NFL draft: Who could go pro from UB, Western New York?

Don’t anticipate the University at Buffalo football program to have many, if any, players selected in the NFL draft this week. Don’t anticipate the Bulls to be completely shut out, either.

The draft begins Thursday and continues through Saturday, and UB has had 15 players drafted by NFL teams in program history but only one in the last six draft cycles: The Las Vegas Raiders selected defensive end Malcolm Koonce at No. 79 of the third round in 2021.

UB football coach Pete Lembo and his staff want to make Western New York a priority, but the outreach isn’t just about recruiting and building the program. It is also about ingraining and promoting the UB football brand in Western New York.

A handful of others who once played at UB then transferred to programs also have been drafted in recent years, including wide receivers Charlie Jones (2023, fourth round, Cincinnati Bengals) and K.J. Osborn (2020, fifth round Minnesota Vikings). Jones played at UB from 2017-18 before transferring to Iowa, then to Purdue, and Osborn at UB from 2015-18 before transferring to Miami (Fla).

If there are former Bulls in the pros, they probably made it to the NFL by signing as an undrafted free agent. The most notable ones from UB in recent years include Cam Lewis, a cornerback who signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2019, and Jaret Patterson, a running back who signed with Washington in 2021 and is now with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Here’s a look at players from UB or with ties to UB and Western New York who could be taken in late rounds, or could join teams as undrafted free agents or training-camp invitees:

UB products

Joe Andreessen, linebacker: The Football Championship Subdivision All-American in 2022 knew that if he wanted to get a crack at the NFL, he’d have to produce at the Football Bowl Subdivision level. The Lancaster graduate led the Bulls in tackles (90). He worked out at the Bills’ local pro day April 12, and has met with the New England Patriots.

Gabe Wallace, offensive line: At 6-foot-6, 334 pounds, he rotated between left guard and left tackle last season for the Bulls, and his versatility will help his chances to play at the professional level. In 47 games over the last three seasons, Wallace started 38 games at guard, seven games at left tackle and two at right tackle.

‘He keeps going’: How choices, habits have helped UB’s Joe Andreessen thrive

Andreessen, a Lancaster High School graduate, has become one of the stabilizing forces in the middle of UB’s defense.

Alex McNulty, kicker: Specialists aren’t necessarily sought after in the NFL draft and historically, it’s difficult to project where a kicker could be drafted. McNulty, though, could be a free-agent pickup despite struggling with consistency last season. He went 11-for-19 on field goals but 8-for-9 on kicks of 40-49 yards. He also could emerge as a kickoff specialist after averaging 62.6 yards on 49 kickoffs, including 32 that went for touchbacks.

UB, WNY ties

Dylan McDuffie, RB, Kansas/Georgia Tech/UB: Playing at UB from 2018-21, he ran for 1,049 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2021 but rushed for only 298 yards and five touchdowns in the next two seasons at Georgia Tech and Kansas. However, The Sporting News projects the Bills to take a late-round flier on McDuffie in this year’s draft.

Mike Novitsky, C, Kansas/UB: UB’s starting center in 2019 and 2020 transferred to Kansas after Lance Leipold left the Bulls to become the Jayhawks coach. The Victor graduate has earned either All-Mid-American Conference or All-Big 12 honors in five seasons of college football.

Dylan Kelly, LB, Albany: The Williamsville North graduate was a Football Championship Subdivision All-American in 2023. He had 159 tackles, three sacks, two fumble recoveries, three quarterback hurries, two interceptions and two pass breakups in 15 games.