ASU Football: JoJo Wicker signs with Detroit Lions

Former ASU football defensive end JoJo Wicker is signing with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent.

Wicker elected to forgo his senior year at Arizona State and enter the 2018 NFL Draft. Despite not getting drafted in one of the seven rounds, he received a quick opportunity to go prove himself in the Motor City.

Multiple sources on social media confirmed the Lions’ pick-up of Wicker on Saturday afternoon shortly after the conclusion of the NFL Draft.

Wicker totaled 102 tackles, 32 for loss, 12.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles in his three-year career as a Sun Devil. His 13 tackles for a loss led the team in the 2017 season.

After a lackluster defensive season by the Lions, Wicker has a chance to improve their front right away. Detroit ranked 21st in team defense and allowed 1,800 yards on the ground.

The 6-foot-2, 296-pound defensive end is a true run stopper. He is competitive and has active hands to shed blocks while getting after the ball carrier and can also get the job done as a pass rusher.

Detroit is in desperate need of a pass rush and the interior defensive line is very thin after the loss of Haloti Ngata to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Wicker will be joined by three other rookie defensive linemen in Detroit training camp. The Lions drafted Da’Shawn Hand out of Alabama in the fourth Round and also picked up Michael Hill (Ohio State) and Josh Fatu (USC).

Next: 2018 NFL Draft Profile: Defensive End JoJo Wicker

Detroit will be looking to revamp its defense with defensive-minded new head coach Matt Patricia at the helm. If Wicker fixes the concerns about his frame and weight in his midsection, he has a great chance to make the Lions roster as a solid rotational, interior rusher come August.