This is Isaac TeSlaa: Get to know the Detroit Lions’ rookie WR with the catch of the year (so far)

You saw it, right? C’mon, it’s week 1 of the new season and some things are just meant to be seen by everyone. If you didn’t, here you go. For the rest – except maybe some Cheeseheads – enjoy once again.

What led to the Isaac TeSlaa catch?

It’s fair to say that Detroit looked pretty flat against Green Bay, coughing up a 27-13 loss. Their offense sputtered, only 3.8 yards per play, a stagnant rushing game, and Jared Goff under constant duress.

Enter Isaac TeSlaa, a third-round pick who’d quietly turned heads in preseason. He’d impressed in the Hall of Fame Game and drawn praise from coordinators.

On fourth-and-3, deep in the fourth quarter, TeSlaa ran a fade, leaped over Carrington Valentine, and snatched the ball one-handed, even though the refs initially ruled it out of bounds. The replay flipped the call. His first NFL catch. A touchdown. His only catch.

Who is Isaac TeSlaa?

A quick dig and we find that TeSlaa was born February 20, 2002, and hails from Hudsonville, Michigan. He began life as a multi-sport standout at Unity Christian High, quarterbacking his team to its first-ever state title in 2018, winning a state championship in basketball, and setting the school long jump record. He graduated summa cum laude with a flawless 4.0 GPA. Impressed yet?

Well, not everyone was, and instead of being in hot demand, he followed his family legacy to Hillsdale College, where he became a breakout wide receiver. In 2022 he posted 1,325 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning G-MAC Offensive Player of the Year.

TeSlaa transferred to Arkansas for two seasons. In 2024, he recorded 28 catches for 545 yards (19.5-yard average), ranking fifth in the SEC and 13th nationally in receiving average. He then starred at the 2025 Senior Bowl and NFL Combine.

The Lions chose him with the 70th overall pick in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. In training camp, he caught 10 of 13 targets for 146 yards and three touchdowns... and that, along with other factors spotted by coaches, was enough to push for playing time.

Here’s the young man himself, speaking with Kay Adams:

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