CoachAllred
Hall of Fame
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2019
- Messages
- 2,251
no doubt
The Official 2025 Undrafted Free Agent Thread.
- Thread starter Memento
- Start date
-
To unlock all of features of Rams On Demand please take a brief moment to register. Registering is not only quick and easy, it also allows you access to additional features such as live chat, private messaging, and a host of other apps exclusive to Rams On Demand.
TheTackle
Pro Bowler
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2015
- Messages
- 1,485
This is a glowing report. He has some of the traits that Snead talks about when they grade later round picks. He does something’s we need exceptionally well. He is the type of player who you stash on the practice squad who could eventually become a key player on special teams and possibly the slot
kadesdraftroom.com
2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Brennan Presley, WR, Oklahoma State - Kade's Draft Room
Today’s report looks at a player in the Big 12 who’s shown a consistency across all three levels: Brennan Presley.
kadesdraftroom.com
- Joined
- Nov 3, 2013
- Messages
- 43,411
- Joined
- May 8, 2014
- Messages
- 42,484
Here's the interview from that article OS just posted, great read:
by Justin Melo
Apr 23, 2025 • 9:04 pm
Buffalo linebacker Shaun Dolac may be the best story of the 2025 NFL Draft. From a walk-on to MAC Defensive Player of the Year, Dolac’s story is one of hard work and sheer determination. The criticisms and doubts never bothered him. They only fueled a work ethic that borders on obsession.
Dolac recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network. Dolac discussed his inspiring journey, how he took developmental steps forward, his appreciation for Bulls defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Joe Bowen, and more.
JM: You led the nation in tackles this past season with a school-record 168 tackles. You had 18.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. You were named MAC Defensive Player of the Year. What an incredible year. How do you look back on the season?
Shaun Dolac: It was an exciting season. I had great people around me. It all started with the coaching staff. I had a great head coach, a great linebackers coach, and defensive coordinator in Joe Bowen. He gave me a ton of knowledge. They were very willing to develop me as a football player.
It was an amazing experience to play for that defense. We were all trying to learn and get better every single day. Buffalo invests in that improvement. Coach Bowen coached us at a maximum level.
Having the opportunity to be around coach Bowen was a blessing. We had incredible guys in the locker room as well. My teammates made this past year so much fun. We went to the Bahamas Bowl. We went 9-4. It was one of the best seasons in Buffalo history.
The whole season was an amazing experience, and the people around me made it that much better. I had a lot of fun with my guys. We had genuine fun in the locker room. It was a special year.
JM: That really is special. You are a former walk-on who eventually earned a scholarship. You went from that to MAC Player of the Year honors. I imagine a lot of hard work went into the journey.
Shaun Dolac: A lot of hard work went into that, indeed. It’s a testament to my story. Keep going no matter what. It doesn’t matter how many people tell you you’re not good enough. I was overlooked. I was told I was undersized.
I didn’t listen to any of that. No matter what you’re doing in life, there’s always going to be somebody who criticizes you and tries to put you down. I used that as motivation. It pushed me to keep going every single day.
I had a lot of support from my community, my family, and my friends. They continued to believe in me. Being that walk-on, I had to earn everything. It gave me this mentality where I didn’t expect anyone to give me anything. I didn’t receive anything I didn’t work for.
I persevered. I went through a lot. I overcame every obstacle life threw my way. You have to manage it and persevere through it. I have to give all the credit and glory to God. My faith is the foundation of my life. I placed my trust in him. It all worked out in the end.
JM: Your story is so beautiful. I love watching you on tape. You also had five interceptions and five pass breakups this past season. Talk to me about your ability to play in coverage.
Shaun Dolac: Coach Bowen challenged me to be more versatile this year. I had played MIKE linebacker the last couple seasons. I was in the box as more of a run stopper. I was primarily tasked with flooding those gaps. I still played in coverage a little bit, but it wasn’t a lot.
I was able to play WILL linebacker in 2024. I showcased my versatility in coverage. I got to use my athletic abilities to my advantage. I wanted to put that to the test. It allowed me to make more plays when the ball was in the air.
That was huge for me. It displayed my athletic ability in coverage. I showed I could play man and zone coverage. The way coach Bowen runs our defense allows us to play fast. We trusted each other.
We all learned the defense conceptually. I trusted my teammates and they trusted me to make plays. That’s ultimately what we did this year. I was able to read the quarterback’s eyes, to read route concepts.
Watching film is a big part of my life (laughs). I believe I watch it on a different level from most. I’m able to decipher what the offense is doing before the snap. I recognize alignments and I see things pre-snap. It gives me a huge advantage. I anticipate what’s happening. I can read and react.
Whatever you see on film, that’s usually what you’re going to see in a game. That’s where a lot of my interceptions came from. We played a lot of Cover 2. I’m reading the quarterback’s eyes and my eyes are moving with his. I was breaking on the ball.
