Updated

Khalil Mack is entering the NFL with much more fanfare than he began his college career.

The former two-star recruit who got his only scholarship offer from Buffalo coming out of high school, worked his way into a first-round pick this spring and is being compared to some of the best pass-rushing linebackers in the league before he even puts his pads on for the first time.

Oakland Raiders coach Dennis Allen likened Mack to Denver star Von Miller, who had 11 1/2 sacks as a rookie when Allen was defensive coordinator for the Broncos in 2011.

Mack welcomes the high expectations and said his goal is to win the defensive rookie of the year award. But he knows he has a long way to go to reach that level.

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