Latest news with #Dolac
USA Today
22-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Rams training camp preview: Who steps up at inside linebacker?
Omar Speights, Nate Landman and Chris Paul Jr. are the top guys at ILB entering training camp No position group on the Los Angeles Rams' depth chart is more fluid than inside linebacker. There are four players vying for two starting spots, ranging from a veteran such as Troy Reeder to a rookie in Chris Paul Jr. There's a lot to be sorted out at this spot, and while it may not be a highly prioritized position for Sean McVay and Les Snead, it is a critical role on defense. So who will emerge as the two starters? And who will remain on the field as a three-down linebacker once the season begins? Training camp will help the Rams figure things out at a wide-open position. Roster locks Speights took over as a starter next to Christian Rozeboom after Troy Reeder got hurt, maintaining his grip on that role through the end of the season. Landman was a free-agent addition following his stint with the Falcons, while Paul was a fifth-round pick out of Ole Miss. All three should be locks to make the team despite none of them being certain to be starters on defense. Likely to make it Reeder was close to making this tier, especially with his special teams value, but there's no guaranteed the Rams will even keep four inside linebackers. They could go with just three to start the year in hopes of stashing Reeder on the practice squad if he clears waivers (which he should). On the bubble Reeder probably has the edge over the other three linebackers in this group, simply because he's a former starter on defense. But he regressed last year and fell out of favor, with the Rams opting not to activate him off IR despite having the opportunity to in the postseason. Dolac is the only undrafted rookie at inside linebacker but he's certainly not someone to overlook after the career he had at Buffalo. Position battle to watch It's possible this will be a four-for-two deal: four players competing for two starting spots. The pecking order could be just as it's listed above, with Speights having the first crack at a starting job and Landman close behind him. Paul will need to earn his stripes as a fifth-round rookie but the promise is certainly there; he's the most athletic linebacker on the team. Potential sleeper Dolac had an FBS-leading 168 tackles at Buffalo last season, along with five interceptions, 6.5 sacks and 19 tackles for a loss. He was all over the field and he'll try to keep up that reputation as a member of the Rams in training camp. In such a wide-open position group, Dolac has a chance to make some noise this summer. Follow Rams Wire on X, Facebook and Threads for more coverage!
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.
