Breaking down the most notable moments from the 2025 NFL Combine media sessions with the defensive linemen.
The Detroit Lions are likely to be active this offseason when it comes to improving their defensive line. As general manager Brad Holmes said during this Tuesday press conference at the NFL Combine , the game is won in the trenches.
“I think I made it pretty clear that the trenches are always going to be a priority for us,” Holmes said. “I just think that’s where the game is won. Dan (Campbell) and I are aligned on that and you just can never really have enough of those guys.”
On Wednesday, the first NFL Combine player media sessions began with the defensive linemen and linebackers. I saddled up to a handful of draft hopefuls to better get to know them on a personal level. Here are the prospects I watched, and the general vibes I got from them.
Defensive linemen
Marshall EDGE Mike Green
Green was one of the first press conferences of the morning, and also one of the most notable. During his 20-minute session, he faced well over a dozen questions about rumors surrounding his dismissal from Virginia. Rumors had surfaced of sexual assault allegations both during his high school and college years. Green did not shy away from the topic, answering all of the questions asked of him.
In short, Green unequivocally denied all of the allegations. He did admit that there were two incidents he was accused of. The first, in high school, involved an investigation that was eventually dropped. The second was an anonymous report that resulted in his suspension from Virginia’s football team, but was never investigated. He then chose to enter the transfer portal and eventually landed with Marshall.
Green says of the rumors that have been going around, “It’s just talk online, and it’s only people that don’t really know what happened”
I’m not going to bother to speculate what happened and whether he’s telling the truth. However, after talking to some other reporters who have covered the NFL Combine for years, what’s notable is that Green actually faced the media and answered questions. Almost every prospect with off-field rumors either avoid the NFL Combine media session entirely or shut down questions about it.
When it comes to football, Green spoke a lot about how his wrestling background helped him overcome some of the “undersized” labels he gets (6-foot-3, 251 pounds).
“It definitely helps out a lot. My advice to all the kids in high school is to go wrestle,” Green said. “Not only for the advantages that you get but to also go out there and compete. I kinda felt it was soothing and mentally challenging for me to go out there and compete against guys you’re going one-on-one with.”
Green said he did meet with the Lions.
Michigan EDGE Josiah Stewart
There was a big Michigan contingent of media at Stewart’s media session, so naturally there were a lot of questions about the program, Jim Harbaugh, Ohio State , and the rest of college football. However, he did speak briefly on what the opportunity to play alongside Aidan Hutchinson would be like.
“It would be great. That guy’s a beast,” Stewart said. “I wouldn’t complain at all playing against Hutch. A great guy to learn from, a great culture to be in.”
As far as his football answers, I thought his best one was regarding his strengths: “my violence and my effort.
“Pass rushers rarely win their rushes on their first move. So that second move, that third move, that tenacity just to keep getting to the quarterback.”
I asked Stewart what was the most important part of this week, and while he initially gave a fairly boilerplate answer of “everything,” I really liked the rest of his answer, which focused on making sure he’s enjoying the ride.
“Soaking in the moment. You don’t get a chance like this often, speaking in front of you guys, being in this environment. It’s a great feeling and not everyone gets the chance of doing this.”
Stewart said he had informal meetings with the Lions both at the NFL Combine and the Senior Bowl .
Georgia EDGE Mykel Williams
The big reveal from Williams’ press conference was his health. He won’t be doing drills at the NFL Combine because of a lingering ankle injury he suffered in the season opener. The injury not only caused him to miss over a month of football, but even when he returned, Williams estimated he was never more healthy than 60-70%.
“I never was healthy. I actually re-injured it multiple times throughout the year. I didn’t practice until the Texas game. I was messed up pretty bad,” Williams said.
While Williams knows he has so much more to put out there on tape, he knows even being out there on the field through injury is going to play well with NFL teams—and he even mentioned the Detroit buzzword: grit.
“I have a different type of grit about myself that I can push through pain. No matter how I’m feeling, I’m still going to get it done. The teams—the 11 that I did (meet with)—they said most guys would, in the position I was in, would’ve sat down… I still played, got out there with my guys. So they respect that about me.”
Texas A&M EDGE Nic Scourton
I missed the majority of Scourton’s presser, but on a personal note, the defender showed up to the podium with a medallion with a photo of his uncle in the middle, which I thought was a nice touch.
Texas A&M DL Nic Scourton wearing a photo of his late uncle, Harold, affectionately known as Hag, on a chain at the NFL Combine. Says he was like a father figure to him while his dad was incarcerated, “he gave me the strength to be who I am, and he believed in me.” pic.twitter.com/KtOlxc9sui
— Madelyn Burke (@MadelynBurke) February 26, 2025
Maryland DT Jordan Phillips
Unfortunately, the defensive tackles were running way late and when some finally started to show up (after many presumed they had silently cancelled) I was on lunch break. But Phillips was able to go before then, and he was worth the wait.
Something about the way Phillips carried himself reminds me of Kelvin Sheppard. The way he talks, the way he gives you intense but kind eye contact when talking, and just overall poise. At one point, he even stopped a reporter in an endearing moment.
“I apologize, sir. Women first, please. Ladies first. Yes, ma’am?”
He also mirrored Sheppard’s philosophy of selflessness and team success trickling down to individual success.
“Football is the ultimate competitive team sport. So going out there playing hard for my teammates and us collectively thinking that way, that’s what makes me go hard every day. That’s the reason why I make it a habit of spending extra time in the film room, on the field. I do those things that way, the program I’m a part of, we have success together. Because when there’s program success, there’s individual success.”
Phillips immediately mentioned Alim McNeill among other NFL defensive tackles he looks up to, called him a “great player,” and said he would like to play alongside him.