In three seasons at Alabama, wide receiver Tyrell Shavers had one reception and scored a touchdown on a blocked punt. After a redshirt year, he played in 28 games in 2018 and 2019 before transferring to Mississippi State.

But after a season on Buffalo’s practice squad, Shavers is battling for a role in the Bills’ passing game in 2024.

“So far, I’ve done a good job of taking advantage,” Shavers told the NFL team’s official website. “I just got to keep stacking every day. Not worrying about what I’ve done in the past, so tomorrow’s a new day. Tomorrow’s a new opportunity and take advantage of it. …

“It’s definitely a good feeling and just telling myself to keep doing what I’m doing. Not worry about what I can or can’t do. Just being aware of when I get my number called out there and make a play.”

Shavers had nine receptions at Mississippi State in 2020, then transferred to San Diego State for two seasons. After catching 38 passes for 643 yards and three touchdowns for the Aztecs in 2022, Shavers signed with the Bills as a rookie free agent. He caught a preseason touchdown pass, spent the season on Buffalo’s practice squad and re-signed with the team in January.

“Very impressed,” Buffalo coach Sean McDermott said when asked about Shavers this week. “Even if you go back to his rookie season, he’s so consistent — and even when he wasn’t playing — with his approach. One of the first players in the building, one of the last to leave, knows what we’re doing offensively, systematically, and he’s a great player. I mean, he’s, you know, when you look up ‘consistent’ in the dictionary, like his face shows up in my mind because he’s so consistent, and at a young age. I have a lot of respect and appreciation for that.”

Of the five wide receivers who had receptions last season for the Bills, only one returns – Khalil Shakir, who had 39 for 611 yards and two touchdowns. Among the missing is Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs, who had 107 receptions for 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns, and Gabriel Davis, who had 45 receptions for 746 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023.

Buffalo is working with 13 wide receivers at training camp. The Bills’ receiver rebuild includes Keon Coleman, the first pick of the second round and Buffalo’s opening selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, and Curtis Samuel, who had 62 receptions for 613 yards and four touchdowns for the Washington Commanders last season.

The Bills also have collected a group of veteran wide receivers, including Chase Claypool, KJ Hamler, Mack Hollins, Andy Isabella and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. They combined for only 56 receptions in 2023, with Valdes-Scantling getting 21 with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Shavers said his season on the practice squad had convinced him that he isn’t out of place in the competition.

“That’s one thing: I do belong,” Shavers said, “and I just got to stay patient, stay on the grind, because as soon as you stop working at this level, that’s when you go out the door.”

Buffalo begins its three-game preseason schedule on Aug. 10 against the Chicago Bears and kicks off its regular-season slate on Sept. 8 against the Arizona Cardinals.

FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.