Redford Union senior Devin Lillard approached the offseason with a single goal: Become the top defensive lineman in Division 4 football.
Getting there has required self-reflection and major adjustments, from following a strict diet and committing to the weight room to learning how to study film instead of just admiring his highlights.
In the past, he relied on his natural athleticism and size to overpower offensive linemen. As a second-year starter as a junior, he recorded 55 tackles (12 for loss), 10 sacks and eight forced fumbles, earning first-team all-state honors from the MHSFCA.
Even as an elite player, his coaches always expected more from him. Now, the 6-foot-3, 270-pound defensive end holds those same expectations for himself.
What better time to embrace that accountability? He’s about to be a senior leader on a team chasing its fifth straight Western Wayne Athletic Conference title.
“Honestly, I’m ready for it,” Lillard said during the Panthers’ 7-on-7 tournament on July 26 at Bob Atkins Field. “I’ve worked nonstop all offseason. I couldn’t sleep knowing that it’s all on me, especially this season with my team, knowing all the seniors who are gone. So, I’ve been working, and I’m ready to be that difference-maker now.”
That work has included researching meal plans and teaming with his father to prepare muscle-building meals with chicken, steak, potatoes and rice.
Since November, he has added 20 pounds of muscle and now trains in the weight room daily instead of just three times a week.
He has also embraced team conditioning rather than complaining about it.
“I’ve got to make sure that as I get bigger, I stay explosive,” he said. “The speed is going to drop as I get bigger, but I’ve got to make sure I’ve still got that get-off. That’s all that matters.”
While the on-field results of his transformation are still unfolding, colleges have already noticed his progress.
He’s received offers from Saginaw Valley, Wayne State, Grand Valley and Ferris State, with RU coach Ian Iler expecting Lillard to get Division I interest as soon as higher-rated recruits start making their commitments.
Iler also persuaded Lillard to join the offensive line, noting how playing both ways helped Birmingham Groves four-star Avery Gach, Hometown Life’s 2024 Co-Player of the Year, who’s now at Michigan.
“I told Devin to look at all the top Division I recruits from last year at his position, and they all played both ways,” Iler said. “Not a single O-lineman or D-lineman played only one side of the ball. I said, ‘Remember the dude from Groves? He wasn’t taking no breaks unless they were blowing someone out. You’ve got to be a difference maker like that for us.’ I think if we can run behind him, and he can still go on defense and do his thing, we’re going to be a problem.”
Lillard is still mastering the art of blocking, but his new passion for film study should help him improve as RU nears its season opener against state power Harper Woods on Aug. 29.
“In the past, I’d try to skip over the bad plays that I made and just watch my highlights,” Lillard admitted. “This offseason, and kind of at the end of last season, I noticed that I won’t get good if I don’t watch all the plays. That’s helped me learn things I need to get better on. I don’t need to worry about the things I already do well. I just need to worry about what I’m doing bad so I can perfect it.”
With his body, mind and skills all improving, Lillard isn’t just preparing for his final high school season and, hopefully, reaching his goal. His maturation this offseason should also help him become a difference-maker at the next level.
“I want to be that every-down guy in college, so I just have to stay conditioned,” Lillard said. “My aiming-point right now is to be the best lineman in Division 4 football.”
Brandon Folsom covers high school sports in metro Detroit for Hometown Life. Follow him on his new X.com account at @folsomwrites
This article originally appeared on Hometownlife.com: Does Redford Union have the best D-lineman in Division 4 football?
Reporting by Brandon Folsom, Hometownlife.com / Hometownlife.com
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
