What They're Saying: Top Draft Prospects Learn Lions Culture

Detroit Lions are seeking players who love the game of football.

The Detroit Lions front office and coaching staff are seeking competitive, gritty prospects who view the game of football as an all-encompassing aspect of their life. 

Head coach Dan Campbell, speaking at the 2023 Combine, expressed, “You watch the guys that you present them this mini-install before they get to the tape and taking notes, asking questions, and then, man, when you go, they throw the sheet down cause to them it’s a competition. 'I’m about to show you how good I can do this. I’m about to show you what I can retain. I’m gonna show you that I understand what you’re wanting me to do.’ And those guys are rare. If you can find those guys and they’ve got some ability, which most guys here do, it’s hard not to like them.”

Here is a sample of what was said at the 2023 Combine by the top prospects who will certainly interest the Detroit Lions. 

Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta

"I walked in there and immediately hit the tape. I started learning a new play call. And after I learned a new play call for about five minutes, they jumped into some of my tape. And then at the very end of the meeting, we came back to the play call and I had to remember all the splits of the receivers, tight ends, what routes were they running. Very small details as the routes and it was interesting. Yeah, but very direct.”

Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta / © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. 

"I would say my family really motivated me. Just really a legacy standpoint for me. My dad's been there before. He's done it. I want to do the same thing and just be better. That's the main thing. He always told me he wants me to be better than him, so that's what I'm gonna strive to do and that's why I'm here."

TCU quarterback Max Duggan

"I think interviews just get to know me as a person. And I think a lot of it shows up on tape and they kind of have a good feel for who I am as a player. But I think really getting to know me, about who I am behind the scenes. And I think just getting to talk ball. Getting to get on the board, talk protections, talk scheme, just kind of getting to learn me as a player a little bit more that you can't really see on tape. And then on the field, just go out and show you're a consistent passer, you've got velocity, your footwork's all cleaned up, and you want to compete against the best."

Florida State safety Jammie Robinson

"Being able to know pretty much the whole defense, I play like three, four different positions. So, it's 11 guys, so you do the math, that's pretty much the whole defense in the back end. So, just being able to be a guy that you can count on, that's what I preach to myself. Accountability. If I'm looking to the left and to the right and I know that I can trust in that guy, it's going to make it way more easier for us to go out there and just put trust in each other and for me to go to war with him."

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson

"There are a lot of people who say I can benefit from it (sitting behind a veteran quarterback). A lot of people who (also) can say I could benefit from going in, Day 1, and playing. So, who knows what I'm ready for? I just know whatever situation I'm put into, I'm going to dive in headfirst and just keep grinding hard."

Michigan Wolverines kicker Jake Moody

"Yeah. I grew up just down the road from Detroit. I was a Lions fan growing up. That'd be pretty cool. It's a plus they play indoors. It's nice for a kicker. But I'm happy anywhere I end up."

Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Kelee Ringo 

"Continuously to be a great competitor. I feel like as a corner, I feel like it's high-risk, high-reward, of course. Being an offensive lineman or a running back, if somebody misses a block and the quarterback gets the ball off at the right timing in early and then it's a great play and they get, they score a touchdown. But man, as a corner going out there and knowing that you have the utmost confidence in yourself and if you take one wrong step, it could possibly be touchdown. So, it's coming out there with that swagger, just believing in yourself and having confidence every single time you step out on that field."

Texas Tech defensive lineman Tyree Wilson 

"I'm a great worker and I'm passionate about football and that I'll take the organization to another level. At the end of the day, the eye in the sky don't lie. They can turn on the tape and tell I'm passionate about football. Get the ballcarrier tone even when it's not my play and they can tell in my tone that I'm passionate about this game.''

Clemson Tigers defensive lineman Myles Murphy 

"The biggest thing is versatility. I have film of playing from the 3 all the way out to a wide 9, 2-point, 3-point. Dominating in every gap, honestly. Great off the ball, great speed off the ball. Great point of attack. Being 275 points I have the strength to go with it."