The Bills added more rookies to their roster agreeing to terms with 13 undrafted free agents Friday. Here’s a brief rundown on each of Buffalo’s newest players.
By Anthony Sambrotto / Contributing Correspondent
Not long after the draft ended the Bills got to work on filling out their roster with 13 undrafted free agents. Here is the list of players including a local University at Buffalo product.
TE Jason Croom – 6-4, 246 – Tennessee
Croom spent five years with the Volunteers. He switched his position from wide receiver to tight end in the spring of 2016. He was also the MVP of the Tropical Bowl, a pre-draft college showcase game, scoring a pair of touchdowns.
RB Jordan Johnson – 6-1, 220 – Buffalo
The local product finished his career at UB with the sixth-most rushing yards in school history. Johnson went to Sweet Home high school and joins Branden Oliver as Bulls’ running backs to get picked up as undrafted free agents in recent years.
DE Marquavius Lewis – 6-3, 270 – South Carolina
Started every game in his two-year Gamecock career. Lewis possesses athleticism up the middle and was also one of four permanent team captains at South Carolina.
P Austin Rehkow – 6-3, 214 – Idaho
One of the few specialists in the nation to handle both punting and kicking duties. Rehkow had 26 of his 56 punts in 2016 land inside the 20 and his accuracy on kicks has improved each season. In high school, Rehkow hit a 67-yard field goal, which was one yard off the national record.
WR Brandon Reilly – 6-2, 200 – Nebraska
Reilly originally walked on to the Nebraska program, but earned a scholarship prior to his sophomore season. Reilly finished his career with 70 receptions for 1,275 yards. His biggest catch came against Michigan State in 2015, when he caught the game-winning touchdown as time expired.
G Greg Pyke – 6-5, 320 – Georgia
Pyke started 26 games at right guard in 2014 and 2015, but moved to tackle last year. He helped block for some of the best rushers in the nation, including Todd Gurley and Nick Chubb. Pyke joins former Bulldog Cordy Glenn on Buffalo’s offensive line.
S B.T. Sanders – 6-0, 195 – Nicholls State
Sanders is known for his tackling ability and has been a mainstay in the Nicholls State secondary. In 2015, he was second on the team in tackles and was named a Second Team All-Southland selection.
CB Marcus Sayles – 5-10, 170 – West Georgia
Sayles made a pre-draft visit to Buffalo, and put together an impressive pro day with a 40-time of 4.49. Sayles makes up for his size with his speed and agility. He set a school record by blocking 13 kicks and started 46-of-47 games in his four-year career, with 12 interceptions in that span.
WR Daikiel Shorts – 6-1, 202 – West Virginia
Shorts led the Mountaineers in receiving in 2016 with 894 yards and five touchdowns. He caught at least one pass in 27 consecutive games and was called ‘Mr. Third Down’ by his teammates for consistently making big plays for West Virginia.
TE Keith Towbridge – 6-5, 262 – Louisville
The tight end has a big frame, but also enough speed to get up the middle of the field. Only had 21 career receptions with Louisville, but caught three touchdowns in 2015.
S Jeremy Tyler – 5-11, 207 – West Virginia
Steadily improved with each season at West Virginia, and started all 13 games in 2016 with 56 tackles and two interceptions. Tyler saw extensive playing time on special teams, and played a team-high 404 snaps in 2015.
DT – Nigel Williams – 6-2, 297 – Virginia Tech
Appeared in 51 games with the Hokies, recording seven sacks. Williams also contributes on special teams and was named Honorable Mention All-ACC. He joins former Hokies Tyrod Taylor and Logan Thomas in Buffalo.
G – Zach Voytek – 6-5, 305 – New Haven
An American Football Coaches Association Division II 1st-Team All-American in 2016, Voytek played left tackle his entire college career and was a three-time Northeast-10 Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year. Some NFL scouts projected him to guard at the NFL level.