Latest news with #Dolac
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Who is the Rams' most exciting UDFA addition?
The Los Angeles Rams signed a bevy of undrafted free agents following the 2025 NFL Draft to round out their roster heading into summer workouts. These are players who, for whatever reason, weren't considered draftable prospects by any of the franchises. However, that doesn't mean they aren't exciting players. The Rams have had a lot of success in recent years with undrafted players, too, which players like starting left tackle Alaric Jackson and starting inside linebacker Omar Speights. Advertisement One of the Rams' newest additions could hit, and Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski predicts linebacker Shaun Dolac is L.A.'s "most exciting" UDFA heading into the summer. "The Los Angeles Rams failed to draft a linebacker until choosing Ole Miss' Pooh Paul Jr. in this year's fifth round," Sobleski wrote. "Considering the state of the position, the undrafted Shaun Dolac may have as much of a chance to make their roster and possibly contribute as Paul does. "'Tackling machine can be an overused phrase when it comes to describing linebackers. When discussing Dolac, it's appropriate. The Buffalo product finished first or second in total tackles during the 2022 and 2024 campaigns. Between the two seasons, he amassed 315 tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 12 defended passes and five interceptions. He then suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in 2023. "Clearly, instincts and production are not a problem. The reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year and consensus All-American is undersized at 6'0" and 221 pounds. However, he has the athletic traits to remain productive as part of the Rams roster." Dolac has the experience, production and skillset to earn a role on Chris Shula's defense. He may not be an immediate impact starter, but he should compete with the other backups like Paul, Tony Fields II and Elias Neal. Troy Reeder is pretty injury-prone, too, so there could be ample opportunities to see snaps if Dolac makes a good impression during training camp. This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams 2025 roster: Who is L.A.'s most exciting UDFA addition?
USA Today
28-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Who is the Rams' most exciting UDFA addition?
Who is the Rams' most exciting UDFA addition? The Los Angeles Rams signed a bevy of undrafted free agents following the 2025 NFL Draft to round out their roster heading into summer workouts. These are players who, for whatever reason, weren't considered draftable prospects by any of the franchises. However, that doesn't mean they aren't exciting players. The Rams have had a lot of success in recent years with undrafted players, too, which players like starting left tackle Alaric Jackson and starting inside linebacker Omar Speights. One of the Rams' newest additions could hit, and Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski predicts linebacker Shaun Dolac is L.A.'s "most exciting" UDFA heading into the summer. "The Los Angeles Rams failed to draft a linebacker until choosing Ole Miss' Pooh Paul Jr. in this year's fifth round," Sobleski wrote. "Considering the state of the position, the undrafted Shaun Dolac may have as much of a chance to make their roster and possibly contribute as Paul does. "'Tackling machine can be an overused phrase when it comes to describing linebackers. When discussing Dolac, it's appropriate. The Buffalo product finished first or second in total tackles during the 2022 and 2024 campaigns. Between the two seasons, he amassed 315 tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 12 defended passes and five interceptions. He then suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in 2023. "Clearly, instincts and production are not a problem. The reigning MAC Defensive Player of the Year and consensus All-American is undersized at 6'0" and 221 pounds. However, he has the athletic traits to remain productive as part of the Rams roster." Dolac has the experience, production and skillset to earn a role on Chris Shula's defense. He may not be an immediate impact starter, but he should compete with the other backups like Paul, Tony Fields II and Elias Neal. Troy Reeder is pretty injury-prone, too, so there could be ample opportunities to see snaps if Dolac makes a good impression during training camp.
USA Today
28-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2 of Rams UDFAs named among best non-picked players from 2025 NFL Draft
2 of Rams UDFAs named among best non-picked players from 2025 NFL Draft The Los Angeles Rams added six players in the 2025 NFL Draft, but also signed a few undrafted free agents as well to bring to camps throughout the summer. They'll compete with the rest of the team for roster spots, and a few might even make the final 53-man roster. The Rams have had a lot of success with undrafted players recently. Alaric Jackson went undrafted in 2021 and has been the team's starting left tackle for two and a half seasons. Omar Speights went undrafted in 2024 and is now poised to be L.A.'s starting inside linebacker. It's too early to know if any of the 2025 UDFAs will make names for themselves on the Rams, but Athlon Sports' Doug Farrar thinks L.A. snagged two of the best in Buffalo linebacker Shaun Dolac and North Carolina offensive lineman Willie Lampkin. Dolac led the Mid-American Conference in solo tackles (82), assisted tackles (86), tackles for a loss (19) and interceptions (five). His 177 interception return yards even led the FBS. Two years ago in 2022, Dulac's 97 solo tackles led the country and his three forced fumbles led the MAC. His 6-foot-1 and 221-pound frame is a bit smaller for an inside linebacker, but Dolac certainly has the production and experience to stand out. Lampkin is another undersized player at 5-foot-11 and 279 pounds. He played right guard in 2024 but also saw snaps at center and left guard. Lampkin began his career at Coastal Carolina for three seasons before he plated the past two at UNC, where he won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the top offensive lineman in the ACC. Both should have a good opportunity to prove their worth this summer. And given the Rams' affinity for UDFAs, there's chance they could find a role on the team.
