Big congratulations to Tyrell Shavers!
When Tyrell Shavers first joined the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2023, he was just another hopeful in a crowded camp on a tougher team than most to make. Yet after years of perseverance—from practice squad call-ups to highlight plays—Shavers has finally cracked the 53-man roster, and I couldn't be happier for him. Driven by true grit and perseverance, he exemplifies everything that I've always associated Buffalo with.
Think about what it takes to keep pushing, knowing there are more talented, faster players with better name recognition and pedigree above you. Knowing that the odds are stacked against you to make a practice squad, let alone an NFL roster. Tyrell doesn't have "quit" in his DNA.
College Career: From Special Teams Spark to Reliable Target
Shavers began his college career at Alabama, where he redshirted his freshman year and appeared in 28 games over three seasons. Opportunities on offense were limited—he recorded just one catch for 20 yards and a 14-yard rush in 2019—but he made his mark on special teams. His standout moment came that same year against Texas A&M, when he scooped up a blocked punt and returned it for a touchdown. After three years in Tuscaloosa, Shavers entered the transfer portal in search of a bigger role.
He landed at Mississippi State, where he joined Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense in 2020. Shavers wasted no time making an impact, catching a 31-yard touchdown against #6 LSU—the Bulldogs’ first score of the season and Leach’s first as head coach. Though his stay in Starkville was brief, he finished with nine receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown before once again entering the portal.
Shavers found stability at San Diego State, where his size and versatility allowed him to flourish. In his first season with the Aztecs, he hauled in 18 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns. By 2022, he had developed into one of the team’s most dependable playmakers, posting career highs with 38 catches for 643 yards and three touchdowns while also continuing to shine on special teams. That season, he blocked a punt against Boise State and returned it for a score—one of three blocked punts he recorded in his SDSU career, tying the program’s all-time mark. His performance earned him second-team All-Mountain West honors, cementing his reputation as both a reliable receiver and a special teams ace.
From UDFA to Roster Sniper
Shavers, standing 6'4", 211 lbs, boasts rare size plus surprising agility—4.59 40-yard dash, 9 3/4” hands, and a 33.5” vertical—that make him a legitimate contested-catch threat.
After a season-ending climb back onto the practice squad following his 2023 signing, the signs of his coming breakout began to show late in the year. In Week 17 against the Jets, Shavers took his very first NFL target—an across-the-formation screen pass—and turned it into a 69-yard touchdown. That night, we got a glimpse of what Shavers can do when given a chance.
Earning Coaches’ Trust and Proving Trustworthy
This offseason and preseason, Shavers took every opportunity to elevate his presence. Even after rolling an ankle in July, he pushed through, showing resilience and earning praise from the coaching staff:
“The trust factor with him … just goes up and up every year,” — Sean McDermott
“I trust Shaves. … When you have trust in a player and know he’s where he needs to be … it makes our lives so much easier.” — OC Joe Brady
At camp, Shavers drew attention as a “training camp crush,” bouncing back from injury to show precise releases, separation skills, and tenacity.
Standing Out When It Counts
Shavers didn’t just make the team—he made it impossible to cut. In the preseason finale against Tampa Bay, he delivered a dramatic, one-handed touchdown catch, then punished the returner on the next kickoff with a blocked run-out, sealing his roster spot in unmistakable style.
Buffalo Rumblings even sums up the narrative best:
“Shavers should be viewed more as a lock than a surprise addition.”
What He Brings to the Table This Season
Special Teams Value – Shavers’ willingness to play gunner and cover kicks might keep him active on Sundays, even if he’s not targeted heavily.
Big-Play Potential – His screen game prowess and ability to gain yards after contact provide Josh Allen another high-upside option.
Versatility & Growth – Having learned QB Trubisky’s and Allen’s timing, Joe Brady trusts him; depth WR rooms need trusted, coachable players like Shavers.
Final Thought: From Practice Squad to Playmaker
This is the kind of story I thrive on: the overlooked UDFA who earns the trust, seizes the spotlight, and becomes part of the team’s heartbeat. Shavers made the roster because he fought for every inch — now the next question is: What does his next gear look like?
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