UDFA running back Anthony Tyus III is already doing his part to get on the Lions’ coaching staff radar.
Dec 20, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Ohio Bobcats running back Anthony Tyus III (2) reacts after a play against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in the second quarter at Camping World Stadium. | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The Detroit Lions just wrapped up their rookie minicamp over the weekend. Head coach Dan Campbell and the rest of Detroit’s coaching staff had an opportunity to get a first look at the incoming draft class, UDFAs, and invite/tryout players.
The Lions signed 10 undrafted free agents following the 2025 NFL Draft, including running back Anthony Tyus III. The former Ohio University standout is one of two running backs in Detroit’s UDFA class and will have an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster or practice squad.
Detroit has four running backs returning from last year’s team (Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Craig Reynolds, and Sione Vaki) on the 90-man roster. Those four guys are likely locked in for the 2025 season, leaving a practice squad spot up for grabs.
Tyus, who is from Portage, Michigan, is excited about the opportunity to play for his hometown team, but also knows what he needs to do to win over the coaches to secure a spot.
“Effort. Hard work. Grit. Relentlessness. Make sure they can’t get rid of me,” Tyus said to Jeff Risdon of the Lions Wire.
The 6-foot-1, 225-pound running back had an outstanding 2024 season with the Bobcats, which was his only year at Ohio after playing the first three years of his career at Northwestern.
Tyus posted 1,215 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 237 carries. He also hauled in 16 receptions for 137 yards and two scores. In his three years at Northwestern, he only had 504 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 119 carries.
Despite the slow start to his collegiate career, the Michigan native showed that he could be an NFL-caliber running back with the Bobcats. Tyus could carry a huge workload and held his own in pass pro.
For a rookie running back, a quick way to get on the field is if you are good at pass protection (e.g., picking up the blitzer). Tyus will be in excellent shape if he does that during training camp and preseason.
The former Bobcat standout also does a good job of finding the gap, which shows that he has solid vision. Most Lions fans won’t pay attention to the rookie RB battle this summer, but that doesn’t matter to Tyus, who clearly has his eyes set on the prize.
