This 280-Pound Rookie DL Pulled a Kip-Up With a 45-Pound Plate and Nobody in the NFL Is Ready For It

This 280-Pound Rookie DL Pulled a Kip-Up With a 45-Pound Plate and Nobody in the NFL Is Ready For It Lions rookie defensive lineman Skyler Gill-Howard dropped some workout footage that’s seriously mind-blowing, hitting a "kip up" with a 45-pound plate on his chest. We’re talking about a 280-pound dude doing a move that’s already tough, and then adding extra weight like it’s nothing. This all went down in a series of three Instagram stories, less than two weeks before players are due to report for training camp.

Wait, What Did Gill-Howard Just Do?!

Seriously, you gotta see this. Gill-Howard, number 50, has been flashing some crazy athleticism and explosiveness, making everyone wonder how that’s gonna translate to his pass rush game. But that final Instagram story? That’s the real jaw-dropper. Executing a "kip up" is already a feat for any athlete, especially someone weighing in at 280 pounds. But Gill-Howard doing it while strapping a 45-pound plate to his chest? That's just next-level insane. Even his teammate, defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo, saw it and had to comment, "boy WTF." That tells you everything you need to know about how wild this move is.

What This Means for the Defensive Line

This kind of ridiculous athleticism from Gill-Howard is already making him an awesome story. The big hope is that this raw power and explosiveness translates directly onto the field. Imagine that kind of agility and strength in the trenches, ready to blow up offensive lines. If he can bring this level of physical dominance to actual game situations, it could absolutely help Detroit’s defensive line take their game to the next level this season. With training camp right around the corner, every rep matters, and Gill-Howard is clearly putting in the work. Second-round pick Derrick Moore is also grinding hard, according to his own posts, showing that the rookie class is pushing for immediate impact.

Beyond the Workouts: Quick Hits

It’s not just the rookies making waves. Larry Borom is seen as a solid upgrade as the primary backup offensive tackle, which is always crucial depth for any squad. Plus, if you’re looking for a deep dive into some Lions history, former Lions quarterback David Blough, now the Commanders’ offensive coordinator, did an hour-long interview where he talked about his time with Jared Goff and coach Dan Campbell. On the national scene, NFL.com’s Kevin Patra is busy examining all the top training camp storylines for the NFC North teams, setting the stage for what’s to come. And a quick note for your binge-watching plans: while Netflix dropped the full season of "Quarterback" on Tuesday, no Lions are featured this year, so you won't find any familiar faces there.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.

Back to blog

Leave a comment