ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — When the Buffalo Bills visit Los Angeles on Saturday night, there will be one player on the Chargers' sideline who might be easily recognized here in Western New York.
Linebacker Khalil Mack is a defensive star for the Chargers. He made a name for himself and helped raise the nationwide profile of the University at Buffalo football program.
Mack was a former UB standout who was the fifth overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft and is now in his second season with the Chargers. The 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year attended this year's UB's Blue and White spring game.
"He's walking proof that if you want to go be a first-round draft pick or want to be a top-five draft pick, just look over your shoulder. Look at 46," Bulls coach Maurice Linguist told 2 On Your Side in April.
The Chargers also had former UB running Jaret Patterson for much of the season. He signed to the practice squad in Week 2 but was released Wednesday. He played with the Commanders the previous two seasons before being cut on Aug. 28.
Patterson enjoyed a memorable run with the Bulls from 2018 to 2020 when he ran for nearly 3,900 yards and 52 touchdowns. In only six games during a COVID-shortened 2020 season, Patterson ran for 1,072 yards and 19 touchdowns, and he led the nation with an average of 178.7 yards per game.
In his first two NFL seasons, he had 85 carries for 344 yards and two touchdowns in 20 games.
