After the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft last month, the Detroit Lions signed 10 players in the undrafted free agent period. Two players (Caden Pierskorn and Leif Fautanu) from initial UDFA signings are not with the club anymore, but the other eight still have a shot to make Detroit’s roster this summer.
Former Grand Valley State safety Ian Kennelly is among the eight still vying for a shot and has the path to be a backup behind standout defender Kerby Joseph.
On Thursday, Lions safeties coach Jim O’Neil told reporters that Kennelly, seventh-round pick Dan Jackson, Morice Norris, and Loren Strickland are all competing for one spot, with Detroit putting veteran Avonte Maddox at safety.
While it seems like a challenge for the undrafted free agent on paper, the Lions aren’t shy about giving players from the D2 ranks a chance.
Linebackers Anthony Pittman and Trevor Nowaske, who played college football at Wayne State and Saginaw Valley State, respectively, saw an uptick in playing time last season due to all the injuries the Lions had and played well.
For a guy like Kennelly, it proves that if he does his job over the next few weeks and months, he could be part of the D2 pipeline for the Lions.
The 6-foot-2, 209-pound defensive back had a good six-year collegiate career at Grand Valley State. Kennelly racked up 174 total tackles, 19 pass deflections, eight interceptions, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and 1.5 tackles for loss in 49 career games.
Last season, the two-time first-team All-GLIAC posted 64 total tackles, six pass deflections, three interceptions and a tackle for loss in 13 games.
Kennelly is a good technician at the safety spot and possesses good ball skills. He’s also an exceptional tackler in open field and has the short-area explosiveness which helps him bring down the opponent’s ball carrier.
At the same time, he’s not the best in man coverage and doesn’t have the best fluidity when going from centerfield to the opposing teams’ sideline. However, based on his strengths, he sounds like a prospect that could fit in with what the Lions do on defense. Let’s see if the Macomb, Michigan native can become the next D2 standout to join Detroit.