HBCU Legends

Detroit Lions Elevate LB James Houston IV to Active Roster

The Detroit Lions elevated James "The Problem" Houston IV from its practice squad for their Thanksgiving Day game against the Buffalo Bills.

Kyle T. Mosley

Detroit Lions Elevate LB James Houston IV to Active Roster
Detroit Lions Elevate LB James Houston IV to Active Roster /

HOUSTON, TX - The Detroit Lions elevated linebacker James Houston IV from the practice squad to the active roster. The former Jackson State star linebacker will wear No. 59 and play against the Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving Day.  

James Houston
Lions linebacker James Houston, center, practices during minicamp in Allen Park on Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Credit:© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Detroit selected Houston as the 217th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

James "The Problem" Houston was a playmaker for the Jackson State Tigers' defense in 2021. The HBCU standout recorded 70 tackles, 24.5 tackles for a loss, 16.5 sacks, and an interception in 2021.  

The 6-1 and 241-pound rookie had three game appearances with the Lions during the 2022 NFL Preseason. He recorded three tackles (2 solo, 1 assist) and participated on special teams.

Rookie LB James Houston; Credit: Detroit Lions
West quarterback Brock Purdy of Iowa State (15) is flushed out of the pocket by East linebacker James Houston IV of Jackson State (41) during the East\West Shrine Bowl at Allegiant Stadium
Feb 3, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; West quarterback Brock Purdy of Iowa State (15) throws the ball under pressure from East linebacker James Houston IV of Jackson State (41) in the second half of the East-West Shrine Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jackson State University's James Houston tries to stop University of Louisiana-Monroe's Rhett Rodriguez during their game at Malone Stadium in Monroe, La., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. Tcl Jsuvulm4; Credit:© Eric Shelton/Clarion Ledger via Imagn Content Services, LLC
HBCU Stars at 2022 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl; S Cory Rahman (TSU), DE/LB James Houston (JSU), S Markquese Bell (FAMU), QB Aqeel Glass (AAMU), CB CJ Holmes (JSU), and WR Ezzard (SHSU); Credit: Debonaire, Inc. from Jackson, MS
James Houston; JSU Athletics

Houston, 24, is a Fort Lauderdale native from American Heritage high school. The Florida Gators recruited Houston in 2017. He later played in the 2018 and 2019 seasons before transferring to Jackson State.

The Deion Sanders disciple was named SWAC 2021 Newcomer of the Year and earned Associated Press FCS All-American team honors en route to the NFL.

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Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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