USA Today
27-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Rams sign All-American LB who led the nation with an insane number of tackles
Rams sign All-American LB who led the nation with an insane number of tackles The Los Angeles Rams may not have spent an early-round pick on an inside linebacker but they did add Chris Paul Jr. in the fifth and also signed a wildly productive player as an undrafted rookie. After the draft wrapped up, it was reported that the Rams are signing Buffalo linebacker Shaun Dolac, among several other players. Dolac is notable because of the resume he put together last season. The 6-1, 225-pound linebacker was all over the field for the Bulls. He led the FBS with an eye-popping 168 tackles, 12 more than the next-closest player – who happened to be his teammate, Red Murdock (156). The player with the third-most tackles was far behind with 129 (Travion Barnes). Additionally, Dolac was a consensus All-American and was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year. He was named MAC Defensive Player of the Week five times, was a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy as a top player who began his career as a walk-on and started all 13 games. His stat line was unbelievable. 168 tackles 18.5 tackles for a loss 6.5 sacks 5 interceptions (1 TD) 177 interception yards It's remarkable that he went from being a walk-on at Buffalo to being named an All-American, putting together a memorable career for the Bulls. He'll now try to 'walk on' to the Rams' roster as an undrafted rookie, attempting to make a name for himself in the NFL.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Los Angeles Rams quickly sign college football's leading tackler as undrafted free agent
The NFL's objective is to invite every player who is expected to be drafted to the scouting combine. It didn't invite college football's leading tackler. The league was right. Shaun Dolac didn't get picked in the 2025 NFL Draft, but he's been beating the odds his entire life. Advertisement The University at Buffalo linebacker quickly signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent shortly after the draft wrapped up Saturday, according to multiple reports. Dolac, 23, led college football with 168 tackles and 177 total interception return yards in 2024. The 168 tackles are 10th most in a single season in the last 20 years. He also recorded six sacks and five interceptions last year. Dolac was a Consensus All-American and the MAC Defensive Player of the Year last year. He became the first University at Buffalo Associated Press All-American, something not even accomplished by Khalil Mack. Dolac was joined on the Consensus All-American Team by nine players who were selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft: QB Cam Ward, CB/WR Travis Hunter, DE Abdul Carter, OT Will Campbell, DT Mason Graham, RB Ashton Jeanty, WR Tetairoa McMillan, OT Kelvin Banks Jr., and DT Walter Nolen. Advertisement The league sent NFL Combine invites to 329 prospects, including 29 linebackers. It's impossible to perfectly predict every player who will be drafted but Dolac's resume seemed worthy of showcasing his skills at the pre-draft showcase. He did not receive an invitation to the Senior Bowl, either. Dolac ran the 40-yard dash in an unofficial 4.55 seconds, with a 32.5" vertical jump and 25 bench press reps at the Bulls pro day. His pro day performances would've put him first in the shuttle, tied for first in the broad jump, third in the bench press, sixth in the 40-yard dash and seventh in the vertical jump among linebackers at the combine. Dolac is listed at 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds. Dolac is from West Seneca, Erie County, about five miles north of the Buffalo Bills stadium in Orchard Park. He led West Seneca East to the state title game in 2018, spent a year at Milford Academy in Connecticut, and walked on to play for the Bulls in 2020. Dolac was awarded a scholarship in 2021. He was second in the FBS in tackles in 2022. A shoulder injury ended Dolac's 2023 season after four games. He finished his college career with 391 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 42 tackles for loss, six interceptions, three forced fumbles and 12 passes defended in 49 games. Advertisement Dolac participated in the Bills' local pro day on April 11. The Bills had three University at Buffalo alumni on their roster last year: Cam Lewis, Ja'Marcus Ingram and Joe Andreesen. The Rams lost linebackers Christian Rozeboom and Jacob Hummel and outside linebacker Michael Hoecht in free agency. Rozeboom led Los Angeles with 135 tackles. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Los Angeles Rams sign Shaun Dolac as undrafted free agent
