Detroit Lions Da’Shawn Hand got extra attention from Ricky Jean Francois in last years training camp and now he’s paying it forward with this year’s rookies at organized training activities.

Last year, most defenders were working hard to learn the Lions new defensive scheme and veteran Jean Francois — who was familiar with coach Matt Patricia’s scheme — stepped into a leadership role. He would spend time after practice with the defensive lineman helping them understand Patricia’s expectations.

At the beginning of training camp virtually every defensive lineman was working with Jean Francois after practice, patiently waiting in line to learn the technique in the trenches. By training camp practice number nine, Jean Francois was still offering his services and Hand was still there absorbing all that he could.

“It means a lot,” Hand told Dave Birkett of the Free press “It just goes back to me wanting to be better, and then for him (Jean Francois) to take the time to teach me things that I need to do and what not to do, just different things that a rookie wouldn’t see like a vet that’s been through it. He’s just getting me prepared for it.”

Hand would go on to exceed expectations in his rookie season and his work ethic likely played a large role in that success.

Now, almost a year removed from 2018 Training camp, and with a roster that no longer contains Jean Francois, Hand appears to have stepped up his leadership role.

In Chris Burke’s (The Athletic) recap of the first open OTA practice ($) of 2019, he recognized that Hand was spending extra time after practice with Boston College rookie defensive tackle Ray Smith, working on defensive line techniques.

“He’d get down in a 3-point stance, fire up into one of the sled’s dummies and work a club or swim move to the outside,” Burke said. “Next, Smith mimicked him from the opposite side of the line, then Hand talked through the attempts before they did it again. Detroit’s 2018 draft pick appeared to be demonstrating for Smith elements like hand placement and strike point.”

At only 23-year-old, Hand has already worked his way into an impactful role on the field and now with him making a difference behind the scenes, he looks to be stepping into a much larger role on the team.

Hand appears to be the gift that keeps on giving for the Lions.