Buffalo Bills sign Frank Gore Jr. as UDFA from Southern Miss: Pros, cons

Buffalo Bills sign Frank Gore Jr. as UDFA from Southern Miss: Pros, cons

HATTIESBURG — The Buffalo Payments added a working again acquainted to many NFL followers. Frank Gore Jr. of Southern Miss signed as an undrafted free agent after he wasn’t chosen within the 2024 NFL Draft.

Sure, Gore is the son of Frank Gore Sr., the legendary NFL working again who’s third within the league all-time profession speeding record with 16,000 yards.

Right here’s what Gore brings to the Payments, primarily based on our observations from his tenure at Southern Miss.

What Frank Gore Jr. brings to the Buffalo Payments

Gore Jr. will mechanically be in comparison with his father. To some extent, he has among the similar traits that introduced Gore Sr. success. 

First, he’s extraordinarily sturdy. Gore Jr. led Southern Miss in speeding yards in every of his 4 seasons and by no means missed a recreation. He completed with 4,022 speeding yards and 26 touchdowns. 

A few of his largest strengths although are within the nitty gritty. He’s acquired nice imaginative and prescient and stability that enables him to make sharp cuts. Gore Jr. additionally tends to fall ahead by way of contact to achieve additional yards.

Gore Jr. performed particular groups at Southern Miss, too.

Frank Gore Jr.’s highlights, strengths, weaknesses at Southern Miss soccer

One of many largest issues for Gore Jr. is his velocity. He lacked breakaway potential at instances, and that ought to solely grow to be harder within the NFL. 

Based on NFL.com, scouts are additionally skeptical about his small catch radius and move blocking. Gore Jr. caught 75 passes in his profession for 692 yards and 4 touchdowns.

He has good lower-body power, however he’s nonetheless small at 5-foot-8, 201 kilos. 

His marquee second got here within the 2022 Lending Tree Bowl when he ran for 329 yards, two speeding touchdowns and one receiving landing. It’s the NCAA document for many speeding yards in a bowl recreation by a single participant.

GORE:Groups illegally requested Frank Gore Jr. to switch. Why he stayed with Southern Miss soccer.

Frank Gore Jr.’s stats at Southern Miss soccer

  • 759 carries
  • 4,022 speeding yards
  • 5.3 yards per carry
  • 26 speeding touchdowns
  • 75 receptions
  • 692 receiving yards
  • 4 receiving touchdowns

Frank Gore Jr’s potential in NFL

Gore Jr. has potential to be an affect NFL participant, however he’s going to need to earn it. His capability to contribute as a particular groups participant may assist him early. 

However he doesn’t have the traits of a typical third-down again. If he can enhance his expertise as a move catcher and move blocker, that would make him extra well-rounded.

Sam Sklar is the Southern Miss beat reporter for the Hattiesburg American. E mail him at ssklar@hattiesb.gannett.com and observe him on X @sklarsam_.