Hall has drawn attention for his outstanding combination of size and athleticism. At 6’6” and 255 pounds, Hall has the potential to develop into a dual-threat tight end who can block effectively while also being a reliable target in the passing game. His Pro Day will focus on his route running, pass-catching ability, and overall athleticism.
**Offensive Linemen**
– **Ryan O’Donnell (University of Michigan)**
A highly regarded offensive tackle, Ryan O’Donnell is a mauler in the run game and a solid pass protector. His quickness off the line of scrimmage and his technique will be on display at the Local Pro Day, where he will be expected to show his agility and lateral movement against defensive linemen.
– **Eric Foster (Michigan State University)**
Foster is an experienced interior offensive lineman who has the potential to develop into a starter at the next level. Known for his strength and tenacity, Foster will look to showcase his footwork, hand placement, and ability to anchor against powerful pass rushers during the Pro Day.
**Defensive Players**
– **Tyler Johnson (University of Michigan)**
A standout linebacker, Tyler Johnson possesses great instincts and has the ability to read plays as they develop. His Pro Day performance will focus on his lateral quickness, ability to drop into coverage, and closing speed when attacking ball carriers.
– **Bobby Jenkins (Central Michigan University)**
Jenkins is a pass-rushing specialist who accumulated 12 sacks in his final college season. With a relentless motor and explosive burst, Jenkins will need to demonstrate his ability to bend around the edge and convert speed into pressure on the quarterback.
– **Kyle Brown (Eastern Michigan University)**
Brown is a solid cornerback who thrives in press coverage situations. His ability to track the ball in the air and his solid tackling in space make him an appealing prospect. He’ll be working on his hip flexibility and footwork during the Pro Day to show scouts he’s ready for NFL competition.
– **James Carr (Western Michigan University)**
Carr is a safety with elite range and a knack for making plays on the ball. With great anticipation and football IQ, Carr could project as a future starter in the NFL. His Pro Day performance will focus on his 40-yard dash time, agility drills, and overall fluidity in pass coverage.
**Specialists**
– **Tommy Phillips (University of Michigan)**
A strong-legged punter, Phillips has displayed a consistent ability to pin opponents inside the 20-yard line. His work during Pro Day will focus on his hang-time, directional punting, and ability to handle different weather conditions, particularly Michigan’s cold winters.
– **Sean Alexander (Central Michigan University)**
Alexander is a place kicker with a powerful leg, having hit several long field goals throughout his college career. Scouts will be keen to see his consistency and accuracy from various distances during his Pro Day.
The Significance of the Detroit Lions Local Pro Day
For the Detroit Lions, hosting a Local Pro Day is a key component of their overall scouting strategy. This event not only gives the team a closer look at some of the best talent from Michigan and nearby areas but also helps foster relationships with local colleges and universities. Many of the athletes invited to the Lions’ Local Pro Day are highly motivated to impress not only the Lions but also other NFL teams who may be in attendance.
Players who perform well at Local Pro Days often catch the attention of NFL teams, even if they are not immediately considered top draft prospects. For some, this could lead to an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine or an eventual selection in the NFL Draft. For others, it could lead to opportunities as undrafted free agents, giving them a chance to prove themselves in the offseason programs and training camps.
The Detroit Lions use this event to evaluate players’ athleticism, football IQ, and ability to perform under pressure. The drills and exercises at Local Pro Day, which include the 40-yard dash, shuttle drills, positional workouts, and interviews, are designed to give teams an in-depth look at each prospect’s abilities.
The 2025 Local Pro Day for the Detroit Lions represents a major opportunity for local college players looking to make an impression in the NFL. As these players perform their drills and showcase their skills, the Lions’ coaching staff and scouts will be assessing their potential for future roster spots. Whether it’s a quarterback looking to impress with his arm strength, a wide receiver trying to demonstrate his route-running ability, or a defensive player seeking to prove his toughness and football acumen, the Local Pro Day is a pivotal moment for many athletes hoping to take the next step in their careers.
For the Lions, it’s not just about identifying the top talent for the draft, but also about finding diamonds in the rough who might provide value through the undrafted free agent pool. The 2025 Local Pro Day is an exciting opportunity for both players and the organization to potentially shape the future of the Detroit Lions.
