Jimmy Rolder Is Already Turning Heads at Detroit Lions OTAs

Jimmy Rolder appears to have started strong at Lions organized team activities.

Former Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder (LB22) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Detroit Lions linebacker Jimmy Rolder is already earning some extra attention, following the first day of organized team activities.

A review of team photos released on social media reveals an offense against defense period that showcases Rolder with the football, seemingly following an interception.

Clues supporters noticed were seeing running back Jacob Saylors (No. 25) on offense and safety Thomas Harper deep in the secondary (No. 12).

Detroit's first practice was not open to the media to observe and report. The first occasion the media will attend Lions' practice will be on Friday.

Appearing on the "Tim Twentyman In The Huddle" podcast, the fourth-round pick expressed what it has been like the first handful of days at the team's Allen Park Performance Center.

Additional Lions Insider Analysis: Jack Campbell's New NFL Contract Includes Salary Cap Trick Used Often

Jimmy Rolder is already turning heads after one OTA practice for Detroit Lions @DetroitPodcast
Photo Credit: Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions pic.twitter.com/aNukzHA40e

— Detroit Lions On SI (@AllLionsFN) May 28, 2026

"It's been great. I mean, getting in here, getting the install, I think that's when I started feeling like I was here," said Rolder. "Once I started really trying to grasp what was going on in the playbook, it was, it's a lot at first for a rookie. But you know, just heads been buried in there ever since."

A former baseball player, the former Michigan Wolverines linebacker was able to use mental skills learned playing a different sport to improve his game, when he decided to play football.

"I definitely learned some skills from baseball, maybe like hand-eye coordination first off. I mean in baseball, you need a lot of that to be successful," said Rolder. "And you know, it teaches you a lot of mental skills, like a next pitch mentality at the plate, or when you make an error in the field, you gotta flush it and just move on to the next play. I really developed that mindset during football, and it really helped me going forward."

Rolder is expected to be a solid special team's contributor early in his career, but should be in competition over the next few years to earn more playing time at linebacker.

"I think I'm just getting started. And that's why what I feel is so exciting, like I have so much to learn still and so much to improve on," said Rolder. "So much that I can improve on, and I just think for me, sky's the limit. So, if I just continue this path working, working every day to get one percent better every day. I'm just excited."

For more comprehensive Detroit Lions coverage and NFL insider analysis, follow us on X, @detroitpodcast, head on over to our Facebook page and give it a like, follow us on TikTok, subscribe to the Detroit Lions On SI Lone Wolves YouTube Channel.