Dolac gets his own thread

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from https://ubbulls.com/sports/football/roster/shaun-dolac/7758

Started all 13 games and had one of the finest seasons in program history… led the nation in tackles with a school-record 168 and added 18.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, five interceptions and five pass breakups…

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from https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2025-nfl-draft-highest-graded-linebackers-every-key-category

Slot PFF Coverage Grade: Shaun Dolac, Buffalo (88.8)
This won’t be the only time the Buffalo standout’s name appears on this list. Dolac’s instincts allowed him to excel in coverage, particularly when lined up over the slot, where he earned the second-highest PFF coverage grade in college football — even among defensive backs with far more explosion and movement skills. He snagged a pair of interceptions and allowed just a 33.6 passer rating into his coverage from the slot.

PFF Overall Grade on Early Downs: Shaun Dolac, Buffalo (89.1)
While Dolac lacks the prototypical physical tools NFL teams look for at the position, his high football IQ and tenacity allow him to succeed. On first and second downs in 2024, Dolac finished as the only linebacker in the class with an 85.0-plus PFF grade in both coverage (88.5) and run defense (87.8).

PFF Overall Grade on Late Downs: Shaun Dolac, Buffalo (90.4)
If it wasn’t enough for Dolac to pace the 2025 draft class in early-down PFF grade, let’s add late-down grade to his list of accolades, as well. On third and fourth downs, the Buffalo standout produced an 83.0-plus grade in all three major defensive facets — run defense (86.6), pass rushing (83.6) and coverage (87.5) — resulting in a cumulative grade that ranks nearly 10 points higher on the grading scale than the next-best linebacker in the 2025 class.

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from ILBs coach Greg Williams discusses performances during OTAs, impact of new faces, adapting to how teams attacked them last season

Wyatt Miller

https://www.therams.com/news/ota-observations-ilbs-coach-greg-williams-discusses-performances-during-otas-impact-of-new-faces-adapting-landman-paul-speights-reeder-dolac

Shaun Dolac “could teach you the defense right now”

The Rams are no strangers to undrafted free agents forcing their way into snaps through grit and gumption. Dolac embodies those qualities, and the 2025 UDFA signing out of Buffalo has made a lasting impression during OTAs.

“Shaun could probably take you out here and teach you the defense right now,” Williams said. “He is a quick study, man, he really is. And that’s one thing you respect from him… I think from the way he plays the game above the neck and the way that he had tackled in college, (if) he does that, Shaun is going to be another guy that will be somebody to reckon with.”

Dolac led the FBS in total tackles last season with 168, averaging 12.9 per game. He fell in the draft due in large part to below-average measurements. The Rams have never valued those attributes as much as tangible skill sets, and Dolac was one of the most productive players at his position in college.

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The rest is old stuff moved here from the former “UDFAs” thread

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canadaram wrote:

Shaun Dolac, LB, Buffalo

Overview
Three-year starter who went from walk-on to All-American over a five-year span. Dolac’s activity level and production are impressive. He does a nice job of recovering from misdirection and finding his way to the football. He’s scrappy and smart but lacks the size and explosiveness most teams look for from NFL linebackers. Dolac might not have the measurables but his instincts and ability to play as a core special-teamer could give him a chance regardless of his draft status.

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/shaun-dolac/3200444f-4c03-9551-2ab3-5f9bcd179974

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from https://ramblinfan.com/rams-waste-no-time-signing-13-potential-impact-players-after-the-2025-nfl-draft-01jstp746y41

Inside linebacker (1)

LB Shaun Dolac – 6-foot-1, 225-pound inside linebacker from the University of Buffalo. Shaun Dolac. He wowed scouts at his pro day. From Buffalo Bills Beat writer Ryan Talbot: Per source, UB LB Shaun Dolac is joining the #Rams as an UDFA. He has that unique S/LB potential

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Shaun Dolac

from https://www.nfl.com/prospects/shaun-dolac/3200444f-4c03-9551-2ab3-5f9bcd179974

By Lance Zierlein

Overview

Three-year starter who went from walk-on to All-American over a five-year span. Dolac’s activity level and production are impressive. He does a nice job of recovering from misdirection and finding his way to the football. He’s scrappy and smart but lacks the size and explosiveness most teams look for from NFL linebackers. Dolac might not have the measurables but his instincts and ability to play as a core special-teamer could give him a chance regardless of his draft status.

