Rare 10 percent: Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins said Wednesday 90 percent of college football players do the same things and are good players, but then there's that 10 percent who go above and beyond trying to be great. Higgins said former Iowa teammate and current Lions MIKE linebacker Jack Campbell was the best example of that he's ever been around.
No drastic changes: The Lions had the No. 1 scoring offense in the NFL last season and new offensive coordinator John Morton doesn't plan to make any drastic changes to the scheme or playbook this season.
"I think it's going to be a lot of carryover," he said Tuesday. "I think it'd be a little bit crazy if you didn't continue to do what players (like)."
Disney On Ice: South Carolina linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. talked about trying to cover Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs in space. Knight played with Gibbs at Georgia Tech in 2020 and 2021.
"If you go and watch one of the Disney On Ice plays that's what it looked like, with the majority of us linebackers out there trying to guard Jahmyr Gibbs in one-on-ones," Knight said. "Occasionally you would stay with him on some of them, but he'd still find a way to catch the ball just with his acceleration."
Next in line: Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter wasn't shy about telling all the reporters assembled for his media session Wednesday that he's the next great NFL edge rusher to come out of Penn State. Penn State has produced some good pass rushers in recent drafts including Chop Robinson and Micah Parsons, and Carter said he's next in line.
Big man goals: Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant played at 345 pounds for the Wolverines this year but said Wednesday he's down to 332 here at the Combine. He said he feels more agile, faster and stronger at 332. His goal is to run the 40-yard dash in 4.8 or 4.9 seconds and produce more than 30 reps on the bench press.
Ghost move: This past season, Boston College edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku (6-2, 247) was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year after he led the conference in tackles for loss (21) and sacks (16.5). He was asked Wednesday about his ghost move, which has been made famous by Von Miller.
"The Ghost, it's a move not everyone can do," he said. "I'm blessed enough to have that ability, the hip mobility and the bend to do that. It's just a changeup. I wouldn't say it's my go-to move but when you're going against a taller, bigger tackle, it's a move that can work in our favor."
Banning the tush push: Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said he needs to do more research on the potential banning of the tush push play made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles but he confirmed to reporters this week the Packers were the team that submitted a rule change trying to ban the play.
"We're not very successful against it, I know that," Gutekunst said.
Mr. do-it-all: Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell is one of the most versatile players in this draft class. He had 117 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks for Alabama last season. He said Wednesday teams have talked to him about his versatility and potential ability to play the WILL, MIKE or SAM at the NFL level. He can't wait to show teams his ability to cover in space and down the field when drills begin for the linebackers Thursday in Indianapolis.
Tape vs. measurables: Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham isn't going to wow teams with his measurables or physical stature, but throw on the tape and he dominates the game with his strength, physicality and motor. The former wrestler plays with great leverage and lives in the opponent's backfield. He's a great example of why teams always trust the tape over the measurables at the Combine.
Playing catch: Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart is from Miami and had a good story about playing catch with Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
"There was one time, when I was younger, I was kinda obsessed with playing receiver. And my best friend at the time played quarterback, and Teddy Bridgewater and my best friend had the same trainer, so I got to catch a couple balls from Teddy Two Gloves. My hands hurt for a couple days, though.
"He's a big figure in our city. He came back to the city after he took a break from the NFL. Came back, brought a state championship to Northwest. I mean, that's a great guy. He's a great guy in the community."
