What’s it like to have your childhood dream come true? For Isaac TesLaa, the Detroit Lions‘ 3rd round pick, that dream is now a reality. TesLaa recently joined Amon-Ra and Equanimeous St. Brown on the St. Brown Podcast at the NFLPA rookie premiere to talk about his journey. He shared his experiences about draft night, growing up a Lions fan, and much more. Watch the full interview to hear all of Isaac’s insights on the St. Brown Podcast YouTube channel.
Draft Day Dreams: From Prank Call Fears to Detroit Cheers
The moments leading up to the NFL Draft can be filled with anxiety and anticipation. For TesLaa, that was no different.
The Call That Almost Wasn’t
Imagine waiting for the phone to ring, knowing your entire future could change with that one call. TesLaa described the nail-biting moments leading up to his name being called. What if it was a prank? He admitted to the St. Brown brothers that he was worried about a prank call ruining everything. Thankfully, when the call finally came, it was indeed the Detroit Lions. “I was a little worried when I first picked up the call that I was going to be a prank call and I was going to be devastated, but it was really Brett Holmes. It was really Detroit area code,” TesLaa said.
Agent Expectations vs. Reality
Going into the NFL Draft, TesLaa’s agent had given him a projected range of being picked in rounds 3-5. So, when the Lions selected him early in the third round, it exceeded expectations. This was a dream come true, but TesLaa had to earn it with his talent. You can learn more about the newest draftee by visiting the site and reading Isaac’s full draft profile.
Growing Up Honolulu Blue: A Lifelong Lions Fan Living the Dream
There’s something special about playing for the team you grew up rooting for. For TesLaa, that’s the Detroit Lions.
Home Team Hero
TesLaa is a Michigan guy through and through, hailing from Hudsonville on the state’s west side. He expressed his excitement about staying in Michigan and playing for the Lions. It’s not every day you get to represent your home state on the NFL stage. So, is it exciting to stay home and everything?
Rocking the Lions Jersey at the Visit
To show his love for the team, TesLaa wore a custom Lions jersey to his team visit. The jersey had his name and high school number on the back. While he thought it might have been a little corny, the team loved it. What a way to show your dedication!
From Fan to Player: The Unbelievable Odds
Think about the odds, what are the chances of playing for your favorite team? It’s a long shot, about 1 in 32. Amon-Ra, who grew up an Eagles fan, had a different experience. However, he’s grown to love being a Lion, especially as the team has improved.
First Impressions & Building Chemistry
Team chemistry is important, and it starts with making a good first impression.
The Text Heard ‘Round the Golf Course
Amon-Ra shared the story of reaching out to TesLaa via text while he was out golfing. TesLaa was impressed that Amon-Ra reached out to him. This simple gesture showed leadership and a desire to connect with the newest member of the team.
Bringing the Lombardi Home
The ultimate goal is to bring the Lombardi Trophy home to Detroit. TesLaa and the St. Brown brothers are all focused on achieving that goal. They’re not settling for anything less than a championship.
The Combine Grind & The Alphabet Test
The NFL Combine is a crucial step for players hoping to make it to the league. It’s a chance to showcase their skills and impress coaches and scouts.
Late Bloomer to Combine Standout
TesLaa’s journey to the Combine wasn’t straightforward. He started at the Hula Bowl, earned a Senior Bowl invite, and finally made it to the Combine. He took advantage of every opportunity to show what he could do.
Weird Combine Questions
Teams are known for asking some pretty strange questions during the Combine. TesLaa was asked to say the alphabet backwards! Amon-Ra’s experience was different, he was asked what his coach would say about him. These questions are designed to test a player’s mental agility and ability to think under pressure.
TesLaa’s Impressive Speed
TesLaa clocked an impressive 4.43 40-yard dash time. The Lions are adding some serious speed to their roster with this pick.
From Quarterback to Wide Receiver: A Position Change Pays Off
Sometimes, a position change can unlock a player’s full potential.
