Picture this: a 225-pound linebacker from Buffalo, straight outta the Mid-American Conference (MAC), turning heads and snapping necks at his Pro Day like he’s got a personal vendetta against every scout who dared to sleep on him. Leading the nation in tackles, snagging six sacks, grabbing five picks, breaking records, earning All-American status, and the so-called “experts” at the NFL Combine just straight-up ghost him by the NFL Combine? That’s like throwing a no-hitter and still getting benched. Nah, not a whisper. But that’s just the beginning. What happens next? Well, let’s just say the NFL’s about to have their plans flipped on their heads potentially exposing the Detroit Lions and New England Patriots draft plan.
Shaun Dolac came from the mud. The West Seneca native started his college football journey as a walk-on at the University at Buffalo. No star rating, no hype, just pure grit. And now, five years later, he’s the program’s first-ever consensus All-American—an honor not even Khalil Mack pulled off. But somehow, he still ain’t got invited to the Senior Bowl, Shrine Bowl, or NFL Combine. Wild, right? Dolac was the only All-American entering the Draft who didn’t get that golden ticket to the Combine. The disrespect was real. But instead of sulking and dipping into BiG 4 firms for an accounting job, the Dolac went all out at his Pro Day. And boy, did he put on a show. The type of show that gets scouts double-checking their notes and wondering if they just messed up big-time.
Shocking the nation’s leading tackler, with more interceptions than Travis Hunter, might be good at football.
4.55 40 at his Pro Day, faster than 11 LBs at the NFL Combine; Dolac wasn’t invited to the NFL Combine. https://t.co/Gi1b8c05B3
— Rico Rico (@Ricoknowstiktok) March 16, 2025
At his Pro Day, Dolac put on a clinic. The man clocked an unofficial 40-time of 4.55, banged out 25 reps on the bench press, and soared with a 35.5-inch vertical. Oh, and let’s not forget his footwork—sharp as a Katana. According to an NFL Draft Diamonds writer, Dolac was pegged as an undrafted free agent before his Pro Day, but after that performance? Scouts now got him climbing to a fifth-round prospect. “I guess everybody kind of saw how fast I can run,” Dolac said while staying humble.
Now here’s where it gets spicy. Patriots and Lions are apparently licking their chops over this kid. Sports Illustrated’s Christian Booher’s mock draft got the Buffalo Bills eyeing him for the seventh round, while Doug Kyed from the Boston Herald has the New England Patriots considering snatching him up in the same round. But the way, Dolac’s stock is rising. They might need to bump those plans up real quick. The kid’s gone from undraftable to a solid fifth-round prospect faster than a hiccup.
So why’s everyone suddenly geeking out over this linebacker? Simple. Dolac led the nation in tackles with a school-record 168. Toss in 18.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, five 5 (More than Travis Hunter for the context), and five pass breakups, and you’ve got a walking nightmare for any offense. He even bagged the Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year award and got named a Consensus All-American. Let’s not forget the MAC Defensive Player of the Week title he snagged five times.
And while the world slept on Shaun Dolac, the Patriots and Detroit Lions kept their eyes wide open. New England’s defense is trying to get its groove back under head coach Mike Vrabel and DC Terrell Williams is working to fix a front seven that’s had more leaks than a busted faucet. They brought in DT Milton Williams to bulk up the line, but the linebackers? Still low-key looking shaky even after getting Robert Spillane for a 3-year contract. Meanwhile, Detroit’s out here flexing their stacked linebacker corps. Jack Campbell is locking down the middle, Malcolm Rodriguez is still flying around like a heat-seeking missile, and Alex Anzalone’s veteran savvy keeps ‘em tight, but it won’t hurt them to draft potential next big thing and add to their depth.
It’s like both teams are looking for the diamond in the rough, the underdog ready to punch above his weight class. And Shaun Dolac fits the bill perfectly. For New England, he could be the versatile, under-the-radar linebacker to help bring that defense back to life. For Detroit? Maybe he’s the spark plug they need to add depth and grit to a unit that’s trying to keep up with their high-octane offense. Speaking of Bills, the Buffalo Bills are literally perfect for Shane Dolac. Why though?
Shane Dolac: Buffalo Bulls to Buffalo Bills?
But here’s where the plot thickens. The Bills have a linebacker problem. Matt Milano has only managed to start nine games over the last two seasons. Injuries, man. And Terrel Bernard, their supposed next man up, isn’t exactly ‘Mr. Dependable’ either. The Bills need depth, and they need it bad.
And who better to fix that issue than a homegrown guy? Shaun Dolac fits the Bills’ defense like a puzzle piece. A tackling machine with the speed, strength, and instincts to plug right into that linebacker rotation. Plus, Bills GM Brandon Beane has a history of finding gems in the fifth round. Just ask Khalil Shakir and, oh yeah, Matt Milano — now an All-Pro.
Buffalo’s defense ain’t about finesse. It’s about grit, power, and raw energy. And if you’re telling us Dolac doesn’t fit that bill, you’re lying to yourself. Imagine Dolac’s energy lighting up Highmark Stadium. Just the type of underdog story Buffalo would lose their minds over. And if GM Beane pulls the trigger and makes this kid a Bill? That’s a hometown legend in the making.
But the Bills aren’t the only ones who might want to throw a lifeline to Dolac. The Patriots’ defense is in a rebuild under new head coach Mike Vrabel, and Dolac’s versatility would be gold for them. The Lions? Same thing. They need help on the edge or depth, and Dolac’s Pro Day numbers just scream ‘I’m that guy’. Look, if you were smart enough to watch his Pro Day, you know Shaun Dolac’s got ‘draft steal’ written all over him. The NFL Combine can miss me with their oversight. Whoever takes Dolac is walking away with an absolute problem. So, NFL GMs — you better not sleep on this man twice.
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