Photo Courtesy - Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports
The Buffalo Bills are truly New York State’s only team in the NFL. This creates a great opportunity to sign former Upstate New York UDFA’s.
With the Bills just signing linebacker Joe Andressen, the former UB Bull from Depew, NY, he’ll be looking for a chance to make the final 53-man roster.
Former Upstate New York UDFA’s
The NFL rookie camp began on Friday, May 10, and continued through Saturday, May 11.
Three players tried out from the UB Bulls; Kicker Alex McNulty, Receiver Cole Harrity, and Linebacker Jyaire Stevens.
From the Syracuse Orange; Safety Jason Simmons Jr., Cornerback Trill Williams, and WR/KR D’Marcus Adams.
Let’s take a look at the following UDFA rookies and what they can bring to the Buffalo Bills:
Alex McNulty
The long-legged kicker started his NCAA Division I career with the UB Bulls in 2018. He ended his collegiate journey as the Bull’s program leader with 60 field goals, 189 PATs, and 369 total points tallied.
He was an All-MAC kicker in 2022 after making 24 field goals. McNulty was also a pioneer UB Bull to be recognized as MAC Special Teams Player of the Year.
The native Caledonia, New Yorker, will look to kick his way into making the roster as a potential kickoff specialist. He will look to build trust with current kicker Tyler Bass.
Cole Harrity
The wideout played two seasons for the UB Bulls and did not disappoint. He played in 25 games and tallied 464 yards on 48 catches.
Additionally, Harrity played two seasons at New Mexico State before transferring to the 716.
This young man embraces being an underdog and will look to use his talents to possibly crack a practice squad spot.
Jyaire Stevens
The twitchy linebacker played for UB as a grad student last year. In 12 games played, Stevens made 25 tackles, four for a loss, and one sack.
Prior to UB, Stevens earned his undergraduate degree and played for four years at Lafayette College.
Look for the native Wappingers Falls, New Yorker, to get after quarterbacks and to help stop the run.
Jason Simmons Jr.
Simmons Jr. earned his rookie minicamp invite after three years at Syracuse University. He transferred in from New Mexico State before 2021.
At SU, the ball-active safety made 127 tackles, 18 pass breakups and four interceptions. Simmons is an old-school safety who is athletic, quick, and has a nose for knocking defenders low.
I would compare the play of Simmons to former pro football star, Rodney Harrison.
Trill Williams
Williams is the only one on this list who already has NFL experience. In 2022, the corner was having a great training camp with the Miami Dolphins.
Sadly, however, he got hit with the injury bug again, causing him to miss the remainder of the 2022 season.
If the native Yonkers, New Yorker can stay healthy, he has a chance to be a wild card to make the Bills roster at the corner position.
D’Marcus Adams
The combo wide receiver/kick returner may not bring much as far as wide receiver skills, but boy, can he fly. Adams was mainly used at Syracuse as a deep-threat wide receiver and kick returner.
Because of the NFL going to the XFL-style kickoff rule, return specialists are important again, so he may make the roster to do mainly that.
Congratulations go out to Andreessen for officially signing a 1-year deal with the Bills last Saturday.
Let’s now see how the other Upstate New York UDFA’s pan out.
