Choice said throughout his coaching career, he's learned from others about certain qualities to look for in running backs, such as agility and movement.
He remembered the first time he scouted Gibbs in-person, and Choice, who recruited Gibbs to Georgia Tech, said he knew Gibbs was a running back — some schools viewed him at defensive back.
"Having the chance to watch (Gibbs) from afar for these last three years, and every single week because of Shep and because of Jah, I kept wanting to watch the Lions' games," Choice said. "To see him progress, to see how smart he is — I tell him he's one of the smartest running backs I've ever coached. He's just a natural football player ... so having an opportunity to get around him now coaching, I'm going to be harder on him even more."
In addition to reuniting with Gibbs, Choice talked how special it is to be on the same staff as Sheppard as the two are both from Atlanta and played together with the Bills and Colts from 2011-13.
Choice talked to Sheppard every day while at Georgia Tech and Texas as he witnessed Sheppard's rise through the Lions' coaching staff from outside linebackers coach in 2021 to defensive coordinator this offseason.
"You can see his intent, you can see his development as a football coach," Choice said. "That's one of the things that drew me in here because I'd seen one of my closest friends who started from ground zero, to see where he's at right now, it's the coolest thing alive."