updates:
2025 NFL Draft: 10 players who stood out in East-West Shrine Bowl practices
Published: Jan 27, 2025 at 06:25 PM
Chad Reuter
Draft Analyst
DENTON, Texas -- The 100th annual
East-West Shrine Bowl will take place at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, on Thursday night (8 p.m. ET, NFL Network). The practices -- held at the indoor facility of the University of North Texas Mean Green -- were quite well attended by scouts, media, agents and coaches alike.
Practices are important for league evaluators because they provide more reps for each player than the game. It's also valuable to see the prospects' hustle, attitude and interactions with coaches and other players.
The 10 players listed below boosted their draft stock with their performance during Shrine Bowl practices, while the prospects who received an honorable mention at the bottom of the file also made a positive impression. Both are presented in alphabetical order.
NOTE: Heights, weights and lengths are official measurements from the event unless otherwise noted.
Tahj Brooks, RB, Texas Tech (5-foot-9 1/4, 229 pounds)
You wouldn't think the 5-9 Brooks weighs almost 230 pounds based on the quickness he showed on the practice field (and during his career at Texas Tech). His plus elusiveness and balance for his size were on full display, whether receiving a handoff or grabbing a pass out of the backfield. Brooks somehow manages to be patient and decisive at the same time, picking out a hole after seeing his blocking unfold but also attacking a crease with utter abandon and lowering his pads to shrink his strike zone. With his combination of agility and power through contact, Brooks stands out, even in a very deep group of running backs poised to go in the third through fifth rounds of the upcoming draft.
Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas (5-11, 171)
CB
Renardo Green showed his ultra-competitive and physical nature at last year's Shrine Bowl practices, ultimately helping to make him a second-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers. Bryant's making a similar case for a top-64 selection this time around. He's been a nagging presence in man coverage, knocking away passes and forcing turnovers. Like Green a year ago, Bryant has drawn a number of flags from the referees on hand at practice, but NFL teams know aggressive play is a must in today's league. Bryant doesn't present the most fluid hips in transition, weighs just 171 pounds and has small hands (8 7/8"). That said, he offers solid length (31 7/8-inch arms) and off-the-charts confidence -- two key ingredients for a starting corner.
Bryce Cabeldue, OL, Kansas (6-4 3/4, 306)
Another Jayhawk makes the list, as Cabeldue really stood out on the interior despite the fact that he only played a handful of snaps at guard while at Kansas. He has guard size, though, and his hip explosion and strong hands helped him control his man off the snap in various run-blocking schemes. His experience at tackle (three-plus years starting on the right side before moving to the left side this past fall) taught him to widen his base and keep his body aligned over his feet in pass protection. Cabeldue would love to follow the same path as his former Kansas teammate,
Dominick Puni, who moved from tackle to guard last postseason and wound up a third-round pick and rookie starter in San Francisco.
Alijah Huzzie, DB, North Carolina (5-9 1/4, 194)
Huzzie proved himself as an FBS-level player by twice garnering honorable mention All-ACC honors with the Tar Heels after transferring in from East Tennessee State. He doesn't have great height or length (30-inch arms), but he was all around the ball throughout practices. Huzzie stuck with quick receivers in the slot and did not give up ground against bigger pass catchers when outside. He broke up multiple passes when in phase with his man on the sideline and over the middle, playing through the catch if unable to prevent the ball from reaching its target. His versatility and acumen as a tough-minded return specialist gives him added value.
Chandler Martin, LB, Memphis (5-11 1/2, 233)
Like Huzzie, Martin transferred to an FBS program after playing at East Tennessee State, becoming a first-team All-American Athletic Conference selection. He was smooth dropping into coverage and reading the quarterback in practice, even ripping the ball away from Miami WR Sam Brown on a checkdown throw Saturday. Linebackers don't really get to show their physicality as tacklers during practice, but with his reaction time and aggression to the ball on run plays, Martin reminded me of some previous sub-6-foot linebacker prospects who've enjoyed success at the next level:
Nick Bolton,
Nakobe Dean,
Dre Greenlaw and Mychal Kendricks.
Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse (6-2 5/8, 224)
McCord transferred from Ohio State to Syracuse for the 2024 season and proceeded to lead the FBS (and set an ACC record) with 4,779 passing yards. With that résumé, it wasn't surprising he was clearly the top quarterback prospect on the field this past weekend. The ball left his hand with a tight spiral that regularly hit its target. McCord was able to change his arm angles to find creases for screens and quick outs and was accurate throwing while moving to his left and right. His experience showed when working under center, adeptly handling the ball on play-action and finding a place downfield to rip the ball. In a draft lacking superior depth at the game's most important position, McCord did what was required to wrap up a top-125 draft grade.
Jordan Phillips, DT, Maryland (6-1 1/4, 318)
Phillips isn't as tall or long (32 1/4-inch arms) as many nose tackles, but the 318-pounder carries a large share of his weight between his belt and ankles. That low center of gravity made him tough to move by one or two blockers on run plays this past weekend and allowed him to bull-rush strong linemen like N.C. State's Tim McKay into the backfield in pass-protection drills. Phillips surprised Boston College C Drew Kendall with a spin move to rush the passer during team work on Monday, but his bread and butter on Sundays will be to maintain the line of scrimmage and disengage to stop run plays.
Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Edge, Virginia Tech (6-2 1/4, 253)
Some teams will overlook Powell-Ryland because of his average size and short arms (31 1/8 inches) -- but that would be a mistake. He held his ground at the point of attack despite giving up 60-70 pounds to the various linemen tasked with moving him, and he was able to pound his hands into the chest of Oklahoma State OT Dalton Cooper on multiple occasions, shedding to get into the backfield. Powell-Ryland showed the most promise of any edge player as a pass rusher, not only during one-on-ones when there was a lot of room to operate but also in 11-on-11 play. His effective spin move and quickness off the snap from a hand-down or stand-up position will entice teams that regularly change up their fronts.
Dont'e Thornton, WR, Tennessee (School measurements: 6-5, 214)
According to Pro Football Focus, the most targets Thornton received during his four years of college (two at Oregon, then two at Tennessee) was 38 this past season. Known by most as a deep-ball receiver who led the FBS with an average of 25.4 yards per reception as a senior, he has taken advantage of his reps by showing he can win with quickness on comeback routes and get inside on slants with quickness off the line. Of course, his most notable attribute is the strider's speed once past his defender, which he's shown on multiple occasions when his man was not able to stop his progress at the line. In a class lacking a ton of big-play receivers, Thornton's skill set should earn him a place in the top 150.
Gareth Warren, OL, Lindenwood (6-5 1/8, 330)
Over the past two seasons, Warren started at left tackle for the Division II Lindenwood Lions. He was a two-time all-conference pick at guard in 2021 and '22, however, and looked at home inside during Shrine practices. The native of Hawai'i possesses the length to play outside (33 5/8-inch arms), which was helpful to hold off all comers in pass-protection drills and live play. His anchor is as strong as you'd expect at 6-5, 330 pounds, and the mobility is also there to pull and trap. Warren showed no fear facing opponents from Power Four programs, showing teams he's a worthy selection in the top half of Day 3.
HONORABLE MENTION
Teddye Buchanan, LB, California
Efton Chism III, WR, Eastern Washington
Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan, OT, Oregon State
Oronde Gadsden II, TE, Syracuse
Garnett Hollis, CB, West Virginia
Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa
KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR, Auburn
Konata Mumpfield, WR, Pittsburgh
JJ Pegues, DT, Ole Miss
Hollin Pierce, OT, Rutgers
Esa Pole, OT, Washington State
Marques Sigle, DB, Kansas State
Shamari Simmons, S, Arizona State
Marcus Wehr, OG, Montana State
Antwane Wells, WR, Ole Miss
Craig Woodson, S, California
At East practice, Kyle McCord showed he is the most physically gifted quarterback at Shrine practices. He has excellent stature and a big arm. He wasn't perfect but the physical gifts were obvious. His teammates were Orande Gadsden Jr. (6-4, 247) and Jackson Meeks (6-2, 216)
QB Kyle McCord, Syracuse
McCord was dealing on the first day. He threw many accurate balls to receivers, allowing them to run after the catch. He had great timing with his passes. He also looked poised under center. He moved well on sprintouts and bootlegs.
Love seeing Syracuse’s Kyle McCord step up in the pocket and drive this ball over the middle. Most talented QB practicing this week at the East-West Shrine Bowl.
pic.twitter.com/0L4N3LZlIU
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul)
January 26, 2025
According to
reports from Sporting News, Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord is expected to vault up draft boards ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.
After an impressive 2024 season where he led the nation with 4,779 passing yards and 34 touchdowns, McCord is turning heads with his performance at the East-West Shrine Bowl practices.
McCord, who originally played for Ohio State before transferring to
Syracuse, made the most of his opportunity with the Orange. Under first-year head coach Fran Brown, he led the team to a 10-win season and a spot in the final AP Top 25 rankings. His strong arm and ability to read defenses have drawn the attention of NFL scouts, and his recent showcase at the Shrine Bowl practices has only increased his stock.
Syracuse QB Kyle McCord was reportedly one of the more impressive QBs at the Shrine Bowl today. No surprise. McCord won't be outside my top-3 QBs. His anticipation is outstanding..
pic.twitter.com/hE04QBs55r
— Adam Carter (@SmartfootbalI)
January 25, 2025
While top prospects like Cam Ward from Miami and Shedeur Sanders from Colorado have dominated early mock drafts, McCord is making a case to be in the conversation. With several teams in desperate need of a quarterback and free agency options looking slim, McCord's draft outlook is on the rise. NFL teams are reportedly intrigued by his accuracy, poise under pressure, and ability to lead an offense effectively, all of which he showed at Syracuse.
McCord's next big opportunity to impress scouts will come during the Shrine Bowl game itself, scheduled for January 30. A solid performance could further solidify his status as a potential early-round selection.
If he continues to shine in upcoming pre-draft events, McCord will easily become the first Syracuse quarterback drafted into the NFL since 2013 and possibly even a first-round pick—something the program hasn't seen in over a decade.
McCord deserves all the hype that he's starting to get. He outdueled Cam Ward back in November with less weapons when Syracuse beat Miami, and he was a big reason why the Orange were able to win 10 games in 2024.