The Lions invested significant draft capital to move up and select TeSlaa at No. 70—much earlier than many projections had him going. In your view, what qualities or potential did the organization likely see that justified such a bold move?
Fuller: The Lions saw a player with a high ceiling and even higher character. Teammates and coaches raved about TeSlaa’s work ethic and personality throughout his two years at Arkansas. He played on special teams, was a willing blocker and never complained about his role in the offense. His Combine numbers prove there is untapped potential. He’s a tremendous athlete who makes contested catches and can play both outside and in the slot.
TeSlaa made a notable transition from Division II Hillsdale to the SEC with Arkansas and found success. What factors do you believe enabled him to make that leap effectively?
Fuller: He has the size and speed of a prototypical SEC receiver. TeSlaa didn’t play wide receiver in high school, so his experience at the Division II level was a transition period.
From your perspective, what areas of TeSlaa’s game will require development in order for him to thrive at the professional level?
Fuller: He needs to become a better route runner. There were times in TeSlaa’s career where he disappeared in games because he struggled to get open and quarterbacks didn’t want to throw 50/50 balls into tight coverage. The thing with TeSlaa is he catches those passes more often than not.
The Lions organization places a high premium on character and resilience. In what ways do you see TeSlaa embodying the “gritty” culture the team is known for?
Fuller: It’s a perfect fit, and it can’t hurt that he grew up a Lions fan. TeSlaa will put in the required work and be an addition to the locker room culture. He just wants to make a winning impact and doesn’t stress too much about his individual stats.
Are there any standout moments, stories, or behind-the-scenes insights from TeSlaa’s time at Arkansas that you think Lions fans would appreciate or find meaningful?
Fuller: When I think about TeSlaa’s career at Arkansas, “what if?” comes to mind. What if Arkansas had utilized him more? What if the offensive line was better and the Hogs could have used him more as a deep-threat? What if he didn’t have two quarterbacks and two offensive coordinators in two years? Otherwise, Lions fans should know just how much TeSlaa was beloved by his coaches. Any time we asked (Arkansas head coach) Sam Pittman about TeSlaa, he would always say he loved him and rave about his work ethic.
I would like to thank Jackson for taking time out of his day to answer these questions about Detroit’s newest weapon on offense and giving Lions fans more insight into TeSlaa’s time at Arkansas.
Jackson Fuller is an award-winning beat reporter for the Times Record and USA Today, covering University of Arkansas sports. You can follow him and his amazing work @jacksonfuller16.
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