Dolac's dream of an NFL Career Becomes Reality Sunday

Former WNY High School standout takes field with Rams Sunday

Inglewood, CA - Reality is starting to settle in for Shaun Dolac. The western New York native and former West Seneca East graduate is set to make his NFL debut this Sunday when the Los Angeles Rams host the Houston Texans.

“I feel I’m right where I belong,” Dolac said. “This is what I was born to do, this is what I’ve been working for my whole life.” 

Despite not having any Division 1 offers to play football out of high school, Dolac gambled on himself by taking a lonely and unconventional path to this stage. He turned down a full ride to play lacrosse at the University of Albany, instead choosing to play football at the Milford Academy in New Berlin, NY. 

Former pro LeSean McCoy also attended Milford and went on to star in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles and also spent time with the Buffalo Bills and then the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers where he won two Super Bowls.

Dolac dominated at Milford, but still did not attract major attention. So he continued to work his tail off and in 2020 joined the University of Buffalo as a preferred walk on. He would earn a full scholarship from the Bulls ahead of the 2021 season. He would go on to become the first Consensus All-American in UB program history following a remarkable 2024 season.

Despite several post season honors, Dolac would go undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. The LA Rams signed him soon after and he’s been getting after it ever since.

All of the hard work and determination is starting to pay off for Dolac.

“The biggest obstacle is just believing in yourself. That’s the biggest thing because if you don't believe in yourself, the negative energy creeps in,” Dolac said. “Trusting the process and learning from guys and taking advice from the guys and using it to your own gain. It’s what I’ve always done and what I will continue to do.”

You could ask any of Dolac’s former coaches, teammates or close family members and they’d all tell you the same thing, this is exactly where he belongs. 

Of course it wasn’t easy and not without personal heartbreak along the way. His family has been by his side the entire way and continue to provide a great support system. 

A significant influence in his life, John Dolac, Shawn’s father, died of esophageal cancer when he was just 15 years old. As Dolac took the field for his first preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys last August, he was mic’d up and could be heard whispering to his late Father as he reached the end zone after running onto the field. 

“That’s when the emotions hit me a bit,” Dolac said. Still, the young man knew he had to focus. 

“I had a sense of calmness because of all the preparation of going into it, all the training got me ready for the moment. When I took the field though the excitement started to come out. It was a very emotional moment when I reached the endzone. I just knew I was where I was supposed to be.”

Dolac had performed well enough in his first two preseason games that the Rams coaching staff decided it would be best to not play in their final exhibition game in Cleveland.

“Midweek I was told I’d see limited reps (against Cleveland) and on that Friday they told me I’d only play in an emergency situation,” Dolac said. “That Saturday in Cleveland I was told you’re not playing at all and that’s when I started to feel I might have made it.”

Dolac had all his family and friends in Cleveland hoping to see him play, but even though that didn’t happen he was able to meet them that Saturday. On Friday night before he was able to spend a little time with his Mother and girlfriend. 

“Yea, I was pissed I didn’t get to play,” he said somewhat jokingly. “I was so focussed on the game, so I didn't really get to process it, but on the plane ride home it started to hit me that I made the 53-man roster.”

He shared the news immediately with his family and girlfriend.

Dolac has been living in hotel rooms lately but says he will be moving into a home near Los Angeles soon.

Since being drafted, Dolac says that the veteran linebackers and others have been very supportive and welcoming.  “I’ve been blessed to be part of this organization and they’ve embraced me.”

“Jarquez (Hunter) is my locker buddy, he’s the kid from Auburn they took in the 4th round, we talk to each other all the time and have fun with one another, he’s been someone I can get comfortable with.”

Rams starting linebackers Nate Landman and Troy Reader have really taken him in and helped show the ropes ever since Dolac arrived. “I’m learning from them and taking advice and using it to my advantage.”

“The preparation between college and now isn’t much different, I'm taking the same approach, surrounding myself with great people, starting with UB, listening to my coaches there and finding what works best for you and taking the daily routine and transition it to the NFL,” Dolac said.

On Sunday, the dream becomes reality and Shaun Dolac will be exactly where he was meant to be. And his Dad will have the best seat in the house.

Feature Image Courtesy of the Los Angeles Rams