Written by Alexander LeMere – A.KA. MereKat
These Top 10 Buffalo Athletes rankings are my own creation. I’m not even sure how I fully weighed everything into this. Basically, it’s a mix of skill, accolades, dedication to the city, charitable efforts to the region, fan connection, longevity, impact on the culture, and so on and so on.
Additionally, I have scaled everything in a sense we weigh them all somewhat equally for these rankings. Like yeah, is Red Murdock a better football player right now than Matt Milano? Obviously not, but when you scale his achievements and impact on his team at his level, I think they currently outweight Milano’s when looked at through the same lens.
Basically, if they make Buffalo better — on or off the field — they were in the conversation.
Also, I am extremely biased.
THE TOP 10
1. Josh Allen (QB, Buffalo Bills)
Josh Allen’s 2024 MVP season didn’t just raise eyebrows — it raised Buffalo’s entire spirit. On the field, he’s a straight-up superhero with a cannon for an arm and legs that won’t quit. He’s arguably the best player in football today and is already being talked about as the greatest Buffalo Bill of all time — and he’s only 29. Off the field? Somehow, he’s even better. From changing lives at Oishei Children’s Hospital and founding the Patricia Allen Fund, to tossing footballs with kids at training camp, signing autographs nonstop, and gifting Ryder Cup tickets to Special Olympians — Josh is the guy who makes you proudly say, “That’s our quarterback.”
It’s almost impossible not to believe he’s the one who will finally bring a Super Bowl to Western New York. But here’s the thing: Josh Allen has gone beyond just being a football player. He is Buffalo. From classrooms to senior centers, his impact is everywhere. And honestly, it’s hard to put into words just how much he means to us — both as a player and as a person.
2. Tage Thompson (F, Buffalo Sabres)
Tage Thompson may look like he came out of a magazine ad, but on the ice, he’s all grit and goals. As the Sabres’ offensive engine, his size, talent, and killer instinct have made him one of the league’s top scorers, averaging nearly 40 goals a season over the last four years. He showed out on the world stage at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, scoring six goals—including the overtime game-winner against Switzerland—to help Team USA capture their first gold since 1933. Off the ice, he’s just as impactful, donating tickets to veterans through his “Tickets for Troops” program and helping raise over $1.4 million through the Give 716 campaign.
After the whole Ryan O’Reilly heartbreak, Sabres fans needed someone to believe in—and Tage delivered in the best possible way and has kept that spark of hope in this franchise alive more than any other current Sabre. In a city that loves its athletes tough, loyal, and big-hearted, he fits Buffalo like a glove and gives fans real hope that playoff hockey is coming back to town. I standby this ranking, but I know it will get hate.
3. Dion Dawkins (OT, Buffalo Bills)
YOU ALREADY SHNOW BABY. Dion Dawkins was recently named one of the NFL’s Top 100 players at #42—a massive jump from his 2024 spot—and it’s about time the league caught up to what Buffalo’s known for years: this dude is a beast. Since being drafted in 2017 (yeah, it’s been that long), he’s anchored the O-line with power and personality. Off the field, he’s just as impactful, leading his Dion’s Dreamers foundation to mentor kids facing tough times and throwing unforgettable Talent Shnow fundraisers that mix good vibes with great causes.
Dion’s that rare mix of bouncer-at-the-door toughness and DJ-at-the-party charisma. Honestly, there’s no better guy to be skrrrrrrting with Rasmus Dahlin in the morning and locking down Josh Allen’s blindside by afternoon.
4. Dhane Smith (F, Buffalo Bandits)
In 2012, Dhane Smith bet on himself—turning down college scholarships to enter the NLL Draft—and Buffalo made it count, snagging him 5th overall. Since then, he’s built a legacy that’s hard to top: 2x MVP, 3x NLL Cup champ (2023, 2024, 2025), 2023 Finals MVP, and the holder of league records for goals (72), assists (102), and points (137) in a season. He’s a four-time First Team All-League selection and is regularly ranked among the very best—if not the best—in the game.
But Dhane’s greatness goes beyond the turf. He personally donated and helped raise over $15,000 for families affected by the East Side tragedy and co-leads “More Than Just February,” a charitable gear initiative supporting the G.I.R.L.S. Sports Foundation. From championship banners to community healing, the impact Dhane Smith has had on Buffalo is nothing short of legendary. Honestly, I could argue Dhane being #2 nehind Allen when you sclae it down.
5. Rasmus Dahlin (D, Buffalo Sabres)
Watching our sweet Swedish boy — Rasmus Erik Dahlin — go from a zit-faced kid who looked like a deer in headlights at the 2018 NHL Draft to one of the best offensive defensemen in the game has been nothing short of incredible. He’s become Buffalo’s cornerstone on the blue line, but his impact reaches far beyond the rink. Through the Rasmus Dahlin Foundation, he’s teamed up with groups like Roswell Park and GiGi’s Playhouse to uplift children across Western New York, even helping raise over $31,000 through a Text-to-Donate campaign.
Despite years of losses and letdowns, Rasmus doubled down on this city by signing an 8-year extension to be a Sabre for life—and honestly, no one on this roster deserves playoff glory more than him. I know people may say this is too low, but does he deserve to be ahed of Dhane? No. Could yo swap him and Tage? Probably, but Tage’s preformance in front of so many global eyes at the IIHF World Championship has catapulted him ahead currently.
