The East-West Shrine Bowl 2025

[GunnerBill]

We are fast approaching one of my favourite events in the pre-draft calendar, the East-West Shrine Bowl. I still long for the days when it was the Shrine Game not the Shrine Bowl and when it was played on the Saturday of Conference Championship weekend, not the Thursday of that week, but because the NFL pushed the Superbowl out a week with an 18 game season the Senior Bowl decided staying in the pre-Superbowl bye slot would be too late and therefore the Shrine game sacrificed its slot. 

 

That's a shame and I think it has affected the game a little bit the past couple of years, especially because you used to get smaller school kids turning up, balling out all week and then getting replacement calls to go down to Mobile for Senior Bowl practices starting the following Monday. 

 

Anyway, this year's game is Thursday 30 January and it is going to get the most attention it has in a long time because Shedeur Sanders (and his brother Shilo) have both accepted invitations. I'm not sure if a Shrine Bowler has ever been drafted 1st overall in an NFL Draft, if they have it was a long time ago. Gayle Sayers being drafted 4th overall back in 1965 is the best I can come up with. Sanders may not end up 1st overall but if 4th is indeed the highest a Shrine Bowlers has ever been selected there is a fair chance Sanders beats that. 

 

The rest of accepted invites have some interesting names among them too. Picked out a few to keep an eye on below:

 

Zy Alexander - Corner - LSU

Tall, thin, rangey cornerback. Classic LSU corner who excels in zone coverage probably looking like a late day 2 / early day 3 pick

 

Fadil Diggs - Edge Rusher - Syracuse

Powerful, athletic edge rusher. Technically unrefined but physically talented. Plays a big smaller than his size probably day 3 but developmental traits.

 

Jamon Dumas-Johnson - Linebacker - Kentucky

Versatile off the ball linebacker who transferred from Georgia to Kentucky this year. Former 4-star recruit, if he tests well and has a good process could end up as an early day 3 pick.

 

Tre Harris - Wide Receiver - Ole Miss

Big bodied receiver who put up a 1,000 yard season and is a big play threat. Needs some route running polish but if he tests well will go off the board on day 2.

 

Jordan Phillips - Defensive Tackle - Maryland

No, not that Jordan Phillips. This one is sleeper day 3 guy who still needs a lot of technical refinement but has a really explosive first step that will impress teams. 

 

Jay Higgins - Linebacker - Iowa

One of my early draft crushes for 2025. Archetypal, modern, instinctive, coverage linebacker. Watch him rise in this process. I think he could sneak into day 2.

 

Kenneth Grant - Defensive Tackle - Michigan

Big, powerful, 1 tech who is going to dominate against the run but has some burst to penetrate too. After Shedeur Sanders the second most likely day 1 guy on the roster.

 

Kyle McCord - Quarterback - Syracuse

Let the nation in passing yards in 2024 having transferred from Ohio State. Likely does get picked on day 3 as a developmental guy. 

 

Shavon Revel - Corner - ECU (won't play)

Really talented, long corner, out of East Carolina. I think his tape is borderline first round worthy, but tore his ACL in September might end up in day 2.

 

 

I'll update this thread with the guys that caught my eye after the game in a couple of weeks time. 

[BuffaloBillyG]

52 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

We are fast approaching one of my favourite events in the pre-draft calendar, the East-West Shrine Bowl. I still long for the days when it was the Shrine Game not the Shrine Bowl and when it was played on the Saturday of Conference Championship weekend, not the Thursday of that week, but because the NFL pushed the Superbowl out a week with an 18 game season the Senior Bowl decided staying in the pre-Superbowl bye slot would be too late and therefore the Shrine game sacrificed its slot. 

 

That's a shame and I think it has affected the game a little bit the past couple of years, especially because you used to get smaller school kids turning up, balling out all week and then getting replacement calls to go down to Mobile for Senior Bowl practices starting the following Monday. 

 

Anyway, this year's game is Thursday 30 January and it is going to get the most attention it has in a long time because Shedeur Sanders (and his brother Shilo) have both accepted invitations. I'm not sure if a Shrine Bowler has ever been drafted 1st overall in an NFL Draft, if they have it was a long time ago. Gayle Sayers being drafted 4th overall back in 1965 is the best I can come up with. Sanders may not end up 1st overall but if 4th is indeed the highest a Shrine Bowlers has ever been selected there is a fair chance Sanders beats that. 

