The Detroit Lions brought in a fresh batch of undrafted free agents after the 2025 NFL Draft — and one name starting to rise to the top is former Grand Valley State safety Ian Kennelly.
While two of the original UDFA signings (Caden Pierskorn and Leif Fautanu) are no longer with the team, eight players remain in the mix, including Kennelly, who has quietly built momentum in Allen Park. He’s now in a tight battle for a potential backup role behind starting safety Kerby Joseph.
Lions safeties coach Jim O’Neil made it clear that nothing is set in stone. Kennelly is competing with seventh-rounder Dan Jackson, along with Morice Norris and Loren Strickland, for what could be just one available roster spot — especially with veteran Avonte Maddox getting some work at safety.
On paper, it’s an uphill climb. But the Lions have a history of giving Division II players a real shot. Just look at Anthony Pittman (Wayne State) and Trevor Nowaske (Saginaw Valley State), who both stepped up last season amid injuries. That precedent bodes well for Kennelly, a Macomb, Michigan native with a chip on his shoulder.
During his six-year college career, Kennelly put up impressive numbers: 174 tackles, 19 pass breakups, 8 interceptions, and multiple forced turnovers in 49 games. In 2024 alone, he racked up 64 tackles and 3 picks, earning first-team All-GLIAC honors for the second straight year.
He’s known as a technically sound tackler with sharp instincts, especially in open field situations. His ball skills and short-area explosiveness stand out. While he’s not elite in man coverage and lacks top-end sideline-to-sideline range, his physical traits and intelligence seem to fit the mold of what the Lions want on the back end.
Kennelly still has work to do, but if he keeps stacking good days in practice, he might just be the latest D2 success story in Detroit.
Lions UDFA Ian Kennelly Making Strong Push for Roster Spot Behind Kerby Joseph
