Riley Reiff Riley Reiff ( born December 1 , 1988 ) is an American football offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions . He is one of the top ranked offensive tackles of his class and was a first - round selection in the 2012 NFL Draft . High school career . Reiff attended Parkston High School in Parkston , South Dakota , where he was a two - way lineman . In fact , he was listed as a three - star defensive end prospect by " Rivals . com " in 2008 . Reiff chose Iowa over offers from Minnesota and Nebraska . College career . After redshirting his initial year at Iowa , Reiff started 11 of 13 games on the Hawkeyes ' offensive line — three at left tackle , seven at left guard and final game at right tackle . He was named third team Freshman All - America by " College Football News " . In his sophomore year , Reiff replaced Bryan Bulaga at left tackle , starting all 13 games of the season . He was named second team All - Big Ten by league coaches and media . A preseason All - American , Reiff started all 13 games at left tackle in his junior season as well . He was named All - Big Ten by coaches and media , as well as All - American by " Pro Football Weekly " , which evaluates players on NFL prospects and draft value rather just college production . On January 4 , 2012 , only a few days after Iowa ' s loss in the 2011 Insight Bowl , Reiff announced his decision to forgo his final year of eligibility at Iowa , entering the 2012 NFL Draft . Professional career . 2012 NFL Draft . Already prior to his junior season , Reiff has been projected as a potential first round NFL Draft . In October 2011 , " Sports Illustrated " ′ s Tony Pauline ranked him as the No . 14 prospect on his midseason draft board . Prior to the NFL Combine in February 2012 , Reiff was still perceived as a top - 15 pick . At the combine , Reiff displayed decent athleticism but disappointed with his measureables ; his arms — although longer than those of Joe Thomas ( ) and Jake Long ( ) — were deemed too short for an NFL left tackle . As a result , Reiff dropped out of the first round in some post - combine mock drafts . However , Mike Mayock still ranked him the No . 2 offensive tackle , behind Matt Kalil , after the combine , just as he did prior to the combine . Reiff was drafted by the Lions at 23rd overall . He was the second of only two offensive tackles selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft ( behind Matt Kalil ) . 2012 Season . Reiff ' s duties in his rookie campaign were limited to that of a blocking tight end / H - back . Reiff had one start at the left tackle position coming in the teams Thanksgiving day matchup against the Houston Texans . Despite his limited role in the 2012 season Reiff was rated as the Lions top run blocker by Pro Football Focus . Reiff is slated to takeover the left tackle position in the 2013 season from retired Lions mainstay Jeff Backus . To prepare for his expanded duties Reiff has added 12 - 15 pounds of muscle to better handle the defensive end heavy NFC North opponents . Personal . While an incoming freshman at Iowa , Reiff was charged with public intoxication , being arrested only after a 20 minute foot chase through downtown Iowa City , Iowa .