INDIANAPOLIS -- The 2025 NFL Combine wraps up Sunday afternoon as over 300 prospects finish their interviews, medical evaluations and on-field workouts.
Prior to their on-field drills at Lucas Oil Stadium, these prospects met with national and local media to share more about their journeys to the NFL and what it would be like to play at the next level.
Here's what several prospects said about why they would want to play for Buffalo.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Will Johnson — CB, Michigan
Johnson, one of the top ranked corners in this year's class and a national champion with Michigan, shared that he interviewed with the Bills during the combine.
Johnson's uncle, Demeris Johnson, is a local pastor in the Buffalo area and is someone who has had an impact on the life of the likely first round selection.
"Still being there from Buffalo. He's a pastor, so helping me and my Christianity and staying strong on my faith. He's been one of my best trainers, too. So he and my dad are key roles in my life," Johnson said.
Johnson was a first team All-American in 2023 and the CFP National Championship Game Defensive MVP.
Azareye'h Thomas — CB, Florida State
Thomas spent all three of his collegiate seasons at FSU and started every game during his junior year. He recorded 53 total tackles, four pass breakups and one interception en route to an honorable mention for All-ACC in 2024.
His sophomore season, Thomas overlapped with several teammates who would go on to be drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, including Bills WR Keon Coleman. Thomas praised Coleman, along with WR Johnny Wilson (sixth round selection by the Eagles) for helping him grow as a defender.
"I thank the Lord every day that he sent me, not only Keon, but Johnny, all those guys," Thomas said. "I wouldn't be here without them guys right now, pushing me each and every day, competing, coming in as a freshman, getting thrown into the fire early."
Thomas said he would love to play with any of his former teammates, including Coleman.
"It'd be a blessing to play with any of my brothers," the corner said.
Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina
At 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, Emmanwori profiles as one of the most physical defensive backs entering the draft. The AP first-team All-American last season told media at the combine that he models his game after Derwin James, Kam Chancellor and Kyle Hamilton.
Emmanwori set the combine ablaze with a 4.38-second 40-yard dash and had a 43-inch vertical jump. During his media session, Emmanwori confirmed he met formally with the Bills and said if he were drafted by Buffalo, one of the best attributes he'd provide is his positive energy.
"That's been my whole motto, just be positive. Always smiling, always laughing," he said.
Don't make no mistake about it though, Emmanwori said he knows how to channel that positive energy into physicality.
"I'm a bigger dude and I can run. I'm not really scared to go make tackles. I'm not scared to go cover any slots, cover any tight ends," he said.
Emmanwori racked up 244 tackles, 11 pass breakups, six INTs and two pick-sixes in three seasons at South Carolina.
Malaki Starks, S, Georgia,
Starks made waves at Georgia from the get-go, earning the starting free safety role as a true freshman in 2022. He went on to lead the team in total defensive snaps that year. Starks told reporters in Indianapolis that what helped him stand out as a freshman was his ability to cover then-teammate TE Brock Bowers in practice.
A year later, Starks was named first team All-SEC and helped lead the Bulldogs to a national championship.
Starks was recruited to Georgia by Buffalo Bills cornerbacks coach Jahmile Addae, who was Georgia's DBs coach in 2021 before he went to become Miami's secondary coach.
Starks shared that he interviewed with the Bills at the combine and would love a chance to play for a coach who recruited him out of high school.
"It was great to talk ball with them, be in my space," said Starks, who noted his enthusiasm for studying film.
In addition to his on-field acumen, Starks is a leader in the locker room. He was named a finalist for the Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup, an award given to athletes who embody the leadership, service and excellence values of legendary coach John Wooden.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
Kenneth Grant — DT, Michigan
The 6-foot-3, 331-pound defensive lineman said he had a "smooth" meeting with the Bills during the week. Grant described himself as an "unselfish guy" when it comes to his production, saying he enjoys his teammate's success as much as his own.
"If he eats, I eat. If I eat, he eats," he said.
Grant won a national championship with Michigan in 2023 then followed it up with a second team All-Big 10 and third team All-American selection this past season.
Grant quickly became a national sensation during his sophomore season when he chased down Penn State running back Kaytron Allen in the open field to save a potential touchdown. He believes he can be an every down player at the next level.
