We are less than two weeks away from being directly in the thick of the 2025 NFL Draft. This year is arguably the biggest draft for the Buffalo Bills in a few years, as it will be a key draft class in reloading their roster.
Combined with the offseason that focused on extending their key young players, it will be a key cog in setting them up to remain successful over the next few seasons; while also vying for the elusive Lombardi Trophy.
The Bills have been giving us tons of news lately about prospect meetings and top-30 visits. Now, a prospect right in their backyard attended their local Pro Day on Friday, April 11, and reportedly shined. It was University of Buffalo linebacker, Shaun Dolac. Bills reporter Ryan Talbot said his sources used the term “balled out,” to describe Dolac’s performance at the Bills local pro day.
The West Seneca, New York native is a guy many Bills fans are familiar with and have been clamoring for since the draft cycle started. He’s a five-year UB product who’s appeared in 49 games totaling 391 tackles, 42 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, 6 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, and 12 passes defended. Last year, he had a massive season and earned All-American honors. He broke out with 168 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and 5 interceptions.
The 6’1” 225lbs linebacker was the first player in UB football history to be named a first-team All-American. The born-and-raised Western New Yorker led the entire NCAA in total tackles last season, yet didn’t even receive an invite to participate in the NFL Combine in February.
It was a massive snub for not only the player but the NFL. Despite that, he’s received plenty of interest thus far around the league. He’s reportedly had over ten zoom meetings and seven personal meetings with teams ahead of the draft.
Luckily for the Bills, they’ve had a front-row seat to watching Dolac evolve into one of the best linebackers in college football. The unnecessary snubbing could be pay dirt for both the Bills and Dolac. The team will be looking to add more depth at linebacker, and they could find themselves landing Dolac in round five or later. Snagging a player of his stature would be a massive win for general manager Brandon Beane.
The Bills have Matt Milano and Terrel Bernard penciled in as starters for next season at linebacker obviously, but they still need to add. Dorian Williams is the only depth option that is trustworthy, and Milano is now set to be a free agent next offseason. While fellow Western New Yorker, and now legend, Joe Andreessen made the team last year, he is still developing.
The Bills drafted Edefuan Ulofoshio last year, but they don’t know what they have in him. Taking a shot on Dolac makes too much sense. It also allows him to write his own legendary Buffalo native story.
Imagine what it’s like to grow up in a hardcore football place like Buffalo, where everyone lives and breathes Bills football. You go on to become one of the best players in college football and earn All-American honors representing your hometown college. Now, on draft night, your hometown professional team, the Buffalo Bills, call your name and draft you.
It’s a potentially incredible football story, that Brandon Beane can gift football fans everywhere. Dolac has helped his case with his impressive outing in Buffalo.