Strengths

Tremendously productive as a starter.
Perceptive to play design and sees the field with a wide lens.
Able to combat climbing blocks with leverage and positioning.
Good instincts and ball skills working from spot drops.
Has an opportunity to shine as a core special-teams player.

Weaknesses

Below-average size, speed and length.
Lacks ideal agility and athleticism from second level.
Gets caught behind blocks with premature shots downhill.
Can be swallowed by linemen who get their hands on him.
Too heavy on his feet to match NFL route breaks in coverage.

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from https://ramblinfan.com/rams-quietly-make-17-roster-moves-immediately-after-2025-nfl-draft-01jsyzf8kx6t

Inside linebacker (1)

LB Shaun Dolac – 6-foot-1, 225-pound inside linebacker from the University of Buffalo. Shaun Dolac. He is a versatile tackling machine that I cannot believe did not go drafted. He is a defensive coordinator’s dream signing, as his 168 tackles, 6.5 quarterback sacks, and 5.0 interceptions in 2024 showcase a weapon who can be used in many ways and roles. We’ll talk more about him soon.

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from Every NFL Team’s Most Exciting 2025 Undrafted Free-Agent Addition: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25199101-every-nfl-teams-most-exciting-2025-undrafted-free-agent-addition

…

Los Angeles Rams: LB Shaun Dolac

The Los Angeles Rams failed to draft a linebacker until choosing Ole Miss’ Pooh Paul Jr. in this year’s fifth round.

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.

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from https://www.the33rdteam.com/shaun-dolac-2025-nfl-draft-scouting-report/

Scouting Overview

Buffalo Bulls linebacker Shaun Dolac is an instinctive playmaker who has done well to maximize his abilities, thanks to excellent football IQ and underrated athleticism. He’s not a big linebacker, and his pro projection is muddied by his lack of length and lack of mass.

Still, there have been enough successful linebackers out of this mold as of late that suggest he’s got a puncher’s chance of fulfilling his potential at the pro level. That potential? A three-down starter. Dolac is tougher than his size and plays a frantic brand of football.

Positives

Play by play tackle machine with a career missed tackle rate of 7.5%
Productive middle-of-the-field zone defender with good eyes to drop into secondary throwing windows
Loose hips and a low center of gravity make for fluid changes of direction in space

Negatives

For being an undersized talent, he’s not the most explosive or twitchy player
Played in just four games in 2023 before a season-ending injury and then finished 2024 with an elbow brace
Will be a 24-year-old rookie in September while coming from the MAC

Tale Of The Tape

Dolac is a cerebral linebacker who has been the big fish in a small pond during his three-year run of terror through the MAC. There’s an obvious transition ahead of him, and he may not have the ideal traits to fit as a universal stack linebacker for every scheme.

However, his 2024 season showcased capable zone coverage work over the middle. Dolac offered good peripheral vision to feel routes crossing through his zone landmarks and enough mobility to flash and take away throwing windows.

He was disciplined with his eyes while plastering receivers and made additional plays on the football at the catch point. He lacks length and an explosive burst to jump throwing windows and will be more opponent error-oriented, but his anticipation of longer, developing routes in traffic could still yield opportunities.

As a run defender, Dolac offers Energizer Bunny effort and pursuit to the football. He’s the fastest-moving player on the field once the play declares, and he takes angles that allow him to hawk down ball carriers or otherwise press them out of bounds. Despite his size and lack of length, he was credited with a 5 percent missed tackle rate in 2024 and has success in the open field and at the line of scrimmage plugging gaps.

It is fair to question whether Dolac is properly suited for racing downhill against bigger ball carriers. His size will always be a natural barrier that he will need to circumvent with good form and proper hat placement.

