Title: The Crimson Roar in Honolulu Blue
DETROIT — The Motor City was buzzing long before training camp opened, but on a humid Tuesday morning in Allen Park, the air seemed electrified. Dan Campbell, Detroit Lions’ head coach known for his fiery oratory and belief in grit, stepped up to the podium with a trademark grin. He didn’t mince words.
“That kid from Bama?” he said, voice gravelly from a 5 a.m. film session. “He’s about to have a huge season.”
He was talking about former Alabama All-American linebacker Caleb “The Hammer” Brooks—a name that had quietly simmered beneath the national radar until now. Drafted in the third round in 2023, Brooks spent most of his rookie year adjusting to the NFL’s tempo, contributing primarily on special teams. But 2025? It was shaping up to be his breakout year.
Forged in Tuscaloosa
Brooks was a Nick Saban disciple—coached with surgical precision and hardened in the crucible of SEC Saturdays. At Alabama, he racked up 274 career tackles, 11 sacks, and a reputation for sideline-to-sideline terror. He was named a unanimous All-American in 2022 and helped anchor the Crimson Tide’s vaunted defense to an SEC title that year.
“He’s got that Bama brain,” said Aaron Glenn, Detroit’s defensive coordinator. “You can see it in how he diagnoses plays. The man is practically in the quarterback’s huddle before the snap.”
The Shift
In OTAs, Brooks was everywhere. He clocked a blistering 4.52 in the 40-yard dash and benched 225 pounds for 25 reps. But it wasn’t just the metrics—it was the impact. During a red zone drill, he intercepted veteran QB Jared Goff on a perfectly timed jump route and returned it for a touchdown, juking two tight ends along the way.
“Caleb’s not just learning,” said Campbell. “He’s leading.”
By mid-June, Brooks had earned first-team reps at weak-side linebacker, a spot vacated after Alex Anzalone’s departure. His film study was meticulous; teammates noticed he often beat running backs to their holes before the handoff.
A New Identity
The Lions, already boasting a top-10 offense led by Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown, are counting on defensive tenacity to carry them deeper into the postseason. And Brooks—instinctive, physical, fearless—embodies Detroit’s new identity: blue-collar brilliance.
“He reminds me of a young Ray Lewis,” said linebacker coach Kelvin Sheppard. “Not just the skill, but the fire. He wants to destroy blockers. He wants to chase down screens. He’s relentless.”
The Roar Begins
The NFL world may not be ready, but Detroit is. Lions fans have started wearing crimson-colored sleeves under their jerseys, a nod to Brooks’ Alabama roots. He hasn’t said much—he prefers to let his play do the talking—but when asked about Campbell’s prediction, he gave a rare grin.
“Coach believes in me,” Brooks said. “That’s all I need.”
Week One against the 49ers looms. The Lions’ defense is set to unleash a storm. And at the eye of it stands Caleb Brooks—former Alabama All-American, Detroit’s newest hammer, ready to make the NFL feel the full force of the Crimson Tide.
