Gasport’s Tyler Doty taking aim at NFL career after six seasons at Buffalo
AMHERST — Gasport native Tyler Doty has taken the next step in an NFL dream that he has only had for the last few years.
Doty got to put his work on display in front of 20 NFL teams and two CFL teams at the University at Buffalo’s Pro Day.
It took until others showed him the NFL was possible for him to truly believe it himself. But once he did start to realize the highest level was a realistic possibility, he dedicated himself to the craft. He started working hard to try to make his way to the NFL.
Now he has a chance to make that dream a reality.
“Once I kind of started playing, getting reps, hearing things from other people, getting more interest from agents and other things. That’s when I realized that this could work out for me, for sure. And then as I continued as the years went on, I just got more comfortable playing football and loving football. Now it’s here and I wouldn’t take back anything I’ve done in the last 20 years of my life for this.”
He participated in the 40-yard dash, short shuttle, three-cone and blocking drills for scouts in what is the first time they have gotten to see the offensive lineman since the Hula Bowl on Jan. 10. During the Hula Bowl, Doty was scouted as one of the best offensive lineman at the event by media that were there.
Now, Doty is trying to be the first Buffalo offensive lineman to make the NFL since Kayode Awosika , who has played in the league since 2021.
“Honestly, I feel like I had a good day,” Doty said. “I’m really excited that I got to do it here and be with my teammates. I feel like today went pretty well for me, honestly. I’m really excited that I got to do it here and be with my teammates. I feel like today went pretty well for me honestly.”
Heading into the pro day, he was not nervous. Instead he was confident to show the assembled scouts what he can do and what he can bring to their team. It’s the same mindset that he played with on Saturdays.
The offensive guard played six years for Buffalo, starting in each of his last four seasons where he racked up three All-MAC selections, becoming the first UB offensive lineman to do so. It is a position that he expects to continue to play at the next level.
“I have strength, size and I think that I’m an extremely hard worker,” Doty said. “I’ll do anything to make it. I’ll play any position. I’ll do literally anything to make a team and be able to help a team. I think I’m a team player. I don’t think about myself in a lot of cases. I’m always trying to help my teammates get better, do something for my teammates. So that’s what I bring, for sure.”
Doty is expected to go undrafted and he knows that once he does get a chance, he will have to make the most of it. In anticipation of his pro day, Doty slimmed from 335 to 314. While the official roster lists him as 6–foot-4, 335 pounds, Doty said he has dropped the weight and is currently 6-5 1/2.
The move came as he is hoping to show the scouts his willingness to do what it takes to get to the next level.
“Honestly, I am happy with whatever happens and know that I gave everything that I had and I’m excited to see what comes from all this and I really hope that something does,” Doty said.
During the pre-draft process, Doty has only spoken to one team, the Seattle Seahawks . Doty said the discussions have been basic as they try to get to know him and judge his character.
Throughout the process, he has received plenty of advice from all different corners but one stands out above the rest, “enjoy it.”
“(It) goes by fast,” Doty said. “Pro Day was like two weeks away and it feels like it just came here really quick. So just don’t take advantage of this because you’ll never get it back. This is an important day and enjoy everything that you have.”
Doty’s next workout will be at the Buffalo Bills Local Day in April before he tries to get individual workouts with teams.
In the lead-up to the NFL Draft on April 23, Doty will be working on improving his footwork to prepare himself for a camp invite. He will be staying in the area to either work out with STA in Elma or train with UB head of strength and conditioning Ryan Horton.
“Definitely I’ll be probably taking a couple days off after this, just to get my body back healthy, probably get in the training room and then really just train,” Doty said. “I’m just going to continue to work on footwork, technique, all that stuff.”
