2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Shaun Dolac

A household name among fans of #MACtion, Shaun Dolac’s ascent this NFL Draft cycle. Despite being one of, if not the most productive players at his position, Dolac has been underrated and overlooked for the entirety of his career.

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2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Shaun Dolac

Height: 6’0″
Weight: 221 pounds
Arms: 30″
Hands: 9 3/8″
40-yard: 4.63
Vertical: 35 1/2″
Broad jump: 10’1″
RAS: 8.83
School: Buffalo

Shaun Dolac NFL Draft Overview

Few players get to say they started as a walk-on and made it to the NFL. Dolac has the unique possibility of doing just that. Dolac walked on to the Bulls’ team in 2020 and made his way onto the field for all seven games and recording seven tackles. The following year, he played in 12 games and upped his productivity to 37 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.

Dolac’s breakout came in 2022. Over 13 games, he led all of college football with 97 solo tackles en route to a 147 total-tackle season. Additionally, he logged 14 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, seven pass breakups, and forced three fumbles.

His 2023 season was off to a good start, but it all ended after four games due to a season-ending injury. Then, last year, he got back to where he was in 2022. Dolac started 13 games and amassed 168 tackles (his 82 solo and 86 assisted tackles led the MAC), a MAC-best 19 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, five pass breakups, and five interceptions, including one pick-six in the Bulls’ win over Eastern Michigan.

Dolac earned the program’s first-ever consensus All-American.

Strengths

• Both fully healthy seasons were incredibly productive
• As sure of a tackler as any
• Is not a liability in coverage, it’s actually a strength of his game
• Has the football IQ that suggests he can step in right away
• Often takes optimal, efficient routes to the ball carrier to make the play
• Unstoppable motor
• Can be a sideline-to-sideline weakside linebacker

Weaknesses

• Very undersized as an NFL linebacker
• Often struggled to come free when engaged with a blocker
• Does not have that top-end speed
• Missed most of 2023 with a shoulder injury, played with a brace in 2024
• Will be 24 this fall

Projection: Sixth Round

Bottom Line on Shaun Dolac

If an NFL team needs a veteran with leadership qualities who can step in and be productive, Dolac is their man. His tackling numbers are ridiculous and not empty. In his career, he has a 7.5% missed tackle rate. Last year, as an All-American, Dolac missed on 5% of his tackle attempts.

Dolac can be a solid weakside linebacker in a 4-3 base with his ability to drop into coverage and take smart angles when pursuing ballcarriers. He needs those angles to make up for his lack of elite speed and explosiveness, of course.

Dolac’s production and intangibles outweigh his athletic deficiencies, making him a high-floor, low-ceiling prospect. While unlikely to become a Pro Bowler, his elite instincts and tackling consistency give him a legitimate path to a 5+ year career as a core special teamer and situational defender.  Teams prioritizing character and football IQ over traits could find a gem in the late rounds. Main Image: Jovanny Hernandez / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK