Archives for April 28, 2024

‘He was the first player in SEC history to have 1,000-yard seasons at two schools. He’s coming off a year when he ran for 1,129 yards and 14 touchdowns on 199 carries.’

‘A 6-foot-4, 315-pounder, Van Pran-Granger started his final 44 games at center for Georgia, during which time the Bulldogs went 42-2. A two-time team captain, he was chosen as a first-team All-American by ESPN and Sports Illustrated in 2023, and a second-team Associated Press All-American.’

‘Ulofoshio was a sixth-year senior for the Huskies who started at middle linebacker. He entered college as a walk-on but was voted a team captain as a senior. He does not have a huge frame at 6-foot and 236 pounds, but he ran a fast time at the NFL scouting combine (4.56 seconds in the 40-yard dash). He also had the best vertical jump (39.5 inches) and the best broad jump (10 feet, 9 inches) among linebackers at the combine.’

‘Solomon, 23, led Football Bowl Subdivision last year with 16 sacks. He first met with Bills officials at the Senior Bowl in January.’

‘Grable, 24, started his college career at Jacksonville State, arriving in 2018, but he redshirted that year. He stayed at Jacksonville State through 2021 before transferring to UCF.’

‘A one-year starter for the Nittany Lions, the 5-foot-9, 179-pound Hardy lined up as the nickel cornerback in former defensive coordinator Manny Diaz’s scheme. Hardy led Penn State in both interceptions and passes defended in 2023, finishing with two and nine, respectively. His best path to a roster spot in Buffalo, however, may come as a punt returner. He became the first player in Penn State history to return two punts for touchdowns in the same game, which he did this past season against UMass, and finished with an average of 14.6 yards per return in 2023 (17 attempts for 248 yards). He’s also played on coverage units.’

‘Clayton, 23, is a 6-foot-7, 303-pounder from England. He was one of 16 players selected to participate in the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, which was established in 2017 and aims to provide elite athletes from around the world the chance to earn a spot on an NFL roster. The goal is to increase the number of international players in the league. Former Bills running back Christian Wade was part of the program from 2019 to 2021, although he never appeared in a regular-season game.’

‘The group of UDFAs at the moment is headlined by Frank Gore Jr., whose father Frank Gore played for the Bills in 2019.’

‘The Bills may not be as fortunate with this year’s first three draft picks.’

‘Beane now has eight picks scheduled in 2025 – his own in rounds one, two, three, four and six, as well as the Bears’ fourth-rounder, the Vikings’ second-rounder and the Giants’ sixth-rounder. Houston owns Buffalo’s fifth-round pick as part of the Stefon Diggs trade, and the Giants have Buffalo’s seventh-rounder as part of the Boogie Basham deal.’

‘“I’m just a high-personality guy,” the wide receiver from Florida State said. “I only know how to be myself 100% of the time, but there’s also a time and place for things. So I learn how to use different things and when not to use ’em, and I just try to cheer everybody up, man. You never going to see me down. I’ve always got a smile on my face.”’