He proved at the University of Alabama that one does not have to be a five-star athlete in order to make an impact, and this same mindset has him in a great position at Buffalo.
Levi Wallace was not selected through seven rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft; however, the Bills saw something special about him and signed him as an undrafted free agent in May. He worked all spring and summer with the team, impressing teammates and coaches with his work ethic.
Despite not making the 53-man roster, the former Tide star and Arizona native was a consistent force on the practice squad. Whether it was during the offseason or throughout the fall, there was not a moment where the Bills did not capture Wallace giving full effort. His father – Walter Wallace – taught him that perseverance pays off, and the son learned it in a joyous way as Buffalo announced on Tuesday that it has called Wallace to the active roster moving forward.
Per Chris Browns, insider for the Bills, the franchise released Phillip Gaines yet it provides Wallace with a chance to show his worth. After competing against the likes of Amari Cooper, DeAndrew White, Christion Jones and Calvin Ridley in practice as a walk-on, Wallace earned an athletic scholarship from Alabama in the summer of 2016 and became a superstar in the following season.
During the program’s run to a College Football Playoff national title, he led the team and the nation in pass breakups with 15 while securing three interceptions – including one returned for a touchdown versus the Mississippi Rebels.
He finished the season among the leaders in tackles (48), tackles for loss (4.5) and sacks (two). Wallace’s two picks against Ole Miss at Bryant-Denny Stadium earned him SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
He beat the odds in Tuscaloosa and now he has a chance to be dynamic for the Bills. Tide nation cheers for Wallace as he has made the active roster.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
