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2022 Shrine Bowl Defense Preview

Shrine Bowl

The 2022 Shrine Bowl moves this year to Las Vegas and will take place on Thursday night, February 3rd. The game will be broadcast on NFL Network.

The Shrine Bowl is traditionally the #2 All-Star in the pecking order and that is the case this year. You will occasionally see a player or two from this game get selected on day two. However, the majority of the prospects drafted from this game will be selected on day three of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Today, we will look at the defensive players on the 2022 Shrine Bowl roster. Shane P Hallam looks at the players on the offensive side of the ball.

2022 SHRINE BOWL DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINE

Tayland Humphrey, Louisiana

Ryder Anderson, Indiana

Ali Fayad, Western Michigan

Matthew Butler, Tennessee

DJ Davidson, Arizona State

Matt Henningsen, Wisconsin

David Anenih, Houston

Thomas Booker, Stanford

Nolan Cockrill, Army

Marquan McCall, Kentucky

Deionte Knight, Western

Noah Elliss, Idaho

Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, Notre Dame

LaBryan Ray, Alabama

There are a number of future rotational interior defensive linemen in this class. However, one has starter upside, David Anenih. The Houston Cougars have begun to become a DL factory in recent years with Ed Oliver, Payton Turner, Logan Hall, and Anenih this season. He is a strong interior attacker who can play on the edge as well. 

If you are looking for a big, run-stuffing nose tackle in this class, Kentucky’s Maquan McCall is your man. LaBryan Ray of Alabama has struggled to stay healthy for the better part of his career. When he is on the field, he can make game-changing plays.

EDGE RUSHERS

Jeffrey Gunter, Coastal Carolina

De’Shaan Dixon, Norfolk State

Tyree Johnson, Texas A&M

Big Kat Bryant, UCF

James Houston, Jackson State

Eyioma Uwazurike, Iowa State

Mike Tafua, Utah

My favorite player in this group is Tyree Johnson of Texas A&M. The former Aggie is a good athlete with excellent length to get around the bend. Former Auburn and UCF star Big Kat Bryant transformed his body and got noticeably leaner and faster in 2021. Jackson State’s James Houston was one of the most productive pass rushers in CFB this year. he will get a chance to show off against the bigger competition in Shrine Bowl practices.

LINEBACKERS

Diego Fagot, Navy

Micah McFadden, Indiana

Zakoby McClain, Auburn

Baylon Spector, Clemson

Darien Butler, Arizona State

Jack Sanborn, Wisconsin

Nephi Sewell, Utah

My highest-graded LB in this game is Auburn’s, Zakoby McClain. McClain had the spotlight to himself for most of 2021 with Owen Pappoe on the shelf. He is an aggressive tackler despite being on the smaller side. 

When I watched Indiana in 2020, Micah McFadden jumped off the tape for me. His production tapered off a bit in 2021 but he is still a thumper. Wisconsin’s Jack Sanborn recorded 16 TFLs and five sacks in 2021. That kind of production warrants a deeper look as well. 

CORNERBACKS

Darrell Baker Jr., Georgia Southern

Decobie Durant, South Carolina State

Jack Jones, Arizona State

Kalon Barnes, Baylor

Dallis Flowers, Pittsburg State

Montaric Brown, Arkansas

Nick Grant, Virginia

Demarcus Fields, Texas Tech

Chase Lucas, Arizona State

Brandon Sebastien, Boston College

Jermaine Waller, Virginia Tech

Bryce Watts, UMass

Ja’Sir Taylor, Wake Forest

Shaun Jolly, Appalachian State

Damarion Williams, Houston

Kyler McMichael, North Carolina

Houston’s Damarion Williams is one of my highest-ranked prospects in this game. The former Cougar has great man cover ability and nice ball skills. he has NFL starter upside down the road. I also like a pair of former Sun Devils. Chase Lucas has been holding it down for a while in Tempe. Jack Jones has dealt with off-field issues and injuries. However, the talent is there. 

SAFETIES

Reed Blankenship, Middle Tennessee

Markquese Bell, Florida A&M

Percy Butler, Louisiana

Bubba Bolden, Miami (FL)

Nolan Turner, Clemson

Elijah Hicks, Cal

Quentin Lake, UCLA

It is hard to ignore the tape, production, and bloodlines of UCLA’s Quentin Lake. The son of NFL legend Carnell, Lake had 6 PBUs, three interceptions both leading UCLA), and 39 solo tackles in 2021. He is currently my #10 safety prospect in this class.

Bubba Bolden came into 2021 with a lot of sizzle unfortunately he didn’t produce a whole lot of steak. Injuries and his fundamentals failed him. He needs to exorcise some demons to get back to a draftable level.

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