DETROIT -- There’s more than one Isaac on the Detroit Lions roster making a name for himself in training camp, as the lesser-discussed Isaac Ukwu is mounting a strong push for a spot on the 53-man roster.
During Saturday’s 24-17 preseason loss to the Miami Dolphins, Ukwu showcased his versatility by sliding inside on multiple snaps, picking up a sack, and proving he can hold his ground against the run. A big part of that growth came from an offseason weight gain, as he added roughly 10 pounds of what he called “hefty, better weight,” bringing him up to about 270 pounds.
“I just wanted to be stronger, honestly,” Ukwu said. “Looking back at some of the games last year, I wasn’t very firm setting the edge, especially against Minnesota. That was the main thing, and being able to play inside was kind of a byproduct of that.”
That versatility has fit seamlessly into the aggressive scheme of new Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard, which has emphasized pressure looks throughout camp and the preseason. Ukwu said the constant blitzing and movement reflect Sheppard’s fiery personality and put players in a position to make plays on any given snap.
“It’s very indicative of Coach Shep’s personality,” he said. “He’s a fiery guy, very ‘coming at you’ type of guy. So it definitely shows in the way he calls it. But I love it. I think it’s fun.
It’s hype to be moving around, and it definitely puts everybody in a position to make plays. Any given down, you can make plays because you’re always slanting and blitzing and things like that, so it was really cool.”
Ukwu’s progress hasn’t been happenstance. Admitting he wasn’t strong enough to set the edge last year, the 26-year-old defender dedicated his offseason to spending more time in the weight room with Lions strength and conditioning coach Josh Schuler.
On top of that, Ukwu also worked with team dietitians, which helped him build a plan to add good weight and become more powerful -- something that is already paying dividends. He’s now stronger at the point of attack, and the change has given him confidence to handle multiple roles on the line.
“I feel like I’ve been able to hold the edge firmer, and my power rushes look a lot better this year,” he said. “It definitely helped.”
Measured in his self-assessment, Ukwu said his camp has been up and down but trending in the right direction. With time ticking away, he’s focused on making the most of this week heading into the preseason finale against the Houston Texans -- with plans to stick to what’s working in hopes of cementing his role in Detroit.
“I feel like I want to keep building upon that and keep getting better and better, like I did last year in the preseason and throughout the season,” he said. “I’ve definitely been getting better, more comfortable, and more confident with how I’ve been playing.”
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our [User Agreement](https://www.advancelocal.com/advancelocalUserAgreement/user-agreement.html) and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our [Privacy Policy.](https://www.advancelocal.com/advancelocalUserAgreement/privacy-policy.html)