That’s where the pass deflections and interceptions came from. Coach Bowen did a great job during position drills in practice. We’re reading our queues and improving our footwork. We repped everything that was going to help us in a game.
JM: That’s an incredibly detailed breakdown. You had a terrific Pro Day, running in the 4.55 range and posting 25 reps on the bench press. Those would have been some of the best results among all linebackers at the NFL Combine. Did you get great feedback from scouts on the performance?
Shaun Dolac: I personally wasn’t shocked by what I ran and how I performed. That’s what I’ve been doing my entire life. I just continue to put my head down and go to work. It doesn’t matter what anybody says to me. I didn’t pay attention to what I was predicted to run.
I heard I wasn’t athletic. I’m this and that. No, I’m who I am because of what I did to get here. I’ve been working my entire life to get to this point. I’m going to continue to work. You’re going to see that at the next level.
JM: You’re an incredibly hard worker. You attended the Buffalo Bills’ local day. Who are some of the other teams you've met with recently?
Shaun Dolac: I’ve spoken with and met with a couple of other teams. I’m going to keep those details confidential out of respect to the process. I’ve met with scouts and coaches. It’s been a fun process.
JM: We've appreciated your time today. What kinda impact is Shaun Dolac going to make at the next level?
Shaun Dolac: I’m going to make a strong impact, whether that’s on defense as a starting linebacker or on special teams. I’m always ready and willing to put my best foot forward. I’m going to continue carrying that walk-on mentality with me.
I’ve always played the game with a chip on my shoulder. That’s just who I am. No matter who I’m up against, it’s always going to be me against you. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to put our team in the best position to win.
I’m going to own whatever role I’m asked to play. You’re always going to get everything I have. I’m a film junkie. I can be there all day long. I look for any small advantage I can identify.
I’m bringing everything I have. It’s going to be special. I’m going to shock a lot of people. I won’t be shocked, though.
by Justin Melo
Apr 23, 2025 • 9:04 pm
Buffalo linebacker Shaun Dolac may be the best story of the 2025 NFL Draft. From a walk-on to MAC Defensive Player of the Year, Dolac’s story is one of hard work and sheer determination. The criticisms and doubts never bothered him. They only fueled a work ethic that borders on obsession.
Dolac recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network. Dolac discussed his inspiring journey, how he took developmental steps forward, his appreciation for Bulls defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Joe Bowen, and more.
JM: You led the nation in tackles this past season with a school-record 168 tackles. You had 18.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. You were named MAC Defensive Player of the Year. What an incredible year. How do you look back on the season?
Shaun Dolac: It was an exciting season. I had great people around me. It all started with the coaching staff. I had a great head coach, a great linebackers coach, and defensive coordinator in Joe Bowen. He gave me a ton of knowledge. They were very willing to develop me as a football player.
It was an amazing experience to play for that defense. We were all trying to learn and get better every single day. Buffalo invests in that improvement. Coach Bowen coached us at a maximum level.
Having the opportunity to be around coach Bowen was a blessing. We had incredible guys in the locker room as well. My teammates made this past year so much fun. We went to the Bahamas Bowl. We went 9-4. It was one of the best seasons in Buffalo history.
The whole season was an amazing experience, and the people around me made it that much better. I had a lot of fun with my guys. We had genuine fun in the locker room. It was a special year.
JM: That really is special. You are a former walk-on who eventually earned a scholarship. You went from that to MAC Player of the Year honors. I imagine a lot of hard work went into the journey.
Shaun Dolac: A lot of hard work went into that, indeed. It’s a testament to my story. Keep going no matter what. It doesn’t matter how many people tell you you’re not good enough. I was overlooked. I was told I was undersized.
I didn’t listen to any of that. No matter what you’re doing in life, there’s always going to be somebody who criticizes you and tries to put you down. I used that as motivation. It pushed me to keep going every single day.
I had a lot of support from my community, my family, and my friends. They continued to believe in me. Being that walk-on, I had to earn everything. It gave me this mentality where I didn’t expect anyone to give me anything. I didn’t receive anything I didn’t work for.
I persevered. I went through a lot. I overcame every obstacle life threw my way. You have to manage it and persevere through it. I have to give all the credit and glory to God. My faith is the foundation of my life. I placed my trust in him. It all worked out in the end.
JM: Your story is so beautiful. I love watching you on tape. You also had five interceptions and five pass breakups this past season. Talk to me about your ability to play in coverage.
Shaun Dolac: Coach Bowen challenged me to be more versatile this year. I had played MIKE linebacker the last couple seasons. I was in the box as more of a run stopper. I was primarily tasked with flooding those gaps. I still played in coverage a little bit, but it wasn’t a lot.
I was able to play WILL linebacker in 2024. I showcased my versatility in coverage. I got to use my athletic abilities to my advantage. I wanted to put that to the test. It allowed me to make more plays when the ball was in the air.
That was huge for me. It displayed my athletic ability in coverage. I showed I could play man and zone coverage. The way coach Bowen runs our defense allows us to play fast. We trusted each other.
