East-West Shrine Bowl: Standouts and Impressive Performances from Prospects
ICARO Media Group
The East-West Shrine Bowl held in Frisco, Texas showcased some promising talent over the weekend, as prospects from both the East and West teams took the field for four practices. Here are some notable observations from the practices:
The East team's pass rushers left a lasting impression throughout the two days of practice. Khristian Boyd, a defensive tackle from Northern Iowa, demonstrated quickness and aggression, consistently disrupting the quarterback and run game in both team and 1-on-1 drills. On the edge, Khalid Duke from Kansas State and Mo Kamara from Colorado State displayed their speed and athleticism, skillfully maneuvering around offensive linemen.
Two players, Xavier Thomas from Clemson and Eyabi Okie-Anoma from Charlotte, perfectly exemplified their positions. Thomas showcased his versatility as a six-year player at Clemson, utilizing a combination of speed, power, and quickness to dominate on the field. Okie-Anoma, despite attending five different schools during his college career, showcased an impressive bull rush that proved difficult for opponents to handle.
The East team also boasted standout offensive linemen. Hunter Nourzad from Penn State consistently held his ground against larger defensive opponents, skillfully neutralizing power rushes. Two guards, Kaitori Leveston from Kansas State and Christian Mahogany from Boston College, stood out with their excellent technique and ability to handle bull rushes, although Mahogany had a tendency to go to the ground too often.
The wide receiver group featured some impressive players, including Isaiah Williams and Casey Washington from Illinois. Washington consistently found ways to get open, while Williams, a former quarterback, demonstrated exceptional quickness and route-running skills from the slot position. Another notable receiver was Cornelius Johnson, who despite his size at 6-foot-3 and 211 pounds, displayed the ability to separate from defenders and make big plays, including a touchdown during red-zone drills. Anthony Gould from Oregon State showcased his speed and agility in creating separation from defenders.
In the defensive backfield, cornerback Ro Torrence, standing at an imposing 6-foot-3, showcased his physicality and coverage skills by actively seeking out matchups against the opposing team's top receivers. His performance at the line of scrimmage was noteworthy.
Running backs Deshaun Fenwick from Oregon State and Tyrone Tracy from Purdue exhibited their dynamic playmaking abilities, showcasing speed and agility when given the ball.
Linebacker Easton Gibbs looked to continue Wyoming's tradition of producing talented NFL linebackers. Gibbs impressed with his coverage skills in 1-on-1 drills and showed anticipation by jumping a route for a potential pick-six during red-zone drills.
Overall, the East-West Shrine Bowl provided a platform for these prospects to display their abilities and catch the attention of scouts and coaches. Their performances throughout the practices will surely contribute to their draft stock as the NFL Draft approaches.
Source: Shrine Bowl practice observations by a reliable source.