The East-West Shrine Bowl continues expanding and will feature NFL coaching staffs for the first time. Being in Las Vegas, the game has attracted some solid NFL Draft talent to come and play. Despite this, the Shrine Bowl still is a step down from the Senior Bowl in terms of full roster, the Shrine does have plenty potential Top 100 picks and maybe even a first round pick on the roster. The Falcons and Patriots coaching staffs should be able to get a close look at the Shrine Bowl and enhance their scouting ability. Let’s dive in and break down each position and predictions on who will stand out in the practices and Shrine Bowl Game.
Quarterback
East
Tim DeMorat, Fordham
Tanner Morgan, Minnesota
Aidan O’Connell, Purdue
West
Chase Brice, Appalachian State
Tommy DeVito, Illinois
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA
It’s an uninspiring group of QBs for the Shrine, as it is for all all-star games this year. With so many “super seniors” going back for a 5th or 6th year of eligibility, the pool was not huge to choose from.
The best of the group is likely the Bruins’ Dorian Thompson-Robinson who has a long and illustrious career under Chip Kelly. His athleticism and physical arm talents should impressed compared to the group. He has a good chance to be drafted on Day 3 and stick in a mobile based offensive system.
A few others are intriguing and could help their stock. Tim DeMorat has been making the all-star circuit and has a good arm with NFL size. His production at Fordham was great, and there is developmental potential there. He could move himself into draftable range with a big week. Similarly, Chase Brice flashed some NFL moments this year for App State. His big game against North Carolina made him a name to watch, and the Shrine could be an opportunity to get back into that consciousness.
Aidan O’Connell struggled with injuries this year, but he was on pace to be a draftable QB before that. Despite the lack of athleticism, his big downfield arm and work within a great system means he could be a stand out.
Running Back
East
Jordan Mims, Fresno State
Deneric Prince, Tulsa
Tavion Thomas, Utah
Derek Parish, Houston
West
Xazavian Valladay, Arizona State
Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota
Travis Dye, Southern Cal
Kazmeir Allen, UCLA
With how deep the RB class is in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Shrine Bowl has a pretty solid RB roster. Big production runners like Mohamed Ibrahim and Travis Dye lead the charge here. Ibrahim isn’t the fastest RB, but he should excel as a power runner in the NFL. If he can showcase some athleticism, early Day 3 is a real possibility for his draft capital. Dye had a big year in Lincoln Riley’s offense and has some good burst. He deserves more buzz than he is receiving.
Thomas, Mims, and Valladay all have good production in college, but may not be more than practice squad types who can fill in in a pinch. The most interesting might be EDGE rusher Derek Parish and his multifaceted skillset. Playing Fullback in the Shrine Bowl is super intriguing and should be fun.
Wide Receiver
East
AT Perry, Wake Forest
Antoine Green, North Carolina
Shaquan Davis, South Carolina State
Jadon Haselwood, Arkansas
Jalen Cropper, Fresno State
Nikko Remigio, Fresno State
Kearis Jackson, Georgia
Jacob Copeland, Maryland
West
Bryce Ford-Wheaton, West Virginia
Dallas Daniels, Jackson State
Demario Douglas, Liberty
Jadakis Bonds, Hampton
Jake Bobo, UCLA
Justin Shorter, Florida
Michael Jefferson, Louisiana
Zay Flowers, Boston College
The highlight of this group is Zay Flowers who is a Top 50 pick with potential to go in the first round. His speed and quickness is elite, shown by his production on a hurting Boston College offense this year. There is little doubt he will dominate the Shrine practices and continue his buzz.
Plenty of other intriguing athletic receivers are on the roster including speed demon Kearis Jackson and former 5* recruits Jadon Haselwood and Justin Shorter. All three developed some this year, but still have a ways to go. The Shrine practices could be a great place to show that development.
AT Perry is another favorite who has Day 2 potential. With his hulking size and great hands, he might be the best contested catcher in the entire draft. If he shows route running and separation, this should help as well.
The Fresno State duo (Cropper and Remigio), Jake Bobo, Michael Jefferson, and Bryce Ford-Wheaton also are on my list to wanting a closer look in evaluation.
