Lions linebacker Devin White quickly pushing for a starting role in Detroit’s second level

The Detroit Lions’ early emphasis at linebacker has a clear headline as training camp moves forward, Devin White is already pushing for a starting role in the team’s second level of the defense. White, who signed with Detroit only two weeks prior to the report, has been seeking more than just a rotational spot, and his recent practice involvement suggests the staff is weighing him heavily in its top personnel group.

According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, White has spent the majority of recent practice sessions taking first-team reps. In camp terms, that usually means a player is being evaluated with the unit the coaching staff expects to deploy more often, particularly in base downs and in periods designed to simulate down-to-down responsibilities. The same report indicates White has drawn positive attention from head coach Dan Campbell, an indication that his process and performance are landing with the decision-makers.

The Lions’ linebacker room matters because it sits at the junction between the front and the secondary, translating protection and run fits into coverage support. For a linebacker expected to play a significant share of snaps, training camp reps with the first-team defense are often the most direct route to earning trust, both in the scheme and in the speed of recognition. White’s campaign to win that trust is the focus of the current discussion around Detroit’s defense.

At the same time, the report frames White’s push as something happening during practice rather than as a finalized competition result. Training camps often include fluid rotations, and rep distribution can shift quickly based on package usage, opponent tendencies in joint sessions, and what the staff wants to test in specific coverage looks. While first-team reps are a strong indicator, they are not the same as a depth chart guarantee at the start of the regular season.

There is also a parallel storyline in the defensive backfield that adds context to how the staff is managing personnel across the defense. Birkett’s reporting notes that cornerback Ennis Rakestraw has seen some reps in the slot. That detail matters because linebacker responsibilities often change subtly when nickel packages are in play, with linebackers expected to communicate coverage, adjust to motion, and coordinate underneath leverage with the slot corner.

For Detroit, the practical next step is straightforward, continue to watch who gets first-team looks when the Lions run their most representative defensive periods. If White’s workload with the top group continues to grow or remains consistent deep into camp, it would reinforce the idea that Detroit is leaning his way in the starting lineup. If rep patterns narrow or shift toward other players, White’s push would likely remain a competition to monitor rather than a clear outcome.

Devin White’s situation also reflects the broader reality of late-summer NFL roster-building. One of the clearest ways to establish a role quickly is to show up prepared and pick up assignments fast enough to earn the staff’s confidence during high-leverage practice sequences. As the Lions sort out their second-level alignment, White’s early first-team work makes him a central figure in the internal race for responsibility and snaps.