East-West Shrine Game Preview

By Paul Perdichizzi

Posted on January 20, 2017

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With the college football season now over, draft season is officially under way. The first part of the four month draft process is the college all-star games. This first important all-star game is the East-West Shrine Game, which is this upcoming Saturday. 

While this game does not get as much publicity or attention as the Senior Bowl, every year there are a few diamonds in the rough. Over the last few years, a some names we have seen rise up from the Shrine Game include John Brown, Zach Zenner, Jimmy Garoppolo, and just last year Tajae Sharpe. Many of the players in attendance use this game as a spring board to improve their draft stock prior the NFL Combine and pro days. Some players even get the call up the following week to play in the Senior Bowl. Below is a list of some of the offensive skill players that should be on your radar from this year’s Shrine Game.

Quarterbacks

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Gunner Kiel, Cincinnati – 6’3”, 218

Once upon a time, Kiel looked destined for stardom. He was the top high school quarterback recruit heading to play for the Irish of Notre Dame. After sitting behind three players on the depth chart in his first season, he transferred to Cincinnati. After a very productive 2014 season which saw him throw for 31 touchdowns and 3,254 yards, Kiel was looked upon as a possible future early round quarterback prospect. He had the prototypical size and arm talent that NFL teams look for. While consistency and decision-making were still a concern, he looked on track to be taken in the early rounds.

During his 2015 season, Kiel suffered some concussions and his stats and performance slipped to only 19 touchdowns and 2,777 yards. This past season he was demoted to third on the depth chart and played sparingly during the season. He finished with six touchdowns and only 804 yards. It will be interesting to see how he looks down at the Shrine game and if he shows any of the traits that once intrigued so many evaluators, including myself.

Zach Terrell, Western Michigan – 6’1”, 206

While there have been some intriguing quarterback prospects the last few years at this event, this year is really lacking. Besides Gunner Kiel, the only other one I am interested to see is Terrell. After playing with talented wide receivers including Corey Davis and Daniel Braverman during his time in college, Terrell has put up some gaudy stats. This past season he threw for 3,533 yards, 33 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He led his team to a New Year’s Six bowl game vs Wisconsin.

While he is undersized and lacks the physical tools and arm talent that NFL teams often look for, he has good touch, is accurate in the intermediate range, can move well in the pocket and can get through his progressions quickly. He has a chance to be a late round draft pick or an undrafted free agent that sticks on a roster as a third quarterback, with the potential down the line to be compete for a backup job.

Running Backs

Elijah McGuire, Louisiana Lafayette – 5’9”, 212

McGuire is one of the more intriguing players heading to the Shrine Game. He has had a very productive collegiate career, topped off by rushing for 1,127 yards and seven touchdowns, with an additional 29 receptions for 272 yards this past season. McGuire possesses many traits that NFL teams look for; he is athletic, can make people miss in the open field, has excellent lateral agility, and can be a dangerous weapon in the receiving game because he has natural hands.

He can run routes, and even be put into the slot from time to time. He reminds me in some ways of Theo Riddick, but do believe he can be a better runner. McGuire is undersized and does not have the power to run often between the tackles at the next level, but think he can become a part of a committee and become a productive NFL player. I think he will be taken somewhere in rounds four through six.

De’Veon Smith, Michigan – 5’10”, 224

Smith is the opposite of McGuire, as he has the makeup to be a big, physical, between the tackles runner at the NFL. Smith has been one of the main cogs in the running game at Michigan over the last two seasons. This past season he rushed for 846 yards and ten touchdowns. In addition to his size, Smith possesses good vision and balance and seems to consistently pick up yards after contact. While he lacks top speed and offers little in the receiving game, I believe Smith has a future on Sundays. I think he will be a late round pick, and can be a solid backup running back, with the ability to excel in short yardage and goal line situations.

Joe Williams, Utah – 5’10”, 202

Williams, and the previously mentioned McGuire, are my two favorite prospects who will be in attendance for the Shrine Game. After retiring and then changing his mind and returning, Williams was one of the most productive and explosive backs in all of college football this year. He rushed for 1,407 yards and ten touchdowns. There are few backs in this class that can turn any run into a touchdown, but Williams is one of those rare backs.

He has elite burst, with some thinking he is going to run between a 4.3 and 4.4 in the 40 yard dash at the NFL combine. That rare speed at his compact size, combined with the quickness to make people miss is what really intrigues me. His vision, power and lack of receiving ability will be concerns he has to answer, but for him the question most teams will want to find out in the next few months, is his desire, competitiveness and passion for the sport. Of all the offensive prospects in attendance, I think Williams has the best chance to be called up to the Senior Bowl the following week and be the first player taken in the NFL draft from this game.

Wide Receivers

Stacy Coley, Miami – 6’1”, 195

The wide receivers of note that will be in attendance profile mostly as slot type receivers at the next level. Coley is the first that interests me and seems to have risen a bit in public perception during this season. He finished the year with 63 receptions for 754 yards and nine touchdowns. He possesses good speed and hands but his size will limit how productive he can be, if asked to play on the outside. His best trait is his route running, which many believe has improved considerably during his time at Miami. In a draft class, lacking many top level receivers, it is possible for some receivers to really improve their draft stock over the next few months.

Editor’s note: Unfortunately, after accepting his invite and being part of the initial roster, Stacy Coley has pulled out of attending the Shrine Game.

Austin Carr, Northwestern – 6’0”, 201

Carr was one of the most productive wide receivers in all of college football this past season, catching 90 passes for 1,247 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, which is for the top receiver in all of college football. Carr’s best traits include his ability to run good routes, his quickness in and out of breaks and his hands.

He is not an explosive playmaker and rarely will make big plays after the catch, but he just knows how to get open. He will most likely play inside at the next level and could become a reliable chain mover for a team as a third or fourth wide receiver on a roster. He should be taken somewhere in the late rounds on the third day of the draft.

Gabe Marks, Washington State – 5’10″, 185

Marks is my top wide receiver at the event, as he intrigues me the most of the group. This past season he caught 89 passes for 894 yards and 13 touchdowns. While his size and frame also limits him to playing in the slot, Marks is unlike the two receivers I previously mentioned, in that he can be a vertical threat from inside as well.

He has the speed and ability at times to get behind a defense and make a big play down the field. While his timed speed may not be blazing, he is quicker than fast, knows how to get in and out of his breaks smoothly and possesses solid hands. If any receiver gets the call up to the Senior Bowl, I believe Marks has the best chance to. I think he is solid third day prospect, who should come off the board between rounds four through six in the NFL Draft.

All official player measurements can be found on Rotoworld.

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East-West Shrine Game Preview