Former JMU defensive end Isaac Ukwu has a legitimate chance to earn a roster spot with the Detroit Lions.

Ukwu, who finished his college career at Ole Miss after six seasons with JMU, has impressed during preseason camp after going undrafted in the spring. The athletic defensive end has one final preseason game to impress coaches, with the Lions hosting the Steelers on Saturday. If Ukwu performs well, he could earn a spot on the team’s 53-man roster.

“When he got in here in the spring, he was last on the depth chart,” Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said at a media availability Tuesday. “It was, ‘Well where can this guy play? He’s not the biggest guy. He’s not really a SAM. Is he a defensive end?’ And he’s just steadily gotten better and better and better.”

Final roster cuts occur on Aug. 27.

Impressive Preseason so Far

Ukwu has shined in the team’s preseason games, recording a sack in each of the Lions’ first two preseason contests. He’s looked the part of an NFL caliber defensive end, and the Lions wouldn’t need him to be a full-time starter given the other options at the position. He needs to prove himself as a serviceable rotational piece at the position. 

While at Ole Miss, Ukwu tallied 30 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2023. He started five games at defensive end for the Rebels, who won 11 games.

During his JMU career, Ukwu battled injuries but finished with 16.5 sacks in 28 games. He earned All-Sun Belt honors in 2022, finishing the year with 10.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks in 11 games played. When healthy, Ukwu was one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in JMU’s recent history.

Ukwu has done well to make the most of his opportunity with the Lions during preseason games and workouts. Campbell raved about him during Tuesday’s press conference. 

“He plays much bigger than he is,” Campbell said. “He plays longer than his length says. Every time you give him an opportunity, he just shows up.”

Making Detroit’s roster won’t be an easy accomplishment, given the team’s overall roster strength. Campbell mentioned this week the team would have to cut good players in the coming days. At the very least, however, Ukwu has played well enough through a pair of preseason games to be firmly in the mix to make the team’s 53-man roster with a few days before final roster cuts. 

Photo courtesy of JMU Athletics Communications