High School QB Days
TesLaa started out as a quarterback in high school. He played in a run-heavy offense, which meant he wanted the ball in his hands every single play.
The Transition to WR
TesLaa decided to switch to wide receiver, realizing his size, speed, and athleticism made him a better fit for the position. His dad was also a college receiver, so he had a great mentor. This position change has clearly paid off.
Building the Perfect Wide Receiver: TesLaa’s Dream Player
If you could build the perfect wide receiver, what would he look like?
- Hands: Julio Jones
- IQ/Intelligence: Cooper Kupp
- Size: Megatron (Calvin Johnson)
- Speed: DeSean Jackson
- Routes: Davante Adams
Debate and Discussion
TesLaa’s choices sparked some debate with the St. Brown brothers. They discussed the difference between size and hands, comparing Julio Jones and Calvin Johnson. It’s all about finding the right combination of traits to create the ultimate receiver.
Touchdown Celebrations: From Headstands to Humping the Ground
Touchdown celebrations are a way for players to express themselves and have fun on the field.
The Headstand Origin Story
TesLaa’s signature headstand celebration has become his trademark. He got the idea from someone in college, but Drake London did it first.
Celebration Philosophy
TesLaa likes to stay on trend with his celebrations, adding his own personal touch. He’s not the biggest dancer, but he knows how to make a statement.
Best Celebration Creator on the Lions
Amon-Ra and Jamo (Jameson Williams) are also known for their creative celebrations. Jamo’s “humping the ground” celebration was particularly memorable. The Detroit Lions have a strong celebration culture.
Jersey Number & Schedule Reactions
These are important details that every player has to deal with when they enter the league.
Why #18?
TesLaa chose #18 because it was the best available number. As a rookie, it can be tough to get your preferred number.
Schedule Release Excitement
TesLaa is excited about the Lions’ schedule, especially the Thanksgiving and Christmas games. However, he knows that playing on holidays means sacrifices. It will be hard with his family from Michigan wanting to spend time with him.
“Do You Know Ball?” TesLaa’s Football Knowledge Test
Let’s see how well TesLaa knows his football history!
- Megatron
- Baker Mayfield and Brett Favre
- Golden Tate
- Marcus Coulson
- Cam Chancellor
- Darren Sproles
TesLaa’s Performance
TesLaa did pretty well on the quiz, only missing a couple of players. He struggled with Marcus Coulson and Cam Chancellor, but overall, he showed he knows his stuff.
Michigan vs. LA: A Rookie’s First Impressions
It can be a culture shock to move from Michigan to Los Angeles.
Michigan Pride
TesLaa is proud of his Michigan roots. He hasn’t traveled much, so this is a new experience for him.
LA Exposure
Amon-Ra offered to show Isaac around LA, since it’s his first time in the city. There are plenty of things to do, from going to the beach to hitting the casinos, just don’t gamble since the NFL doesn’t like it!
Isaac’s Drip
The St. Brown brothers hyped TesLaa up, complimenting his unique style. It’s important to feel confident and comfortable in your own skin.
Panini Pack Opening
To celebrate the NFLPA rookie premiere and the partnership with Panini trading cards, TesLaa got to open a pack of cards.
- Debo Samuel
- Matt Milano
- David Njoku
- George Kittle
- Nick Bosa
- Cade Stover
- Joey Bosa
- Kyle Juszczyk
- Dalton Schultz
Identifying Cade Stover
TesLaa struggled to identify Cade Stover. There was even a debate about his position and team, so it’s alright if you don’t know every single player!
Outro: A Bright Future for TesLaa in Detroit
TesLaa’s journey from Lions fan to Detroit draftee is an exciting story. He has the talent and drive to make a real impact on the team. Be sure to stay up to date with the Detroit Lions to see how he’s progressing.
We appreciate TesLaa for joining the podcast and sharing his experiences. Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and comment to support the St. Brown Podcast. You can “cop some merch” too from the St. Brown Podcast Merchandise store. Also, be sure to follow the St. Brown Podcast on Instagram and X.
We are looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the Detroit Lions this year!