Lions’ rookie class reports to training camp

It’s officially that time of year again.

The Detroit Lions’ rookie class on Wednesday reported to Allen Park ahead of this weekend’s official start of training camp for the team. Veterans must report by Saturday.

This year’s rookie class features first-round picks at running back (Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama) and linebacker (Jack Campbell, Iowa), plus a pair of second-rounders that are sure to catch everybody’s attention. Rookie safety Brian Branch (Alabama) has potential to be one of the steals of the draft after falling to the Lions at pick No. 45 and Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta was arguably the top rookie from minicamp and OTAs.

With the pads coming on, you can also expect to learn a little more about the big boys drafted in the later rounds. Brodric Martin, a 6-foot-5, 330-pound defensive tackle, is certainly a player to watch in the early going, as is offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal, who’s getting reps on the inside after playing his entire college career at right tackle.

While former Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker will still be limited on the field, there’s a lot of intrigue as to how much progress he can show in camp. The somewhat forgotten member of Detroit’s draft class, seventh-round receiver Antoine Green (North Carolina), has a chance to start carving out a roster spot after making a positive impression during the spring.

“I see a lot of things. He can stretch the field. That’s one of the big things we see, just in terms of him getting off the ball and going,” Lions receivers coach Antwaan Randle El said.

“We feel he can catch it pretty cleanly. He shows up and runs some routes where it’s, all right, OK, I didn’t quite see that on the college tape or you only saw it a little bit, and now you’re starting to see it here.”

Local making waves

Another rookie receiver to watch is former Eastern Michigan wideout Dylan Drummond, who signed with the team in May after getting a tryout at rookie minicamp.

“He’s a guy that’s like, man, he’s picking up the offense pretty quickly, and that’s all the different spots. He’s understanding the concepts, the intent of the play, why we’re doing what we’re doing. So that’s been a big deal for him,” Randle El said.

“He catches the ball cleanly. He runs pretty good routes and he grabs the grass, man. When he runs the routes, it’s like he’s covering grass. It’s like, ‘Man, this kid is covering some ground.'”

Drummond (6-foot, 186 pounds), a Cleveland native, spent five seasons at Eastern. He caught 33 passes for three touchdowns and 525 receiving yards, averaging 15.9 yards per catch, last season. His best season came in 2021, when he caught 64 passes for 704 yards and six scores.

“When we first came out of that tryout (during rookie minicamp), I was like, ‘Chalk him up. Sign him up because he’s got something.’ And he’s willing to work. He’s a hard worker. I don’t have any problems with him. Like I said, he learns it,” Randle El said.

“Those are good positives. You can come in and learn all this stuff and you’ve got some wiggle? You can play outside and inside? He brings a good bit to the table.”