Isaac Ukwu's journey to the NFL is one of those stories that makes it really easy to root for his success.
While playing at James Madison University, Ukwu tore the ACL in his left knee in a preseason practice in 2019. He then tore the ACL in his right knee a year later.
He made it back on the field in 2021 and was productive for the Dukes. He eventually transferred to Ole Miss in 2023 and signed with Detroit as a free agent after going undrafted. He started at the bottom of the roster in the spring and has steadily worked his way up to being one of the players the team is likely to have serious discussions about when it comes time to trim the roster from 90 players to an initial 53 early next week.
"I told the team this morning, for a number of those guys that there is still open spots here, so if you want it, go get it," Campbell said this week. "I just bring up a guy like Ukwu, man. When he got in here in the spring, he was last on the depth chart, it was, 'Well, where can this guy play? He's not the biggest guy, he's not really a Sam. Is he a defensive end?'
"And he's just steadily gotten better, and better, and better, and he plays much bigger than he is. He plays longer than his length says. Every time we give him an opportunity, he just shows up. He's just an example of some guys that we've got our eyes on. So, there's still some spots available here."
Ukwu is going for a sack in his third straight preseason game when the Lions host the Pittsburgh Steelers in their preseason finale at Ford Field Saturday. He's made plays when given the opportunity. Campbell talks all the time about seeing steady progression from players and that's what we've seen from Ukwu over the last few months.
The team still is looking for pass-rush depth behind Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport. Ukwu is competing for rotational role at the edge with Josh Paschal, James Houston, Mitchell Agude and Mathieu Betts.
View photos from the Detroit Lions practice on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97), Detroit Lions defensive lineman Isaac Ukwu (45) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14), Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive back Brian Branch (32), Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97), Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Ty Summers (25) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46), Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14), Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16), Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike (91) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Parker Hesse (43) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones (19), Detroit Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore (24) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kaden Davis (88) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Graham Glasgow (60) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (11) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jake Funk (36) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (5) during practice at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, MI on August 21, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
"I would be lying if I said (this) was what I expected, but I wouldn't say I impressed myself, either, cause I knew I was a good player," Ukwu said this week. "You just know when you go to the league, you hear all the horror stories and a lot of stuff's out of your control. So, I didn't really have too high of expectations. I just want to keep myself even-keeled, but I'm definitely happy.
"I'm excited to be able to play, and really I think it's a testament to the Lions and the opportunity they give players with not playing their starters in the preseason, really. They give us a chance, cause if I was on another team, I might not have been able to play in the preseason games and I would've never been able to showcase my ability."
