The Detroit Lions came out of the 2025 NFL Draft having added seven rookies. GM Brad Holmes decided to invest his resources into the trenches, drafting two defensive linemen and two offensive linemen. The Lions also used a third-round pick on talented wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa to further bolster the offense.
While Detroit will surely have an elite offense once again, the questions surrounding their backup QB situation remain. Right before the draft, the Lions released Jake Fromm, leaving the QB room to Hendon Hooker and Kyle Allen to compete behind Jared Goff.
It turns out that the Lions are targeting a local quarterback to compete for the same role. Eastern Michigan University revealed that QB Cole Snyder has been invited to Detroit's rookie minicamp.
Lions invite EMU QB Cole Snyder to rookie minicamp https://t.co/83XoMpGp9H pic.twitter.com/o2BiIeGSy2
— The Lions Wire (@thelionswire) April 28, 2025
Lions Target a Local Standout QB After the NFL Draft
Rookie minicamps are scheduled to start on May 10. In addition to the team's rookies and the undrafted free agents, players invited for tryouts will participate with the hopes of making the training camp roster. Snyder will be among the group that will try to impress the coaching staff ahead of the OTAs and mandatory minicamp.
Snyder transferred to Eastern Michigan in 2024 before his sixth and final collegiate season. After not starting in any games in three seasons at Rutgers, Snyder transferred to Buffalo in 2022. In his two seasons there, he started in 25 games and became the third QB in program history to throw for 3,000 yards in a single season.
He then took his talents to Eastern Michigan, leading the Eagles to a 5-7 record, throwing for 2,684 yards in 12 games and scoring 15 touchdowns. He added 323 yards and four scores in the running game.
The experienced QB will likely find it hard to play himself into a contract in Detroit. Despite the QB2 competition being wide open for the Lions, it's hard to imagine Snyder making much of a noise. A local standout getting a chance to prove himself in the NFL, however, is always good to see, and let's hope he gets an opportunity, even if it is not with Detroit.