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.