Intelligence, Ambition Among Attributes That Attracted Lions To Laken Tomlinson
By Ashley Dunkak
@AshleyDunkak
ALLEN PARK - To say that new Detroit Lions guard Laken Tomlinson took a nontraditional path to the NFL would probably qualify as an understatement.
Tomlinson, whom the Lions selected with the 28th overall pick of the draft Thursday, moved from Jamaica at age 11, and he knew nothing about football. He played soccer, because that was all there was in Jamaica, and he only picked up "American football" later at the urging of his uncle.
Sports were hardly Tomlinson's only passion, however; when he was a teenager, he commuted an hour and half each way every day - walking, then taking a train, then taking a bus - so he could go to a better high school, the one that he wanted to attend.
When it was time to pick a college, Tomlinson chose Duke, only one of the most prestigious universities in the country, and he graduated in December with degrees in evolutionary anthropology and psychology.
Eventually, Tomlinson wants to go to medical school and become a neurosurgeon, but first he will play guard for the Lions. Tomlinson will likely be an immediate starter for the team since veteran guard Rob Sims, who has started for Detroit the last five years and hit free agency after the 2014 season, has yet to re-sign with the team.
The Lions spent some time with Tomlinson at the Senior Bowl, and when they interviewed him, they were impressed.
"It doesn't take you very long to see that he's a very bright young man," Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said Thursday night at the team's headquarters in Allen Park. "It doesn't take you very long to see that he also has grit, meaning that he had to come through a number of things to get where he is today.
"He's one of those guys his intangibles are off the charts," Caldwell added. "He is one of those guys that I think has done a tremendous job just elevating himself from some difficult circumstances and showed a lot of grit and determination in terms of just becoming who he wanted to be, and I think he's still in search of that and still working toward that, but he'll grow and develop and certainly, I think, be a real strong teammate for us."
Tomlinson started 52 games for Duke, which Lions general manager Martin Mayhew appreciated.
"The experience, the different looks those guys have seen, the ability to stay healthy, the durability - somebody told me a while back, 'The most important ability is availability,' and those guys that can start 50 games, that's pretty impressive," Mayhew said.
The Lions liked what they saw on the field from Tomlinson from the beginning of their scouting process.
"The college grades we had on him were outstanding," Mayhew said. "Our college director Scotty saw him, Scotty McEwen saw him, [scout] Chad Henry, that was one of Chad's schools, I did a lot of work on him, [offensive line coach] Jeremiah Washburn did as well. So he's a phenomenal talent.
"He's a good run blocker," Mayhew continued. "He's a big, physical guy, he's a good pass protection guy, too, but he can definitely help in the run game."
Tomlinson, who joined Detroit reporters on a teleconference shortly after the Lions selected him, provided a more specific description of what he brings to a team.
"I think my strengths are I play with great physical fundamentals, I play with low pad leverage, I get good push on defensive linemen, I play really light on my feet, and I play - I'm one hell of a player," Tomlinson said. "My work ethic is 125 percent, and I'm going to wear my guys out."
Caldwell noted the player's smarts as another one of his assets.
"One of the things I think you find that's extremely important to all offensive linemen is the fact that they have to be able to think and think quickly on their feet," Caldwell said. "And when you have guys that have the kind of intelligence you're looking for, they can make quick adjustments because things do change for them rather quickly ... pass rushing stunts and things of that nature, but also the looks in itself. They shift at the last moment, they have to be able to make adjustments in a nanosecond, and I think the more guys that you have that can adjust quickly, the better off you'll be."
Tomlinson said he got the news the Lions had drafted him from Caldwell, who called him, and he was speechless. Tomlinson had no idea which team would draft him, and he did not know the Lions were so interested, he said. Needless to say, of course, he was thrilled.
"Having that moment, hearing my name being called, it's just amazing," Tomlinson said. "It's like a dream come true, really. Walking across that stage has deeply impacted my life - not only my life but my family's life and everyone that I've been connected to since I've been here in the United States and everyone back home in Jamaica, so it's really been a tremendous night, and I'm just so happy."
