Frank Gore Jr. 'prayed' he could join Bills, says there's 'no way' 257 prospects were better
The Gore family waited by the phone throughout day three of the 2024 NFL Draft, Frank Jr. anxiously awaiting a call that would serve as the realization of a lifetimeās worth of hard work, perseverance, and resilience. His father, legendary running back Frank Sr., waited alongside his son, he, too, anticipating the moment in which his son would formally enter the league he played in for nearly two decades.
The call would not come during the draft itself.
Frank Gore Jr. would fall through the cracks of the 2024 NFL Draft, with each of the eventās 257 picks used on different prospects. It was a bit of a shock for Gore Jr., who picked up 4,714 yards from scrimmage and 30 total touchdowns throughout his four years at Southern Mississippi, but it wasnāt a demoralizing, all-encompassing blow; it was instead a source of motivation, an opportunity to choose his own destination and carve out a spot for a team that wanted him as badly as he wanted them.
And that team was the Buffalo Bills.
āI was praying and hoping that I could come here,ā Gore Jr. told reporters after the first day of the Billsā 2024 rookie minicamp. āMy prayers are answered.ā
Gore Jr. has a bit of familiarity with Western New York, as his father donned the iconic ācharging Buffaloā helmet in the 2019 NFL season, the penultimate of the 16 he would play in the NFL. Frank Gore rushed for 599 yards that year, accounting for just a small sliver of the 16,000 he wracked up throughout his career en route to becoming the NFLās third all-time leading rusher.
Related: CBS Sports Ranks Bills' UDFA Signing of Frank Gore Jr. as One of NFL's Best
And his son has fond memories of his dadās time in Buffalo, particularly of the passion the teamās supporters operate with. He spoke about their fervor to the media on Friday, even singing the teamās Shout Song.ā
āIt was great, I came to like three games,ā Gore Jr. said. āIt was cold when they played the Jets at the end of the season, but I loved it here. What [do] they say? Ey-ey-ey-ey? I loved that one, I love that. This was one of the most enthusiastic places Iāve ever been.ā
Excitement and heritage aside, Gore Jr. faces an uphill climb to a roster spot. Heās got some agility and elusivenessāthis demonstrated throughout his time at Southern Missābut heās undersized by NFL standards. Heās also a less-than-inspiring athlete, registering a remarkably low 0.60 relative athletic score (out of 10).
He also joins a crowded Buffalo running back room topped by third-year back James Cook, fourth-round pick Ray Davis, and the returning Ty Johnson; just as going undrafted wasnāt a devastating blow, Gore Jr. isnāt going to shy away from competition.
ā[Iāll] come every day,ā Gore Jr. said. āCome to learn. Come to get better. Find a way on special teams. Just anyway that I can help this team get over the hump and be able to contribute to the team.ā
Though Gore Jr., like any undrafted free agent, is a long shot to make his teamās active roster, heās eager to prove his doubters wrong. Heās a great story who wants to be a great player, an undrafted running back whoās using the fact that he went unselected to light a fire under him and push him to a spot on the roster.
āIt pushed me a lot,ā Gore Jr. āI feel like thereās no way 257 people were better than me in this draft. Now that that process is over, Iām a Bill, and Iām here to compete. Iām here to push my teammates and push the running back room and try to get on special teams.ā