Buffalo often depended on linebacker Shaun Dolac to set the tone on defense. Against nationally-ranked Northern Illinois this past season, he changed the course of the game.
The Bulls were tied with the Huskies at 17 with under six minutes remaining, and NIU had the ball on third down and six in Buffalo territory. And in a high-pressure moment like this, Dolac stepped up.
NIU quarterback Ethan Hampton threw a pass down the middle of the field, hoping it would lead to a first down and that his team would be closer to taking the lead. But that was a mistake against Dolac, who was in the right position for an interception. He returned the ensuing pick to NIU’s 20-yard line, and the Bulls would go on to win in overtime.
Dolac made highlight play after highlight play during his career at Buffalo. He might have done enough to earn a spot on an NFL team.
Shaun Dolac NFL Draft Projection In 2025
I project Shaun Dolac will be selected in the seventh round of the NFL Draft or will become an undrafted free agent.
Dolac didn’t receive an invite to the NFL Combine, so it’s unclear exactly how much interest he’ll receive in the draft. But I could see a team wanting to take him late on Day 3.
Shaun Dolac’s Height & Weight
Shaun Dolac was listed at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds during his final year of college.
Shaun Dolac’s Stats & Highlights
Dolac led the country with 168 total tackles, a single-season record at Buffalo, in 2024. That earned him Group of Five All-American and MAC Defensive Player of the Year accolades.
Dolac added 18.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, five interceptions, and five pass breakups for the season. But he was a highly productive player throughout his career.
In 2022, Dolac was first in the MAC and second in the FBS with 147 tackles. He set a then-program record with 97 solo tackles, which was first in the country. He paced his team with 13.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks to go with seven pass breakups en route to first-team All-MAC honors.
In 2023, Dolac started four games but missed the rest of the season due to injury. He totaled 32 tackles, 2.5 for loss, and an interception that year. He briefly transferred to Utah State for a semester following that season, but the West Seneca, New York, native returned to Buffalo for his final collegiate campaign.
Dolac, who started his career as a walk-on, went to Buffalo after one season at Milford Academy. As a freshman at Buffalo in 2020, he recorded seven tackles in seven games. The following year, he racked up 37 tackles, six TFLs, and 1.5 sacks while playing in 12 games and starting in two.
Shaun Dolac’s NFL Comparison & 2025 NFL Draft Profile
I believe some elements of Shaun Dolac’s game are comparable to Luke Kuechly. I’m not saying Dolac will be an All-Pro linebacker. However, Kuechly was simultaneously an enforcer in the middle of the field on running plays and incredible in pass coverage, and I see the same blend of skills from Dolac.
His numbers should make this obvious, but Dolac is flat-out an elite tackler. He’s sound at the point of attack. He keeps his pad level low but doesn’t dive or lose his balance when he’s trying to take an opponent down to the turf.
Among FBS linebackers who played at least 180 snaps in 2024, Dolac was first in Pro Football Focus’ grades for overall defense, tackling, and coverage while ranking sixth for run defense and 11th for pass rushing.
He had a missed tackle rate of just 5% in 2024 and just 7.5% for his entire career. Last year, he ranked first in the country with 76 defensive stops which were constituted as failures for the offense.
Dolac has excellent vision and anticipation when the line of scrimmage is crowded on run plays, and he’s also dependable in the open field when he’s one-on-one with a ball carrier.
As evidenced by his five interceptions, which led all FBS linebackers in 2024, he consistently made plays on the ball. In coverage, he allowed 43 catches for 317 yards and one touchdown on 58 targets. The NFL passer rating for throws his way was 56.5, which was in the top 20 among FBS linebackers.
Dolac may have played in the MAC, but he was one of the best linebackers in the country by several metrics. If an NFL team gives him a chance in some capacity, he’s a Group of Five product worth keeping an eye on.
