Shaun Dolac earned MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors at Buffalo, led the nation with 168 tackles, and turned that production into a roster spot with the Los Angeles Rams.
LAFB was fortunate enough to get an exclusive interview with Dolac over the summer. Here is a recap of what that interview entailed, and you can read that full interview HERE.
Shaun Dolac’s path from Buffalo to the Rams is exactly the kind of under-the-radar work the franchise prizes. He talks about long film nights and offseason volume, but the real takeaway is how deliberate his approach is, and how quickly that translated to trust in camp.
Shaun Dolac’s Work Ethic Leads To Los Angeles Rams Roster Spot
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Coaches reward consistency, and Dolac built his case the hard way, play by play and rep by rep.
Two short excerpts from the original interview.
“Being able to play under a high-intensity, high-passion coach is what I was looking for.”
“Special teams is huge for me. It is where I can show the type of player I am.”
Those lines sum up the pitch. Dolac sells the Rams on two things: culture fit and immediate utility. He is not projecting as a starter day one, but he is exactly the kind of multi-role linebacker who earns snaps through special teams, dime packages, and short yardage work.
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That is valuable in a 53-man math world where versatility and mistake-free play matter more than upside on paper.
The Los Angeles Rams’ linebacker room already features Nate Landman, Omar Speights, and Troy Reeder, all undrafted players who carved out roles the same way.
Dolac plugs into that template, which accelerates his shot. Expect him to see special teams work early, rotate into sub packages, and pick up situational defensive snaps where his tackling and instincts translate quickest.
Dolac did the work, he earned the roster spot, and his immediate impact will come on special teams and in rotational defensive roles. Watch his snap share and third-down usage early; those numbers will tell whether this UDFA becomes a long-term piece or a situational contributor.
Read the full Q&A on LAFB Network for more on his journey, preparation, and what he wants to accomplish in Los Angeles.