By Blessing 
When it comes to grit, hustle, and pure heart on the football field, Dan Campbell knows exactly what he’s looking for—and it seems like Grant Stuard fits the mold perfectly.
The Detroit Lions head coach recently showered praise on Stuard, the team’s newest special teams weapon, and it sounds like the energetic linebacker might be wearing a few hats in Detroit this upcoming season.
The Ultimate Utility Player
Campbell didn’t hold back when asked what stands out about Stuard.
“Stuard can do it all, man,” Campbell said, as quoted by Pride of Detroit. “He’s a guy that’s been counted out. But just continues to make plays in this league. He’s a dynamic special teams player in my opinion. And he can play defense. I mean, he played defense against us.”
Coming from Campbell—a coach who’s made a name for himself by championing gritty, versatile players who never take a play off—that’s serious respect. It’s clear that Stuard’s relentless effort and ability to impact multiple phases of the game has already made an impression on the coaching staff.
A Surprise Role on Offense?
Here’s where things get a little more intriguing. While Stuard’s known primarily for his special teams and defensive contributions, Campbell teased the possibility of an even broader role.
“This guy is an unbelievable special teams player, and he played defense, too. And maybe offense,” Campbell said.
Yes, you read that right. Don’t be too surprised if No. 15 finds himself lined up on the offensive side of the ball in a pinch—maybe even as a fullback in a goal-line situation. With Campbell’s flair for creativity and love for hard-nosed, old-school football, a curveball like this would be right up his alley.
If anyone embodies the “do whatever it takes” mindset that Campbell values, it’s Stuard. Whether it’s flying down the field on kick coverage, stepping in on defense, or maybe even clearing a path for a touchdown, Stuard’s versatility could end up being one of the Lions’ secret weapons this season.