Shaun Dolac, the University at Buffalo’s Consensus All-American linebacker, signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft. Despite being a hometown hero and a statistical standout, Dolac went unpicked in the draft, but his signing with Sean McVay’s squad offers a fresh chapter for the tenacious linebacker to prove himself on the NFL stage. Could he crack the Rams’ starting lineup? Dolac’s remarkable journey, his standout college career, and pre-draft rankings lead me to believe it is more than possible.
A Hometown Hero’s Rise
Born on September 14, 2001, in West Seneca, New York—just five miles from the Buffalo Bills’ Highmark Stadium—Shaun Dolac grew up with football in his blood. A standout at West Seneca East Senior High School, Dolac was named The Buffalo News Player of the Year after a senior season where he rushed for a school-record 1,997 yards and notched 157 tackles. His dual-threat prowess as a running back and linebacker earned him All-Western New York first-team honors, setting the stage for his collegiate aspirations.
After a year at Milford Academy, Dolac joined the University at Buffalo as a preferred walk-on in 2020, a decision that would mark the beginning of a historic career. Despite limited playing time in his first two seasons (44 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks in 19 games), Dolac’s work ethic and relentless drive foreshadowed his breakout. In 2022, he erupted for 147 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, seven pass deflections, and three forced fumbles, earning first-team All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) honors. A season-ending injury limited him to four games in 2023, but Dolac’s resilience shone through in 2024, cementing his legacy as one of Buffalo’s all-time greats.
A Record-Breaking 2024 Season
Dolac’s 2024 campaign was nothing short of extraordinary. Leading the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision with 168 tackles—10th-most in a single season over the last 20 years—he also topped the nation with 177 interception return yards. His stat line included 18.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, five interceptions, and five pass breakups, showcasing his versatility as a tackler, pass-rusher, and coverage linebacker. At 6’1” and 225 pounds, Dolac’s blend of speed, instincts, and physicality made him a force on the field.
His accolades piled up: Consensus All-American, MAC Defensive Player of the Year, and the first University at Buffalo player to earn Associated Press All-American honors, surpassing even NFL star Khalil Mack’s achievements at the school. Dolac was a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, recognizing the nation’s top former walk-on, and was named MAC Defensive Player of the Week five times. After leading Buffalo to a 26-7 victory over Liberty in the 2025 Bahamas Bowl, Dolac declared for the NFL Draft, forgoing his final year of eligibility.
The Draft Snub and Pro Day Performance
Despite his gaudy stats, Dolac faced an uphill battle in the pre-draft process. He was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine or the Senior Bowl, oversights that puzzled analysts given his production. However, Dolac seized his opportunity at Buffalo’s pro day on March 2025, where he ran an unofficial 4.55-second 40-yard dash, recorded a 35.5-inch vertical jump, and completed 25 bench press reps. These numbers would have ranked him among the top seven linebackers at the Combine in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and bench press, with his shuttle and broad jump performances potentially leading the position group. He also participated in the Buffalo Bills’ local pro day on April 11, 2025, but the Bills, despite having three Buffalo alumni on their 2024 roster, passed on keeping Dolac in Orchard Park.
The 2025 NFL Draft came and went without Dolac’s name being called, a surprise to many given his resume. Analysts speculated that his size (6’1”, 225 pounds) and lack of Combine exposure may have contributed, but Dolac’s tape told a different story. NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger praised his tackling prowess, tweeting, “@UBFootball @ShaunDolac production is crazee real. Love watching linebackers who love to tackle. #nfldraft #BaldysBreakdowns” (@BaldyNFL, April 19, 2025). NFL.com graded Dolac as a priority undrafted free agent, and the Rams wasted no time securing his signature on April 28, 2025.
.@UBFootball @ShaunDolac production is crazee real. Love watching linebackers who love to tackle. #nfldraft #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/duEPmL2cT8
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 19, 2025
Joining the Rams: A New Opportunity
The Los Angeles Rams, under head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead, have a knack for unearthing gems in the undrafted free agent pool. In 2024, seven undrafted rookies, including running back Cody Schrader, played meaningful snaps for the team. Dolac joins a 2025 undrafted free agent class of 17 players, including Boise State offensive lineman Ben Dooley, Louisiana Tech wide receiver Tru Edwards, and Rice linebacker Josh Pearcy, among others. His signing addresses a need at linebacker, where the Rams lost Christian Rozeboom (135 tackles in 2024), Jacob Hummel, and outside linebacker Michael Hoecht to free agency.
The Rams’ 2025 draft class, headlined by Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson (No. 46 overall) and Ole Miss linebacker Chris “Pooh” Paul Jr. (No. 172), reflects McVay and Snead’s philosophy of targeting “lunch pail” players who embody grit, leadership, and a team-first mentality. Dolac fits this mold perfectly. A three-time Academic All-MAC selection and a former walk-on who overcame adversity, he brings the intangibles the Rams covet. As McVay noted in a post-draft press conference, “We were able to add an inside linebacker, that’s a really good scenario… Real credit to Les, his group, and the coaches” (SI.com, April 28, 2025).
Dolac’s path to the Rams’ 53-man roster won’t be easy. The team currently has four inside linebackers, five outside linebackers, and one listed linebacker, with Paul Jr. expected to compete for a starting role. However, Dolac’s versatility—evidenced by his tackles, sacks, and interceptions—could carve out a role on special teams or as a rotational linebacker. His pro day metrics suggest he has the athleticism to hang with NFL talent, and his film showcases a sideline-to-sideline tackler with a nose for the ball.
What Lies Ahead
For Dolac, signing with the Rams is both a homecoming and a fresh start. While he initially considered transferring to Utah State in 2024 before returning to Buffalo, his decision to head west to Los Angeles marks a bold step. The Rams, coming off a 2024 season where their young defense emerged as a strength under coordinator Chris Shula, are in Super Bowl contention with Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams leading the offense. Adding Dolac to a linebacker room in need of depth gives McVay a high-motor player who could develop into a contributor.
In Buffalo, Dolac’s legacy endures. His 391 career tackles rank sixth in program history, and his 222 solo tackles are fourth. A Christian with four siblings, Dolac’s journey from walk-on to All-American embodies perseverance. As he told The Buffalo News after declaring for the draft, his “chip on shoulder” drives him—a mentality that aligns with the Rams’ culture of hard work and accountability.
Don’t Count Him Out
Shaun Dolac’s signing with the Los Angeles Rams is a testament to his talent and tenacity. While the draft snub stung, his opportunity to learn from Sean McVay and compete in a linebacker-friendly system could be the perfect launchpad for his NFL career. Rams fans should keep an eye on No. 52 during training camp, as Dolac’s relentless tackling and playmaking instincts could make him a fan favorite. For a kid from West Seneca who once dreamed of playing for the Bills, the journey to SoFi Stadium is just the beginning.
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