He was the immovable object in the heart of Ohio State’s defense, a 334-pound force who ate up double teams and still made the play. Now, Tyleik Williams is the Detroit Lions’ answer to the one question that’s haunted them for years: Can anyone finally plug the middle and give this team a championship-caliber defense? On a wild night in April, Detroit staked its first-round future on Williams, making him the 28th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. In a room full of prospects who dazzled with flash, the Lions chose substance. They picked a warhorse, a wrecker of running lanes, a player who fits their blue-collar identity as snugly as a battered leather helmet.
Williams’ journey to Detroit began in Manassas, Virginia, where he became a prep legend at Unity Reed High. But it was at Ohio State where he truly made his name, growing from a rotational player into one of college football’s most feared defensive tackles. At 6-foot-3, 334 pounds, Williams doesn’t just play the run. He swallows it whole. And while others might have gaudier sack numbers, few can match his presence in the trenches. That’s exactly what the Lions needed – a tone-setter, a disruptor, and a reminder that in football, brute force still matters.
Detroit’s defensive line was already formidable, but after getting gashed up the middle in critical moments last season, it was clear the team needed a true anchor. The Lions’ selection of Williams wasn’t just about plugging a gap; it was a calculated move to reshape the entire identity of their front seven. With their offense humming, Detroit made a bet that an even more stout run defense could be the missing piece for a deep playoff run. In Williams, they believe they’ve found that piece – a player whose physical gifts and relentless motor could help continue to tip the balance in the NFC North.
Williams’ college career at Ohio State reads like a blueprint for NFL readiness. As a true freshman in 2021, he made an immediate impact, notching 16 tackles and five sacks in just 12 games—a startling debut for a player who arrived as a three-star recruit. Over the next three seasons, Williams became a fixture on the Buckeyes’ defensive line, playing in 38 games and racking up 81 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks. But stats only tell part of the story. Williams was the engine that powered Ohio State’s run defense, clogging lanes and freeing up linebackers to make plays. He capped his collegiate career with a National Championship, earning all-conference honors and a reputation as the Big Ten’s most consistent run-stuffer (ESPN, Wikipedia).
There were highlight-reel moments – like his two-sack performance against Penn State and his dominant showing against Michigan in The Game – but what separated Williams was his week-in, week-out reliability. Coaches raved about his football IQ and ability to recognize blocking schemes before the snap. Teammates called him the “glue guy,” the one whose presence made everyone around him better. Even as injuries forced him to miss three games in his senior year, Williams never lost his edge, returning in time for the postseason and making crucial stops during the Buckeyes’ title run (The Dispatch).
Scouting reports on Williams paint the picture of a throwback defensive tackle with modern athleticism. He’s got a massive frame, a low center of gravity, and an uncanny ability to anchor against double teams. His play strength is elite, allowing him to shed blockers and collapse the pocket. Williams’ hand usage is advanced for a young player, and he flashes impressive agility for someone his size. He isn’t just a run-plugger, though – he’s shown flashes of pass-rush potential, especially when lined up as a three-technique. The main knock on Williams is his pad level; he can pop up out of his stance when fatigued, which sometimes causes him to lose leverage. Scouts also note that while he’s disruptive, his sack numbers don’t leap off the page (NFLDraftBuzz, Athlon Sports).
“No matter how you scheme it, he messes up the picture for the running back.”
Still, the consensus among evaluators is that Williams is one of the best run-defending linemen in the 2025 draft class, with the versatility to play nose or slide outside in certain packages. His competitive toughness is legendary – he plays with a violent demeanor, intent on wearing down blockers by the fourth quarter. In a league where stopping the run is paramount but pass-rush upside is king, Williams offers a rare blend of both. “He’s consistently in the picture in run defense,” said one scout. “No matter how you scheme it, he messes up the picture for the running back” (PackersWire).
It’s weird to say an Ohio State player who just won a natty is being undervalued but Tyleik Williams isn’t this plodding, 334-pounder that eats up space. He causes chaos. Here’s a bunch of clips of him winning within 2-3 steps versus Penn State, Oregon, Texas, and Iowa.
