From loading trucks at FedEx to anchoring a Power Four defensive line, Skyler Gill-Howard’s path to the NFL is built on grit, sacrifice and relentless growth — and the Lions may have found a hidden gem in the trenches.
The Detroit Lions continued addressing key roster needs, turning their attention to the defensive line — a unit that, beyond edge rusher and the offensive line, required added depth and long-term upside.
Few prospects in this draft class bring a story as unique as Skyler Gill-Howard, whose path to Division I football, and now the NFL, has been anything but conventional.
Gill-Howard began his collegiate career as a walk-on linebacker at Division II Upper Iowa in 2021. After leaving the program, he spent time working at FedEx while continuing to train, at one point considering stepping away from football entirely. Instead, he earned another opportunity as a walk-on at Northern Illinois, where he initially served on the scout team.
That second chance marked a turning point. Gill-Howard transitioned from linebacker to defensive line, a move that required a dramatic physical transformation. He added more than 50 pounds in roughly four months, reshaping his body to meet the demands of the position while continuing to work at FedEx to support himself. He remained a walk-on for three years before eventually earning a scholarship.
By the 2024 season at Northern Illinois, Gill-Howard had developed into a productive and disruptive defensive presence. He recorded 51 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and 29 pressures, earning Third Team All-MAC honors. His performance was backed by analytics, including an 83.8 Pro Football Focus grade, signaling his emergence as a legitimate NFL prospect.
Gill-Howard transferred to Texas Tech ahead of the 2025 season, where he quickly established himself as a leader on the defensive front. Despite appearing in just eight games due to an ankle injury that cut his season short, he posted elite efficiency metrics. He recorded an 88.6 overall PFF grade and a 90.0 pass-rush grade, ranking among the top interior defenders in the Power Four conferences for players with at least 150 snaps. His 14.4% pass-rush win rate ranked among the best at his position.
Even in limited action, Gill-Howard flashed impact ability. He totaled 12 pressures, eight stops and a sack, while also making one of the most notable plays of his season — a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown against Kent State. His versatility was evident in his alignment, playing 51% of his snaps at 5-technique and 42% at 3-technique.
Across his collegiate career, which included stops at Upper Iowa, Northern Illinois and Texas Tech, Gill-Howard compiled 88 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and one interception. However, his value extends beyond the stat sheet.
A former high school running back and linebacker at Greenfield High School in Wisconsin, Gill-Howard was a two-time team captain and a two-time state runner-up in wrestling. That wrestling background is evident in his play style, particularly in his leverage, balance and hand usage in the trenches.
Off the field, Gill-Howard’s story is equally compelling. He is the oldest of 10 children and the first in his family to graduate from college. In 2022, his family endured tragedy when one of his younger brothers was shot and killed at age 17. Those experiences have shaped his leadership style and resilience, qualities that have not gone unnoticed by evaluators. One NFL scout described him as bringing “big brother energy” to a locker room, with effort — both on and off the field —never in question.
While Gill-Howard remains relatively inexperienced, with fewer than 1,000 defensive snaps and only seven career starts, his trajectory suggests significant upside. For Detroit, he represents a developmental piece with high character, positional versatility and proven production when given the opportunity, a combination that aligns with the team’s continued emphasis on building depth in the trenches.