Don’t discount the small school WRs either. Demario Douglas’ buzz is growing and he may make noise this week. Shaquan Davis, Jadakis Bonds, and Dallas Daniels should all make an NFL camp as well. It’s a great WR group!
Tight End
East
Daniel Barker, Michigan State
Leonard Taylor, Cincinnati
Blake Whiteheart, Wake Forest
Joel Wilson, Central Michigan
West
Princeton Fant, Tennessee
Thomas Greaney, Albany
Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan
Travis Vokolek, Nebraska
Jack Colletto, Oregon State
The TE crop has something for everyone. From bigger blockers with soft hands like Luke Schoonmaker and Travis Vokolek to smaller athletic types like Princeton Fant and Leonard Taylor, this will be a diverse group.
Thomas Greaney is one of my favorites as a big TE who is a strong blocker but is quick off the line, he can be developed into a real weapon. Schoonmaker might end up the highest drafted of the group due to his two-way tendencies as well.
Ultimately, the entire group are late round picks at best, but may show a few flashes this week.
Offensive Line
East
Carter Warren, Pittsburgh
Earl Bostick Jr., Kansas
John Ojukwu, Boise State
Jordan McFadden, Clemson
Luke Haggard, Indiana
Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, Oregon
Quinton Barrow, Grand Valley State
Spencer Anderson, Maryland
Trevor Reid, Louisville
Alex Palczewski, Illinois
Chandler Zabala, NC State
Jerome Carvin, Tennessee
Juice Scruggs, Penn State
West
Brent Laing, MN-Duluth
Colby Sorsdal, William & Mary
Connor Galvin, Baylor
Dalton Wagner, Arkansas
Jacky Chen, Pace
Jaxson Kirkland, Washington
Kaddem Telfort, UAB
Mason Brooks, Mississippi
Theor Benedet, British Columbia
Atonio Mafi, UCLA
Henry Bainivalu, Washington
Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas
Mark Evans, AR-Pine Bluff
This is a solid group as a whole. Carter Warren is one of my favorites with an illustrious career against top ACC pass rushers. He should shine. Strong interior linemen like Henry Bainivalu, Ricky Stromberg, and Jerome Carvin all have the ability to help themselves and push into early Day 3 with a big performance.
There are a few OTs who underperformed this year but have NFL talent. Connor Galvin and Jaxson Kirkland may not have extreme upside but can be swing back-ups in the NFL and help a team add depth.
The small school linemen in this group are also excellent. Quinton Barrow is massive at over 330 pounds with athletic feet that makes him a huge upside pick. If he shows he can hang with the pass rushers at the Shrine, the sky is the limit. Mark Evans is on the lighter athletic side, but he plays tough and can knock you out.
Honorable mention to a few others I like including Trevor Reid, Jordan McFadden, and Juice Scruggs.
Defensive Line
East
Brodric Martin, Western Kentucky
Dante Stills, West Virginia
Keondre Coburn, Texas
Kobie Turner, Wake Forest
Moro Ojomo, Texas
Vilami Fehoko, San Jose State
Ikenna Enechukwu, Rice
Ochaun Mathis, Nebraska
West
Desjuan Johnson, Toledo
Devonnsha Maxwell, Chattanooga
Jerron Cage, Ohio State
PJ Mustipher, Penn State
Taron Vincent, Ohio State
The Texas duo intrigue me the most with Moro Ojomo and Keondre Coburn both having great seasons. Ojomo may be more in demand as a small 3-tech pass rusher who can get after the QB, but Coburn eats up space and can help in the run game.
Dante Stills was a big NFL name early in his career, and he still shows the ability to get after the QB. That should be in demand as a Day 3 pick with upside to perform. Kobie Turner also has a similar skillset that he showed off late in the season and in the Gasparilla Bowl this year.
Devonnsha Maxwell will have my eye to see how he performs against the good OL during the week. He is explosive for his size, but may struggle with leverage.
EDGE
East
BJ Thompson, Stephen F. Austin
Caleb Murphy, Ferris State
Jose Ramirez, Eastern Michigan
Robert Beal Jr., Georgia
West
Andre Johnson, Louisiana
Brenton Cox Jr., Florida
Habakkuk Baldonado, Pittsburgh
Titus Leo, Wagner
Truman Jones, Harvard
This group ranges from big upside to solid career production. Brenton Cox and Habakkuk Baldonado are the best of the group from a longevity standpoint. Both have good careers and have flashed pass rush explosion off the edge with good moves.