 

The rest of accepted invites have some interesting names among them too. Picked out a few to keep an eye on below:

 

Zy Alexander - Corner - LSU

Tall, thin, rangey cornerback. Classic LSU corner who excels in zone coverage probably looking like a late day 2 / early day 3 pick

 

Fadil Diggs - Edge Rusher - Syracuse

Powerful, athletic edge rusher. Technically unrefined but physically talented. Plays a big smaller than his size probably day 3 but developmental traits.

 

Jamon Dumas-Johnson - Linebacker - Kentucky

Versatile off the ball linebacker who transferred from Georgia to Kentucky this year. Former 4-star recruit, if he tests well and has a good process could end up as an early day 3 pick.

 

Tre Harris - Wide Receiver - Ole Miss

Big bodied receiver who put up a 1,000 yard season and is a big play threat. Needs some route running polish but if he tests well will go off the board on day 2.

 

Jordan Phillips - Defensive Tackle - Maryland

No, not that Jordan Phillips. This one is sleeper day 3 guy who still needs a lot of technical refinement but has a really explosive first step that will impress teams. 

 

Jay Higgins - Linebacker - Iowa

One of my early draft crushes for 2025. Archetypal, modern, instinctive, coverage linebacker. Watch him rise in this process. I think he could sneak into day 2.

 

Kenneth Grant - Defensive Tackle - Michigan

Big, powerful, 1 tech who is going to dominate against the run but has some burst to penetrate too. After Shedeur Sanders the second most likely day 1 guy on the roster.

 

Kyle McCord - Quarterback - Syracuse

Let the nation in passing yards in 2024 having transferred from Ohio State. Likely does get picked on day 3 as a developmental guy. 

 

Shavon Revel - Corner - ECU (won't play)

Really talented, long corner, out of East Carolina. I think his tape is borderline first round worthy, but tore his ACL in September might end up in day 2.

 

 

I'll update this thread with the guys that caught my eye after the game in a couple of weeks time. 

I usually get a "big man crush" on some lineman coming out. Last year it was T'Vondre Sweat. O'Cyrus Torrence was the year before.

 

This you Grant looks to be that guy. He would help out run defense next year a ton...and has some pass rush juice.  Kills me because he'll probably be long gone before our pick.

Edited Friday at 08:20 PM by BuffaloBillyG

[OldTimer1960]

Great post Gunner and thank you.  Looking forward to this and the Senior Bowl and all the draft talk.

 

i won’t be surprised if the Bills top 3 picks are all D.  

[gonzo1105]

Saw that Tre Harris accepted his invite but he isn't on the official roster unless I'm just completely missing it. I also think its smart for Sanders to play in this game because he has 3 of his WR's in this game who he already has a rapport with so naturally he should look better than throwing to a bunch of guys he never has.

[GunnerBill]

12 hours ago, gonzo1105 said:

Saw that Tre Harris accepted his invite but he isn't on the official roster unless I'm just completely missing it. I also think its smart for Sanders to play in this game because he has 3 of his WR's in this game who he already has a rapport with so naturally he should look better than throwing to a bunch of guys he never has.

 

Huh. He was when I pulled this list together on Thursday. You are right though his name is no longer there. Shame. 

[Solomon Grundy]

On 1/17/2025 at 2:27 PM, GunnerBill said:

We are fast approaching one of my favourite events in the pre-draft calendar, the East-West Shrine Bowl. I still long for the days when it was the Shrine Game not the Shrine Bowl and when it was played on the Saturday of Conference Championship weekend, not the Thursday of that week, but because the NFL pushed the Superbowl out a week with an 18 game season the Senior Bowl decided staying in the pre-Superbowl bye slot would be too late and therefore the Shrine game sacrificed its slot. 

 

That's a shame and I think it has affected the game a little bit the past couple of years, especially because you used to get smaller school kids turning up, balling out all week and then getting replacement calls to go down to Mobile for Senior Bowl practices starting the following Monday. 

 

Anyway, this year's game is Thursday 30 January and it is going to get the most attention it has in a long time because Shedeur Sanders (and his brother Shilo) have both accepted invitations. I'm not sure if a Shrine Bowler has ever been drafted 1st overall in an NFL Draft, if they have it was a long time ago. Gayle Sayers being drafted 4th overall back in 1965 is the best I can come up with. Sanders may not end up 1st overall but if 4th is indeed the highest a Shrine Bowlers has ever been selected there is a fair chance Sanders beats that. 

