Nearly six decades passed with Lance Alworth standing alone.
Since 1968, no former Arkansas wide receiver had matched Alworth’s benchmark of six receiving touchdowns in an NFL season. For years, it felt like one of those records destined to gather dust forever, the kind fans assumed would remain untouched until football itself changed beyond recognition. Then came Isaac TeSlaa.
A Record Thought Untouchable
Quietly, without much fanfare, the Arkansas alum became the first former Razorback wideout since Alworth to reach six receiving touchdowns in a single NFL season. He did it not as a featured star, but as a rookie still carving out his role, in a season that offered Detroit more frustration than celebration.
The Detroit Lions’ playoff hopes officially ended with a 23–10 loss to Minnesota, putting a hard stop to a year that never quite met expectations. But even as the season faded, TeSlaa emerged as one of its few bright spots.
Drafted 70th overall in the third round, TeSlaa wasn’t the kind of name expected to chase history. Some questioned the pick at the time, unsure whether the former Razorback had the ceiling to make an impact in a crowded receiver room. Lions general manager Brad Holmes believed otherwise and that belief now looks justified in the early going.
TeSlaa finished his rookie campaign with 15 receptions for 221 yards and six touchdowns, averaging an impressive 14.7 yards per catch. That average ranked second among Detroit receivers, underscoring his efficiency and big-play dependability. More remarkably, his six touchdowns came on just 15 catches, a scoring rate that highlights how dangerous he was when opportunities arose as a marquee red zone threat for the playoff contender.
Those six scores also set a franchise rookie record for the Lions, as TeSlaa found the end zone in six different games. In a down year for Detroit, his ability to consistently produce in limited snaps stood out.
A Bright Spot for Detroit Lions and Arkansas
The Alworth comparison makes the accomplishment even more striking. Historically, Razorbacks receivers who reach the NFL often settle into supporting roles, contributing as blockers, special teamers, or bouncing between rosters. To match a touchdown mark once held exclusively by a Pro Football Hall of Famer was something few around Fayetteville ever expected, especially with how under the radar of a talent TeSlaa was considered.
Yet TeSlaa made it look almost accidental, as if he simply showed up, ran his routes, and stumbled into history along the way because of how scarce he played with the amount of limited snaps he received.
Within Detroit’s offense, TeSlaa flashed the potential to be a reliable No. 3 option behind established playmakers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. His chemistry, awareness in the red zone, and ability to capitalize on limited targets gave the Lions something valuable to build on with endless amounts of talent on the offensive side of the ball.
For Arkansas alumni and fans, TeSlaa’s season offered a rare point of pride in an otherwise difficult year. He represented proof that Razorback receivers can still leave a mark at the highest level, even nearly 6 decades after Alworth set the standard.
Now, the questions shift from surprise to expectation. With added opportunities and another offseason to grow, TeSlaa’s role could expand within one of the NFL’s most talented offenses. What began as a questioned third-round selection has quickly turned into one of Detroit’s more intriguing young pieces that could be a big part of the offense going forward in 2026 and beyond.