The upside of Jose Ramirez and Robert Beal is super intriguing though. Ramirez was a monster in the MAC and will get a chance to prove himself here. Beal got some real play after the Nolan Smith injury and showed up for the Dawgs. He might be underrated and flash during the week.
Some of the smaller school players are interesting as well. Andre Johnson has very little bad film. BJ Thompson and Caleb Murphy show some athletic upside with a good few years. The pit drills should be very fun.
Linebacker
East
Jeremy Banks, Tennessee
Kyle Soelle, Arizona State
Ben VanSumeren, Michigan State
Anfernee Orji, Vanderbilt
Amari Burney, Florida
West
Jaiden Woodbey, Florida State
Drake Thomas, NC State
Isaiah Moore, NC State
Mohamoud Diabate, Utah
Charlie Thomas, Georgia Tech
Jalen Graham, Purdue
Tyrus Wheat, Mississippi State
This is a strong group with Anfernee Orji leading the way with his combination of pass rush and weak side coverage ability, he is unique. There are plenty of good thumpers as well like Drake Thomas and Mohamoud Diabate who had very productive careers.
Charlie Thomas and Jeremy Banks are two of my personal favorites. Banks was a big part of Tennessee’s pass rush success and though raw, he has NFL upside. Thomas has great lateral mobility and he reads the run game so well. A definite NFL talent.
Jaiden Woodbey may be the wild card. More of an in the box safety type, he gives some upside after a great college career.
Cornerback
East
Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU
D’Shawn Jamison, Texas
Lance Boykin, Coastal Carolina
Kei’Trel Clark, Louisville
Mekhi Garner, LSU
Nehemiah Shelton, San Jose State
Kahlef Hailassie, Western Kentucky
West
Starling Thomas V, UAB
Nic Jones, Ball State
Eric Scott Jr., Southern Miss
Cam Brown, Ohio State
Jaylin Williams, Indiana
Myles Brooks, Louisiana Tech
Terell Smith, Minnesota
Corner is deep this year in the draft, and this group shows that. Tre’Vius Hodges Tomlinson headlines the group after a solid playoff game against Michigan. The slot corner is a playmaker and may make the highlight reel in Vegas. The LSU duo impressed me this year. Mekhi Garner and Jarrick Bernard-Converse flashed tight coverage skills with athletic upside. Add Cam Brown to that list too.
The G5 corners in Nic Jones and Myles Brooks will be some nice Day 3 upside shots to take. Both have fluid hips and aren’t afraid to tackle. Names to note for sure. I also think Starling Thomas is a sleeper at the position with his press ability at the line.
Overall, another deep CB class and plenty should be drafted.
Safety
East
Gervarrius Owens, Houston
Bennett Williams, Oregon
AJ Finley, Mississippi
Tyreque Jones, Boise State
Art Green, Houston
West
Trey Dean III, Florida
Jordan Howden, Minnesota
Christian Izien, Rutgers
Trey Dean leads this safety group as a playmaker who can roam center field and close on receivers. Though he isn’t the type of physical safety many teams want, there could be a role for him at the next level.
Gervarrius Owens is most likely to be drafted highest however due to his size and athleticism combination. He is a missile in playing to the line and stopping the run, but big enough to not get bullied by TEs. Offenses went away from him in Houston, so the Shrine could be an area to shine.
AJ Finley and Christian Izien also may be drafted with some special teams ability. Both have good bulk coming in over 200 pounds and aren’t afraid to get their noses dirty and play physical. That may shine through at the Shrine.
Special Teams
East
Andre Szmyt, K, Syracuse
Ethan Evans, P, Wingate
Matt Hembrough, LS, Oklahoma State
West
Jake Moody, K, Michigan
Michael Turk, P, Oklahoma
Chris Stoll, LS, Penn State
Moody is my top kicker in the draft with a solid leg and good accuracy, especially in the big moments. Szmyt has had his successes too, but may be more of a camp body. Evans and Turk both have good careers and can boom punts at times, but may lack the consistency to be drafted.
It should be an interesting Shrine Bowl this year!
Follow Shane on twitter @ShanePHallam