Jacob Saylors is a football player in the truest sense of the word. Coming out of FCS East Tennessee State, Saylors put together an All-Conference career that saw him accumulate almost 4,000 rushing yards along with 33 touchdowns. In 2023, like the majority of college football players, Saylors went undrafted, beginning an arduous journey of finding a spot on an NFL active roster.
From 2023 to today, Saylors’ journey was less than linear. Cut by the Bengals (2023), a couple weeks on the practice squad for the Falcons (2023). He joined the UFL as a third-string option behind Wayne Gallman and Mataeo Durant, and became an All-UFL back. He also earned contracts with the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns in 2024, only to be cut once again.
Saylors decided to give football one more go, and in 2025, he put together an All-UFL season once again. This time, that success landed himself with the Detroit Lions going into training camp. Despite a crowded running back room, the Lions decided that the versatility Saylors brought was too valuable to send the young running back packing.
Saylors making a name for himself without making headlines
After an elevation, Saylors would sign to Detroit’s active roster, and since then has quietly been one of the Lions key contributors of the first five weeks of the 2025 season. Saylors has proven to be a key piece specifically on both sides of the Lions’ special teams unit.
Saylors currently ranks just outside the NFL top 10 in return yards and average yards per return, despite limited opportunity. In addition to his 310 kick return yards (25.8/yds per return), he’s also recorded four tackles on punts and kickoffs, as well.
Saylors is currently on pace to eclipse over 1,000 all-purpose yards to go along with possibly recording 10 tackles on special teams, which could garner Pro Bowl consideration.
While Saylors’ contributions aren’t going to consistently make headlines, his play on the field for the Lions is what really matters. As a UDFA, Saylors has shown he’s able to consistently do the dirty work that is required for championship teams. He’s truly made up of the stuff that head coach Dan Campbell loves to prioritize with this Detroit team.