 

The rest of accepted invites have some interesting names among them too. Picked out a few to keep an eye on below:

 

Zy Alexander - Corner - LSU

Tall, thin, rangey cornerback. Classic LSU corner who excels in zone coverage probably looking like a late day 2 / early day 3 pick

 

Fadil Diggs - Edge Rusher - Syracuse

Powerful, athletic edge rusher. Technically unrefined but physically talented. Plays a big smaller than his size probably day 3 but developmental traits.

 

Jamon Dumas-Johnson - Linebacker - Kentucky

Versatile off the ball linebacker who transferred from Georgia to Kentucky this year. Former 4-star recruit, if he tests well and has a good process could end up as an early day 3 pick.

 

Tre Harris - Wide Receiver - Ole Miss

Big bodied receiver who put up a 1,000 yard season and is a big play threat. Needs some route running polish but if he tests well will go off the board on day 2.

 

Jordan Phillips - Defensive Tackle - Maryland

No, not that Jordan Phillips. This one is sleeper day 3 guy who still needs a lot of technical refinement but has a really explosive first step that will impress teams. 

 

Jay Higgins - Linebacker - Iowa

One of my early draft crushes for 2025. Archetypal, modern, instinctive, coverage linebacker. Watch him rise in this process. I think he could sneak into day 2.

 

Kenneth Grant - Defensive Tackle - Michigan

Big, powerful, 1 tech who is going to dominate against the run but has some burst to penetrate too. After Shedeur Sanders the second most likely day 1 guy on the roster.

 

Kyle McCord - Quarterback - Syracuse

Let the nation in passing yards in 2024 having transferred from Ohio State. Likely does get picked on day 3 as a developmental guy. 

 

Shavon Revel - Corner - ECU (won't play)

Really talented, long corner, out of East Carolina. I think his tape is borderline first round worthy, but tore his ACL in September might end up in day 2.

 

 

I'll update this thread with the guys that caught my eye after the game in a couple of weeks time. 

Any safeties worth keeping an eye on?

[Mark Vader]

On 1/17/2025 at 11:27 AM, GunnerBill said:

We are fast approaching one of my favourite events in the pre-draft calendar, the East-West Shrine Bowl. I still long for the days when it was the Shrine Game not the Shrine Bowl and when it was played on the Saturday of Conference Championship weekend, not the Thursday of that week, but because the NFL pushed the Superbowl out a week with an 18 game season the Senior Bowl decided staying in the pre-Superbowl bye slot would be too late and therefore the Shrine game sacrificed its slot. 

 

That's a shame and I think it has affected the game a little bit the past couple of years, especially because you used to get smaller school kids turning up, balling out all week and then getting replacement calls to go down to Mobile for Senior Bowl practices starting the following Monday. 

 

Anyway, this year's game is Thursday 30 January and it is going to get the most attention it has in a long time because Shedeur Sanders (and his brother Shilo) have both accepted invitations. I'm not sure if a Shrine Bowler has ever been drafted 1st overall in an NFL Draft, if they have it was a long time ago. Gayle Sayers being drafted 4th overall back in 1965 is the best I can come up with. Sanders may not end up 1st overall but if 4th is indeed the highest a Shrine Bowlers has ever been selected there is a fair chance Sanders beats that. 

 

The rest of accepted invites have some interesting names among them too. Picked out a few to keep an eye on below:

 

Zy Alexander - Corner - LSU

Tall, thin, rangey cornerback. Classic LSU corner who excels in zone coverage probably looking like a late day 2 / early day 3 pick

 

Fadil Diggs - Edge Rusher - Syracuse

Powerful, athletic edge rusher. Technically unrefined but physically talented. Plays a big smaller than his size probably day 3 but developmental traits.

 

Jamon Dumas-Johnson - Linebacker - Kentucky

Versatile off the ball linebacker who transferred from Georgia to Kentucky this year. Former 4-star recruit, if he tests well and has a good process could end up as an early day 3 pick.

 

Tre Harris - Wide Receiver - Ole Miss

Big bodied receiver who put up a 1,000 yard season and is a big play threat. Needs some route running polish but if he tests well will go off the board on day 2.

 

Jordan Phillips - Defensive Tackle - Maryland

No, not that Jordan Phillips. This one is sleeper day 3 guy who still needs a lot of technical refinement but has a really explosive first step that will impress teams. 

