ESPN: Detroit Lions add “bruising” rookie running back following a breakout season.
Despite having one of the most potent rushing offenses in the NFL the previous season, the Detroit Lions managed to bring in some fresh talent this summer.
One of those signings came via a surprising route: the Lions signed a local star who had a stellar 2024 college season but was passed over for the NFL draft.
Following a 1,200-yard season, the Lions add Anthony Tyus III.
On May 9, the Lions revealed their list of undrafted free agents, which included Anthony Tyus III, a former running back for Ohio. Tyus finished his undergraduate career strongly, according to Tim Twentyman of the team’s official website.
Twentyman writes, “Tyus averaged 5.1 yards per attempt and 93.5 yards per game this past season, rushing for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns.” “He also caught 16 passes for two touchdowns and 137 yards.”
For Tyus, the great season was a complete surprise. The Michigan native only managed to accumulate 504 total running yards and 81 total receiving yards throughout his first three seasons of college at Northwestern.
Tyus led the MAC’s best offense after more than doubling his career running output during his last season at Ohio.
By the end of his last collegiate season, Tyus showed a tendency for huge games, according to Matthew Ehler of MLive.com, who described him as a “6-foot-1, 226-pound bruising and powerful ball carrier”.
“The Bobcats have actually rushed for more than 100 yards in each of their last four games. In their 38-3 MAC title game rout of Miami (OH), Tyus III carried the rock 27 times for 151 yards and a touchdown, and he racked up 26 totes for 104 yards in their 30-27 Cure Bowl game victory over Jacksonville State,” Ehler wrote.
Even though Tyus will face fierce competition to make the Lions’ final squad, Colton Pouncy of The Athletic hinted that he could still have a role to play in the next campaign.
Pouncy noted, “At 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, he’s another bigger back (4.59 40), but he can move when he picks up a head of steam and was dependable in pass pro.” “The Lions are constantly searching for reliable running backs to practice with.”
Talented Backfield in Detroit
The Lions boasted one of the league’s most dangerous rushing offenses in 2024 behind the dynamic pair of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Barry Sanders, the team’s all-time best running back, praised the two highly, referring to them as the NFL’s finest rushing tandem.
Sanders stated on Pro Football Talk that “there’s no reason that’s going to change any time soon because they’re the best duo in the NFL.” “You would think those two guys would play a big part in a Super Bowl if one is in our near future.”
According to Sanders, Gibbs is still not at his best, but the two get along great.
Sanders said, “David Montgomery has been a fantastic running back in the NFL for a lot of years, and he just added to that by joining this Lions offensive line after leaving the Bears.” “And then you see what Jahmyr Gibbs was able to do last season, really from the time, the last two years that he’s been here, but I thought that last year was more of a breakthrough season for him,” the speaker said.