"I'm a three down player, for sure," Grant said. "I can rush the passer with my strength, add a little bit of finesse in there. Most guys think I'm just a run stopper, but I'm super athletic.
Walter Nolen, — DT, Mississippi
A first team All-SEC defensive lineman in 2024, Nolen made a habit of being disruptive at the line of scrimmage with 6.5 sacks. He measured in at the combine 6-foot-3, 296-pounds and described his play style to reporters as "violent and physical."
Nolen shared that he met with the Bills, among other clubs, and one of his goals in interviews is to come across as authentic as possible.
"I'm a real person. I feel like a lot of people come in and be a robot. That's just not me. I'm gonna keep it real with you at all times," Nolen said.
Princely Umanmielen— DE, Mississippi
Umanmielen began his collegiate career at Florida (2020-2023) before transferring to Ole Miss for his final season where he finished second in the SEC in total sacks with 10.5.
At 6-foot-4, 244 pounds, the Austin, Texas native said he models his game after Bills edge rusher Von Miller.
"I feel like I pass rush very instinctively," Umanmielen said. "As far as Von Miller's game goes, I feel like a rush very similar to him with just the get-off and bend and quickness off the edge."
He also is confident in his ability to set the edge when playing against the run.
"There's a lot of times on film where I'll do just enough to set the edge when I can really disrupt the play, and I know I can disrupt the play," Umanmielen said. "Just capitalizing and utilizing the power that I have against offensive sides."
WIDE RECEIVERS
Matthew Golden — Texas
Golden was Daniel Jeremiah's pick to go No. 30 to the Bills in his most recent mock draft and the Texas WR confirmed he met formally with Buffalo during the combine.
"Just going over the concepts and the type of way they run the offense," Golden said of the meeting. "Obviously, Josh Allen, he's a mobile quarterback. He likes to get outside the pocket, so being able to make plays and extend plays for him, it'd be cool."
Golden started his collegiate career in Houston playing alongside WR Tank Dell before transferring to Texas in 2024. He had his best statistical season playing with the Longhorn, finishing with 987 yards and 9 touchdowns on 58 catches.
Golden ranked third in the SEC in receiving yards and tied for first in receiving touchdowns.
"Just being a reliable receiver. Whenever you need that clutch play I'm gonna be there. I I can make any play that's coming towards me. That's just being on the same page with the quarterback," Golden said.
The Texas WR improved his stock during the combine with the fastest 40-yard dash time of any receiver, clocking in at 4.29.
Emeka Egbuka — Ohio State
Ohio State's all-time leader in receptions, Egbuka is widely viewed as a top 40 player in this year's class. In some mock drafts, he has been linked to the Bills, Texans, Commanders, Broncos and more in the first round. Egbuka said it would be a blessing to play with any of the teams with a top QB and mentioned Josh Allen as one of those players.
"Josh Allen, MVP. He's doing everything the right way," Egbuka said.
Egbuka has the ability to play both inside and outside as a receiver and racked up 205 receptions, 2,868 receiving yards, and 24 touchdowns in four seasons with the Buckeyes.
Elic Ayomanor — Stanford
The Canadian-born outside receiver listed at 6-foot-2, 206-pounds also put together an impressive showing at the combine. Ayomanor ran a 4.47 40-yard dash to go along with a 38.5-inch vertical.
In 2023, Ayomanor set the Stanford school record for most receiving yards in a game (294) and finished the season with over 1,000 yards. In 2024, he recorded 831 yards and six TDs and was a second team All-ACC selection.
Ayomanor shared that he'd love to catch passes from any of the top QBs in the NFL, including Josh Allen.
"It'd be a blessing. Anytime you get a chance to play with one of the best quarterbacks in the game, that would be great," he said.
RUNNING BACKS
LaQuint Allen — Syracuse
The speedy back put up over 1,000 yards rushing each of the last two years at Syracuse and also boasts the profile of a receiving back with 102 receptions for 731 yards and five touchdowns during that span.
Allen said he's familiar with the Buffalo area and would love to start his pro career as a Bill.
"Representing the Buffalo Bills, I love the area. I'm familiar with the area," he said. "And I love the cold, too."
Go behind the scenes with Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane during NFL Combine Week in Indianapolis. Beane meets with the media, Sirius XM Radio, CBS Sports, Pro Football Talk and makes a special appearance on the Pat McAfee Show inside Lucus Oil Stadium.