6. Josh Byrne (F, Buffalo Bandits)
Some folks might say this ranking is too high, and to them I say — in my best Tim Robinson voice — “You sure about that?” Josh Byrne was the #1 overall pick in the 2017 NLL Draft, and he’s lived up to every bit of the hype. Since joining the Bandits, he’s helped lead the team to three straight NLL Cup titles (2023, 2024, 2025) after deep playoff runs in 2019 and 2022. But he’s not just a scoring machine — Byrne fully embodies what it means to be part of this community. His 2024 season was one for the ages, earning both league MVP and Finals MVP honors, which led to a well-deserved 5-year extension.
He’s not just playing in Buffalo — he’s playing for Buffalo and deserves more recognition.
7. Alex Tuch (F, Buffalo Sabres)
Happily labeled “a fan favorite,” Alex Tuch embraced Buffalo with open arms from day one. The Syracuse native has taken his game to another level since returning to his home state from Vegas, piling up over 200 points in the last three seasons and becoming a key piece of the Sabres’ future. Off the ice, his AT9 Foundation has helped over 60 families and connected community organizations with Sabres players through game-day meet-and-greets.
Every goal, every hit, every moment—you feel his love for this city. And honestly, when Tuch buries one or flattens a guy on the boards, yelling “TUCH YEAH!” just feels right—and somehow, not even a little bit corny. He deserves a spot on this list, although I think #6 through #9 on this list are all almost interchangeable.
8. Christian Benford (CB, Buffalo Bills)
CB deserves this spot and all the recogntion we can give him until this man is a household name, because it’s a shame he’s one of the BEST defenders in the entire NFL but the avergae fan outside of Western New York goes “who?” when you bring him up. He may be the most underrated player in all of Football. Benford’s locker is stocked with grit—from a sixth-round selection to earning every single penny of a four-year, $76 million extension that makes him a Bill through 2029. “Life-changing,” is what Benford called it, but added that it will not shift his Super Bowl-focused mentality.
With a humble mindset and a dogged work ethic, he’s as Buffalo as it gets ladies and genetleman and may find himself even higher on this list in another iteration down the line.
9. James Cook (RB, Buffalo Bills)
Jimmy Cook’s rise here in Buffalo from exciting prospect to one of theNFL’s elite has been nothing short of explosive. Coming off a breakout season where he found paydirt eighteen (18!!!) times and earned his second straight Pro Bowl selection, which solidified him as a top-tier playmaker in the NFL. Although I soured on him a bit with how he handled his contract negotations (switched him and Benford lol) – can you relly blame the man? I believe he earned his new four-year, $48 million contract extension and that it proves he wants to be a Bill for the forseeable future while speaking volumes about the team’s faith in him.
James Cook is more than just a weapon — he’s othe most dependable offensive threats in Joe Brady’s arsenal – not named Josh Allen. The future is bright, and Bills fans know he’s just getting started…LET JAMES COOK.
10. Red Murdock (LB, Buffalo Bulls)
Red Murdock represents the tenacity these Pete Lembo led Bulls embody. Murdock is a key leader for the Bulls, filling in the shoes Shaun Dolac has left behind. Red Murdock had a monster of a 2024 season and made sure all of America noticed. He received All-MAC First Team recognition after finishing second nationally with 156 total tackles. He also had 16.5 tackles for loss to go with two sacks and an interception, and he set a school record with seven forced fumbles — the most in the country.
On top of dominating on the field, Murdock crushed it in the classroom too, picking up Academic All-MAC and Academic All-District honors. Heading into 2025, he’s on the radar for just about every major defensive award — including the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, and a spot on Athlon’s preseason All-American team. Not only is he one of Buffalo’s top defenders — he might be one of the best in all of college football.
Honorable Mentions
While what you see on our Top 10 Buffalo Athletes list is what is best currently happening today, there are many other people who need to be praised for what they’ve contributed to Buffalo sports:
- Ian McKay (Buffalo Bandits) – Versatile defenseman who has been key to the Bandits’ dominance at lacrosse, including being named the 2025 NLL Finals MVP.
- Reid Ferguson (Buffalo Bills) – MR. NICE! The longest-tenured Bill and one of the most consistent long snappers in the NFL, it would be wrong not to mention him in this discussion.
- Kobe Stewart (Buffalo Bulls) – It was a tough choice between Kobe & Red in the 10 spot. Kobe returned to UB despite being highl coveted in the transfer portal. You’ll hear his name called in the 2026 NFL Draft.
- Matt Vinc (Buffalo Bandits) – All-time great goaltender, considered one of the best ever in NLL history with a NLL record eight Goaltender of the Year awards – 2 of which in Buffalo.
- Owen Power (Buffalo Sabres) – First overall draft choice in the 2021 NHL Draft and anchor defenseman of the Sabres’ future – if he puts on 20 pounds he may crack the Top 10.
- Khalil Shakir (Buffalo Bills) – A young cornerstone of the Bills offense coming off an incredible season that earned him a 4 year contract extension earlier this year. Embedded in buffalo culture from pet adoption events to being the face of the BEST (not biased) local pizzeria.
- Matt Milano (Buffalo Bills) – Handsome, Italian All-Pro linebacker and leader of the Bills’ defense…when he’s healthy.
Note: While tennis phenom Jessica Pegula is an elite athlete with solid Buffalo heritage, she isn’t eligible for this list of active team-sport Buffalo players. She doesn’t compete here. Don’t worry, though — find Pegula and other Buffalo-based players on my soon-to-be-published Top 10 Western New York-Born Athletes list coming soon.
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