Bills Central

Buffalo-area All-American underdog talks 'chip on shoulder,' outstanding Bills' pro day

With the NFL dDraft just hours away, University of Buffalo LB Shaun Dolac discusses his rising draft stock and what he could bring to the Bills if they call his name.

Brian Letscher

Buffalo linebacker Shaun Dolac (52) intercepts the ball in the fourth quarter of game against Wisconsin.
Buffalo linebacker Shaun Dolac (52) intercepts the ball in the fourth quarter of game against Wisconsin. / Jovanny Hernandez / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
In this story:

The NFL Draft always has a few heartwarming underdog stories.

The small-school players who never gave up, maybe, worked through injuries, and may get their long dreamed about opportunity to play on Sunday. University of Buffalo LB Shaun Dolac may be one of those players in 2025 and he's excited for the ride ahead.

Sitting down with the team's site, Dolac discussed the rise in his draft stock from undrafted free agent to potential 5th rounder, including his time at the Buffalo Bills' local pro day, "Overall, the whole experience was amazing...just to being the Bills' fieldhouse, see the facility and see what it takes to play in the National Football League."

Despite leading the nation in tackles with 168, 18.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, five interceptions and five pass breakups, Dolac wasn't invited to the NFL combine. At the Bills' pro day, however, he had an unofficial 40 yard time of 4.55, a vertical of 35.5", and 25 reps on the bench press, numbers that would have ranked him in the top seven among linebackers at the combine.

Dolac's draft day plans seem in line with the linebackers approach to the entire pre-draft rollercoaster, "My mom got a nice [rental house]...we're just going to hang out with a couple family friends...no stress. Whatever team decides to pick me they're going to get a blue-collar mentality and chip on my shoulder..."

Sounds like he'd fit in nicely with the Bills' organizational mentality. We'll find out soon enough if he'll have that opportunity.

RELATED: 'Bills On SI' 7-round mock draft features highly-rated safety plus DT double dip

Should Dolac need any motivation, he needs to look only at former UB linebacker Joe Andreessen, another local product, who made the Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2024.

— Enjoy free coverage of the Bills from Buffalo Bills on SI —

More Buffalo Bills News:

Published
Brian Letscher
BRIAN LETSCHER

A Michigan native, Brian graduated from the University of Michigan in another century, where he earned a degree in economics and a Rose Bowl Championship ring while playing football for the Wolverines under Head Coach Gary Moeller. Brian went on to coach Division 1A football for several years before becoming a full-time writer and actor while maintaining an unhealthy interest in sports. He is currently developing a scripted television series, THOSE WHO STAY, based on a series of historical fiction articles he wrote about Bo Schembechler's Michigan football program as they struggle to unite and win the championship - which requires beating #1 Ohio State - during the tumultuous civil rights and anti-war movements of 1969.

Home/News