 

Jay Higgins - Linebacker - Iowa

One of my early draft crushes for 2025. Archetypal, modern, instinctive, coverage linebacker. Watch him rise in this process. I think he could sneak into day 2.

 

Kenneth Grant - Defensive Tackle - Michigan

Big, powerful, 1 tech who is going to dominate against the run but has some burst to penetrate too. After Shedeur Sanders the second most likely day 1 guy on the roster.

 

Kyle McCord - Quarterback - Syracuse

Let the nation in passing yards in 2024 having transferred from Ohio State. Likely does get picked on day 3 as a developmental guy. 

 

Shavon Revel - Corner - ECU (won't play)

Really talented, long corner, out of East Carolina. I think his tape is borderline first round worthy, but tore his ACL in September might end up in day 2.

 

 

I'll update this thread with the guys that caught my eye after the game in a couple of weeks time. 

Thanks Gunner. I still call it the East-West Shrine Game, and I've always enjoyed watching it.

Weird that it'll be on a Thursday, but since I don't have NFL Network I will be missing it anyway.

Look forward to your review.

[PromoTheRobot]

On 1/17/2025 at 2:27 PM, GunnerBill said:

We are fast approaching one of my favourite events in the pre-draft calendar, the East-West Shrine Bowl. I still long for the days when it was the Shrine Game not the Shrine Bowl and when it was played on the Saturday of Conference Championship weekend, not the Thursday of that week, but because the NFL pushed the Superbowl out a week with an 18 game season the Senior Bowl decided staying in the pre-Superbowl bye slot would be too late and therefore the Shrine game sacrificed its slot. 

 

That's a shame and I think it has affected the game a little bit the past couple of years, especially because you used to get smaller school kids turning up, balling out all week and then getting replacement calls to go down to Mobile for Senior Bowl practices starting the following Monday. 

 

Anyway, this year's game is Thursday 30 January and it is going to get the most attention it has in a long time because Shedeur Sanders (and his brother Shilo) have both accepted invitations. I'm not sure if a Shrine Bowler has ever been drafted 1st overall in an NFL Draft, if they have it was a long time ago. Gayle Sayers being drafted 4th overall back in 1965 is the best I can come up with. Sanders may not end up 1st overall but if 4th is indeed the highest a Shrine Bowlers has ever been selected there is a fair chance Sanders beats that. 

 

The rest of accepted invites have some interesting names among them too. Picked out a few to keep an eye on below:

 

Zy Alexander - Corner - LSU

Tall, thin, rangey cornerback. Classic LSU corner who excels in zone coverage probably looking like a late day 2 / early day 3 pick

 

Fadil Diggs - Edge Rusher - Syracuse

Powerful, athletic edge rusher. Technically unrefined but physically talented. Plays a big smaller than his size probably day 3 but developmental traits.

 

Jamon Dumas-Johnson - Linebacker - Kentucky

Versatile off the ball linebacker who transferred from Georgia to Kentucky this year. Former 4-star recruit, if he tests well and has a good process could end up as an early day 3 pick.

 

Tre Harris - Wide Receiver - Ole Miss

Big bodied receiver who put up a 1,000 yard season and is a big play threat. Needs some route running polish but if he tests well will go off the board on day 2.

 

Jordan Phillips - Defensive Tackle - Maryland

No, not that Jordan Phillips. This one is sleeper day 3 guy who still needs a lot of technical refinement but has a really explosive first step that will impress teams. 

 

Jay Higgins - Linebacker - Iowa

One of my early draft crushes for 2025. Archetypal, modern, instinctive, coverage linebacker. Watch him rise in this process. I think he could sneak into day 2.

 

Kenneth Grant - Defensive Tackle - Michigan

Big, powerful, 1 tech who is going to dominate against the run but has some burst to penetrate too. After Shedeur Sanders the second most likely day 1 guy on the roster.

 

Kyle McCord - Quarterback - Syracuse

Let the nation in passing yards in 2024 having transferred from Ohio State. Likely does get picked on day 3 as a developmental guy. 

 

Shavon Revel - Corner - ECU (won't play)

Really talented, long corner, out of East Carolina. I think his tape is borderline first round worthy, but tore his ACL in September might end up in day 2.

 

 

I'll update this thread with the guys that caught my eye after the game in a couple of weeks time. 

It's a massive joke the nation's leading tackler, named an all-American, was not invited to any college all-star games. Shaun Dolac will have his revenge when he's a member of the Bills.

[Buffalo716]

I'll be there for a few days before and for the game