At the end of last year, the Bulls were unsure if one of the most dominant defensive players in program history would return for his senior season.
During a trip to linebacker Khalil Mack's Fort Pierce, Fla., home in the offseason, head coach Jeff Quinn and his staff convinced Mack to return and graduate as a Bull instead of pursuing the NFL Draft.
The soon-to-be senior Mack returns to cement a linebacking core looking to take the Buffalo 'D' to the next level.
Mack, a two-time All-Mid American Conference first-team selection, decided he had 'Unfinished Business' - Quinn's slogan - at Buffalo. Mack has high hopes for both the team and the linebacking unit, but he doesn't expect it to be easy.
"We have to keep grinding," Mack said. "We can't expect anyone to give us anything. That's the approach we're going to take - we have to take it by force."
Mack's presence, drawing double-teams and taking on multiple blockers, allows other linebackers to step up and produce.
Junior Lee Skinner is one athlete expected to contribute in a big way. In 2012, he finished second on the team in tackles (89) and fourth in sacks (five). Mack led the team in both categories. Quinn expects Skinner to bring some leadership to the linebackers and take some of the pressure off Mack.
"Lee sets the tone," Quinn said. "He's the middle backer and very dependable, durable and reliable, and continues to get better by studying more film."
New faces will also be called upon to play major roles in the upcoming season, including junior Kendall Roberson, sophomore Waylon Fink and junior transfer Blake Bean.
Although Skinner is a proven veteran, Mack will still be heavily relied upon to make the defense work.
"He is the best player in the MAC and one of the best players in the country," Quinn said. "But he's got to go out there and prove it. He's a competitor and has to go out there on his 'A' game every day and be relentless on his attack. He's been blessed with some gifts, but he's trained very hard [to get where he is]."
The loss of Steven Means is felt on the defensive line and among the linebackers. A good defensive line makes a linebacker's job much easier, and senior lineman Colby Way will be called upon in Means' absence.
"[Way] is a great leader on the defensive line," Skinner said. "We're missing some key guys, but we have a lot of great guys coming in and stepping up and making big plays."
Mack will likely be drafted after this season, but for now, he has a major personal accomplishment within his grasp. Mack will enter the season only 19 tackles short of the all-time NCAA record for tackles for loss.
Last season, the Bulls surprised Georgia with a strong defensive performance in their season-opening game. The Bulls will start this season with two tough challenges against Ohio State and Baylor.
With Mack returning and a solid linebacking core surrounding him, the Bulls' defense aims to turn some heads on a big stage.
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Photo: Courtesy of UB Athletics