DT3. pic.twitter.com/zYTqQ5xkAU
— Kyle Posey (@KP_Show) April 18, 2025
For the Lions, Williams’ arrival signals a shift in defensive philosophy. Detroit’s staff, led by head coach Dan Campbell and new defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, have built a culture around physicality and discipline. Last season, the Lions’ defense ranked top-10 in sacks but struggled to contain power running games, particularly late in close contests. Williams is expected to slot in as a day-one starter at defensive tackle, likely in a rotation with veteran Alim McNeill when he comes back from injury. His primary role will be as a run-stuffing anchor, but the Lions also envision him as a pocket pusher on passing downs, freeing up edge rushers like Aidan Hutchinson to hunt quarterbacks (Detroit Lions).
The coaching staff is already buzzing about the ways they can deploy Williams. Sheppard’s scheme will likely continue to rely on interior pressure to collapse the pocket and disrupt timing, and Williams fits that blueprint perfectly. Expect Detroit to use more odd fronts, with Williams as the nose and McNeill as a three-tech, or even run some hybrid alignments to keep offenses guessing. Campbell has stressed the need for “violent, relentless football,” and Williams embodies that ethos. “He’s the kind of player who makes the whole room tougher,” said one member of the staff. There’s even talk of using Williams as an occasional fullback in goal-line sets, a nod to his surprising agility and brute strength (Pride of Detroit).
Fan and analyst reactions to the Williams pick have been passionate, if not universally glowing. Many Lions faithful saw the selection as a safe, high-floor move – an antidote to the team’s injury bug and recent struggles against the run. Social media lit up with highlights of Williams blowing up plays in the backfield, along with a healthy dose of skepticism about his pass-rush ceiling. NFL analysts praised the fit, calling Williams “arguably the best run-stuffing defensive lineman in this draft,” but some questioned whether Detroit reached for need over value at No. 28. “Drafting Williams was probably the right move if you’re serious about shoring up the run defense,” wrote one columnist. “But you’re banking on him developing into more than just a space-eater” (Free Press, NY Times/The Athletic).
Still, the optimism is palpable. Fans remember the days when Detroit’s defense was routinely bulldozed by opposing rushing attacks. Williams represents a new hope, a potential franchise cornerstone whose best football may still be ahead of him. “He plays with a chip on his shoulder,” one fan tweeted. “Exactly the attitude we need in the Motor City.” Analysts agree that Williams’ presence instantly raises the floor of Detroit’s defense, even if it takes time for his pass-rush skills to fully blossom (Free Press, Pride of Detroit).
What does the future hold for Williams in Detroit? The expectations are sky-high. As a rookie, he projects as a 40-plus snap-per-game player, with a focus on early downs and short-yardage situations. Long-term, the Lions see him as a foundational piece, the kind of player who can anchor the defense for a decade. If he can develop a more consistent pass-rush repertoire, Williams could become a Pro Bowl-caliber tackle – a disruptive force who draws double teams and opens up opportunities for the rest of the defense. Even if he doesn’t rack up sacks, his value as a run defender and tone-setter is immense (Sports Illustrated).
There will be growing pains, of course. NFL offensive lines are savvier and more athletic than anything Williams faced in college. He’ll need to keep his pad level low, refine his hand technique, and manage the physical toll of a 17-game season. But if his trajectory at Ohio State is any indication, Williams is more than capable of making the leap. The Lions’ coaching staff is confident they can unlock his full potential, and Williams arrives in Detroit with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove (Pro Football Network).
The buzz around Williams’ selection is more than just draft-night adrenaline. It’s a sign that Detroit is all-in on building a defense that can win in January. Paired with a dynamic offense and a young, hungry core, the Lions are positioning themselves as true NFC contenders for years to come. Williams may not be the flashiest pick, but he’s the kind of player winning teams are built on – tough, reliable, and relentless.
So as the confetti settles and the Motor City dreams of playoff glory, there’s a new anchor in town. Tyleik Williams, the man in the middle, is here to change the story in Detroit. And for the first time in a long while, Lions fans can believe that the future – anchored by a mountain of a man – really might be different.