The 2024 NFL preseason is now in the books with a familiar face leading the rookie class in rushing.
Frank Gore, Jr., a four-year starter at Southern Miss before turning pro, has made a serious case as to why he deserves to be on the Buffalo Bills’ 53-man roster come the season opener next month.
The undrafted free agent capped off the preseason by rushing for 101 yards via 18 carries and a score against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday. The performance rounded out a preseason stat line for Gore that included 163 yards on 33 carries with an average of 4.9 yards per attempt.
According to Pro Football Focus, Gore also led the rookie class of running backs in yards after contact (102) and was graded the top rookie back this preseason (84.33).
Frank Gore Jr’s Ranks Among Rookie RBs this Preseason:
🔵 84.3 PFF Grade (1st)
🔵 163 Rush Yards (1st)
🔵 102 Yards AFTER Contact (1st)@SouthernMissFB pic.twitter.com/Im8Wir7bMf
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 26, 2024
Gore, who proved himself as a versatile player with the Golden Eagles, added three catches for 16 yards.
Going into the preseason, the 22-year-old was listed behind James Cook, Ray Davis, Ty Johnson, and Darrynton Evans on Buffalo’s depth chart. However, that has not been updated since Gore’s break-out performance in the preseason finale.
While only time will tell if Gore makes the Bills roster, there’s a good chance he does. If not, rest assured another team will try to scoop him off Buffalo’s practice squad.
From 2020-23 with Southern Miss, Gore rushed for 4,022 yards and 26 touchdowns. He had 692 yards and four touchdowns receiving while throwing for 368 yards and seven touchdowns when needed at the quarterback position.
