Lions add trio of UFL receivers, including a former Michigan Wolverine
Allen Park — Feeling light at wide receiver heading into the summer lull between mandatory minicamp and the start of training camp late next month, the Detroit Lions added three from the UFL, signing Lucky Jackson, Tarik Black and Tay Martin.
Jackson, the six-foot, 185-pounder, went undrafted out of Western Kentucky in 2020. As a senior at the school, he posted 94 receptions for 1,133 yards and four scores.
After short stints in the CFL, Jackson turned into an All-XFL performer for the DC Defenders in 2023. That led to an opportunity with the Minnesota Vikings, where he spent parts of three seasons on the team’s practice squad. He was elevated to appear in three regular season games and was primarily used on special teams in those contests.
Jackson joined the Louisville Kings of the UFL for the spring season and recorded 32 grabs for 392 yards in 10 games.
Black, the former Michigan Wolverine, went undrafted in 2021 after wrapping up his college career at Texas.
In the years since, Black has bounced around five practice squads, most recently with Miami. The Lions got an up-close look at the receiver during joint practices last offseason.
After Black’s release last August, he wound up pairing with Jackson in Louisville, where the 6-foot-3, 217-pounder hauled in 27 passes for 388 yards and a trio of touchdowns.
Black has just one NFL regular season appearance under his belt, recording a 10-yard catch for the Jets in 2021.
The 6-foot-1, 184-pound Martin played collegiately at Washington State and Oklahoma State, going undrafted in 2022.
Martin has spent time on rosters in San Francisco, Tennessee and Washington before suiting up for the Columbus Aviators this spring.
Martin's 42 receptions ranked third in the UFL last season and his 483 yards were seventh in the league.
Leaving no stone unturned is the kind of optimism I want running this franchise. You might only find half of what you’re looking for, but you’ll find nothing by not looking. That’s my creed.
These 3 receivers have zero chance of making the 53 man roster. They are camp bodies fighting for a shot at the PS. I have a better chance of having a period than any of them making the roster.