Dolac will also need to ensure he’s adjusted his decision-making process regarding when to shoot gaps and attack downhill. When entering into the front, he is in danger of getting plastered to blocks and lacks the wingspan, reach, and block deconstruction ability to pull himself free.

He’s a sharp and fast decision-maker with confidence, but the point of no return on his rep fitting and shooting to run under blocks may be a threat if he can’t get home. These plays will hit faster and more intensely at the pro level.

Ideal Scheme Fit, Role

Dolac projects as a scheme-specific developmental starter. He’s ideally a space player who thrives as an attacking defender when given the opportunity to use his vision and instincts.

He has enough athleticism to play zone and hit his landmarks. He’d be best served playing behind an aggressive front.

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Baldinger.

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[InvaderRam]

i’m guessing landman starts and then a competition between speights, paul jr, and dolac. that’ll be one to watch. i don’t know. i like paul jr too. and speights surprised last season. dolac might have the most upside. athletic numbers wise he has a slight edge while all three have the intangibles.

this position and the cornerback position should be the most interesting.

also gonna watch ferguson closely.

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good instincts by Shaun Dolac pic.twitter.com/KnfUZyH9zp

— Jim Youngblood 53 (@53_jim70721) August 18, 2025

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.@RamsNFL @ShaunDolac @UBFootball his instincts are the same as when he was playing college. 2weeks in a row. stacking up tackles #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/DjRcJNuZoH

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) August 18, 2025

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Shaun Dolac enters as a 23 year old undrafted rookie at the Inside Linebacker position. He seemed to have made an early impression as the Rams held him out of the final preseason game.

Dolac seems to possess great instincts and ability to wrap up. Seems like a great find pic.twitter.com/17ywckvrAX

— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) August 25, 2025

[InvaderRam]

i don’t know much about football, but in the two preseason games i saw, he seemed to be very fearless and surprisingly physical.

i think the two biggest knocks on him were size and age (he’ll be 24 next month). but athletically he’s right up there.

could be the steal of the rookie class. another london fletcher?

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Stu Jackson@StuJRams
Rams DC Chris Shula said rookie ILB Shaun Dolac picked up the defense “very fast” early on.

“He’s just been a consistent guy from the jump, and a guy that fits in well here and obviously helps on special teams. If he had to play on defense, we wouldn’t have any hesitation at all.”

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from https://www.ourlads.com/nfldepthcharts/player/54662/

Shaun Dolac

2025 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about SHAUN DOLAC:

Buffalo | Hometown: West Seneca, NY | HT: 6002 | WT: 221 | 40 time: 4.63 | Hand: 0938 | Arm: 3000 | Wing: 7438

Three year starter. First team All-MAC and consensus All-American in 2024. Led the MAC in tackles in 2024. Led all FBS players with 81 solo tackles. Incredible numbers in his career with 384 tackles, 6 interceptions, 12 sacks, and 12 pass breakups. Missed most of 2023 with an injury. Former walk-on became a team leader on and off the field. Mostly lined up as an off the ball Sam but was also in the middle. Some overhang reps as well. Instinctive initial read and react and is patient and normally precise. Inside run fits are consistently accurate. When he “sees it” can fly downhill to make plays on the line. Adept at taking open windows to get into the backfield and make a play. Exhibits ability to slip blocks on the move with quick hands. Shuffles outside staying on the back hip of the ball carrier with angles to meet the play in the alley. Shows a burst out of a shuffle when a back declares upfield. In zone coverage is adept at passing crossers and reading the quarterback. Has mirror ability to match backs out of the backfield. Gets depth in his drop with vision to balance routes in underneath zones. Quick break on the ball with hands to the catch point. Excellent blitzer with timing on the snap and a closing burst chasing. Tackling skill is virtually flawless with gather, wrap and drive. Doesn’t miss many tackles. Not the best at taking on blocks. At times takes a side and is ridden out. On straight up blocks, lacks power and can be driven back. Was a notable Combine snub as he lacks elite speed and size. He’s too productive to ignore and will get a shot.

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