Josh Paschal Is ‘Thankful for the Lions’

Excessive character. Excessive motor. 

It is the phrase on the road concerning the Detroit Lions’ 2022 second-round draft choose, Josh Paschal.

The 6-foot-3, 278-pound defensive finish, as a former three-time captain on the College of Kentucky, seems to be an ideal match for the locker room that Dan Campbell & Co. try to construct within the Motor Metropolis. 

Campbell and Detroit normal supervisor Brad Holmes have made a concerted effort so as to add guys with robust management qualities since taking on their respective jobs with the Lions a yr in the past. 

Paschal not solely was the primary three-time captain within the historical past of the Wildcats soccer program, however he additionally battled and beat a scare with most cancers as a sophomore at UK. 

It helped him earn additional respect from his Kentucky teammates, which is one thing he talked about Saturday throughout his rookie minicamp press convention. 

“I all the time had respect from everyone, so far as main by instance, ever since I used to be a freshman. However, it was once I went by way of my most cancers prognosis my sophomore yr. I went by way of that, they usually noticed how I carried myself and the way I pushed myself to my restrict throughout that point, but additionally helped encourage others, as nicely,” Paschal advised reporters. “And so, I used to be capable of earn the fellows’ respect much more from that. And, guys began to look as much as me.” 

Paschal did not know if he would ever even play soccer once more after his most cancers prognosis in 2018. So, to him, being given the chance to play within the NFL is “a blessing.”  

“After we stroll out to the ability and also you come out right here and see all of the Lions stuff, all of the blue, you understand, I am training within the NFL,” Paschal stated. “Man, it makes me wish to shed a tear, as a result of you have to assume, in 2018, individuals did not assume I used to be going to play soccer once more. On the finish of the day, I used to be combating one thing fully completely different than soccer. And so to be out right here and be capable to observe, it is a blessing. So, I am grateful for that and grateful for the Lions for taking a shot on me.”

The Wildcats product is anticipated to be a difference-maker in opposition to the run instantly, and he affords Detroit with a strong diploma of versatility, with the power to line up in each a 4-3 and 3-4 defensive scheme. 

Paschal, himself, believes that he’ll be capable to play all throughout the line of defense for the Lions. 

“I believe I match as that man, a giant man, a giant defensive finish,” he expressed. “That is what we’re known as, and I really feel like I can play throughout that entrance, however particularly on the sting. Or even when I’ve to kick inside for the run sport, I can try this, too, and for the cross sport. So, I really feel like I will be a flexible piece on that protection.”