The NFL Draft is just a week away, and for some college stars, the path to professional football has been a lifelong ambition. For others, like University at Buffalo offensive lineman Tyler Doty, the realization of their potential has been a more gradual journey.

"Never would’ve thought I’d be where I’m at now," said Doty, a native of Gasport in Niagara County and graduate of St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute in Buffalo, where he won the Trench Trophy Award as Western New York’s top high school lineman.

For Doty, working out for pro scouts at UB’s Pro Day in late March seemed farfetched when he stepped on to campus at UB six years ago.

"Coming in, I thought I was pretty honestly average, a very average player," Doty said.

However, he developed into the one of the best offensive linemen in the Mid-American Conference, the first in program history to earn All-MAC honors three times.

Now, he has a chance to make it to the NFL.

"Over the last three years, I’ve probably improved more than I ever have in my entire life at football," Doty said.

Growing up in a farm town in Niagara County, Doty has size and strength. But it takes more than that to reach the sport’s highest level.

"I’m an extremely hard worker," he said. "I’ll do anything to make it. I’ll play any position. I’ll do literally anything to make a team. I’m a team player. I don’t think about myself," he said.

Determination helped push him through the toughest workouts of his life as he prepared for his showcase for the scouts at UB’s Pro Day, where he recorded personal bests in several events.

"Once I started training and realizing that I can do this," he said, "I can actually run fast. I can change direction. It just took off."

His dream only recently became real.

"If I got anything from this, I would just be extremely grateful,” Doty said. "It’s not guaranteed; nothing’s guaranteed. Not even doing today was guaranteed. I’d be extremely grateful."

Doty knows his path to the NFL is likely as a free agent after the draft, but he said he’s ready to make the most of any opportunity.