We all learned the defense conceptually. I trusted my teammates and they trusted me to make plays. That’s ultimately what we did this year. I was able to read the quarterback’s eyes, to read route concepts.
Watching film is a big part of my life (laughs). I believe I watch it on a different level from most. I’m able to decipher what the offense is doing before the snap. I recognize alignments and I see things pre-snap. It gives me a huge advantage. I anticipate what’s happening. I can read and react.
Whatever you see on film, that’s usually what you’re going to see in a game. That’s where a lot of my interceptions came from. We played a lot of Cover 2. I’m reading the quarterback’s eyes and my eyes are moving with his. I was breaking on the ball.
That’s where the pass deflections and interceptions came from. Coach Bowen did a great job during position drills in practice. We’re reading our queues and improving our footwork. We repped everything that was going to help us in a game.
JM: That’s an incredibly detailed breakdown. You had a terrific Pro Day, running in the 4.55 range and posting 25 reps on the bench press. Those would have been some of the best results among all linebackers at the NFL Combine. Did you get great feedback from scouts on the performance?
Shaun Dolac: I personally wasn’t shocked by what I ran and how I performed. That’s what I’ve been doing my entire life. I just continue to put my head down and go to work. It doesn’t matter what anybody says to me. I didn’t pay attention to what I was predicted to run.
I heard I wasn’t athletic. I’m this and that. No, I’m who I am because of what I did to get here. I’ve been working my entire life to get to this point. I’m going to continue to work. You’re going to see that at the next level.
JM: You’re an incredibly hard worker. You attended the Buffalo Bills’ local day. Who are some of the other teams you've met with recently?
Shaun Dolac: I’ve spoken with and met with a couple of other teams. I’m going to keep those details confidential out of respect to the process. I’ve met with scouts and coaches. It’s been a fun process.
JM: We've appreciated your time today. What kinda impact is Shaun Dolac going to make at the next level?
Shaun Dolac: I’m going to make a strong impact, whether that’s on defense as a starting linebacker or on special teams. I’m always ready and willing to put my best foot forward. I’m going to continue carrying that walk-on mentality with me.
I’ve always played the game with a chip on my shoulder. That’s just who I am. No matter who I’m up against, it’s always going to be me against you. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to put our team in the best position to win.
I’m going to own whatever role I’m asked to play. You’re always going to get everything I have. I’m a film junkie. I can be there all day long. I look for any small advantage I can identify.
I’m bringing everything I have. It’s going to be special. I’m going to shock a lot of people. I won’t be shocked, though.
majrleaged
Hall of Fame
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2016
- Messages
- 4,667
dang
Legend
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2018
- Messages
- 8,202
He will play at 120% and will be mentally ready. I’m hoping he’s up to the physicality level of the NFL. What a steal if he is. Same with Lampkin.
Pupped
Legend
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2021
- Messages
- 9,067
- Name
- Pupped
If nothing else.. he would look to be a guy who can be a special teams ace.. incredible athlete..
View: https://x.com/MathBomb/status/1900359297847996491
View: https://x.com/MathBomb/status/1900359297847996491
dang
Legend
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2018
- Messages
- 8,202
- Joined
- May 8, 2014
- Messages
- 42,484
Yeah he's the best athlete in that ILB room. Also he is a film junkie. So he's got a good chance to stick, as you say, even if it's just as a teams dude.
What is interesting to consider right now is how the Rams are going to see the roles. In other words will Paul be competing with Speights for the mike role. Because I think Paul probably ends up with the green dot.
If things slot that way then in that weak role Dolac has his work cut out for him with a vet like Landman not to mention Reeder knowing the scheme as he does. But in his favor is that athleticism, so if he's studying hard I would not bet against him.
majrleaged
Hall of Fame
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2016
- Messages
- 4,667
The Rams have a type. The players they draft all know the work, works. Many succeed by overcoming what some consider physical deficiency. Some are late bloomers. Some just overlooked. The Rams want that.
methomas50
Starter
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2024
- Messages
- 665
View: https://x.com/JustinM_NFL/status/1920270030039584981?t=DNVRvfaXQvGXUYBgZ3ulpw&s=19
He sounds disrespected and hungry.
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2010
- Messages
- 19,467
- Name
- Jemma
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #293
If he played at Alabama with that production, regardless of his height, he'd have been a first round pick, not Campbell.
Dolac is going to be a steal for us.
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2013
- Messages
- 26,075
I get the competition is a factor but my lord, his numbers were Bobby Boucher like.
Against Northern Illinois (who Beat Notre Dame) 19 total tackles, 5 tfl, 1 INT returned for 53 yards
Against Missou 16 total tackles, 1 Tfl
Against a Jim Mora coached Uconn who beat North Carolina in a bowl game, 10 tackles, 1 sack 1 TFL
Not sure if the kid could out on some weight but even still with 4.55 40 time he at least seems like he could be a stud box safety
- Joined
- May 8, 2014
- Messages
- 42,484