On Location: 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl
All Access Football highlights the top prospects in attendance for the 99th annual East-West Shrine Bowl held at 'The Star' in Frisco, Texas.
Welcome to the All Access Football Report for Wednesday, February 7, 2024. Before you begin, a quick reminder that the SMWW NFL Combine Football Career Conference will be held February 29-March 2 in Indianapolis. We look forward to seeing you there!
The 99th annual East-West Shrine Bowl is in the books! Of the various all-star events attended on this year’s scouting trails, the Shrine Bowl easily takes home the award for most organized. Practices were held early, in a crisp manner and scouts were able to maximize their days to the fullest. The easy and painless credential check-in was fantastic and the access was incredible for scouts, media and agents. Kudos to executive director Eric Galko and his staff—special shoutout to Owen Riese who has been a driving force behind the scenes.
The decision to permanently host the East-West Shrine Bowl at ‘The Star’ is a home run decision. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has longed to have an all-star game and he will ensure that the event becomes a staple for Frisco. We thank them for hosting us and look forward to the centennial anniversary inn 2025!
On the field, numerous players made their presence felt amongst talent-evaluators in attendance.
2024 EAST-WEST SHRINE BOWL TOP 10 STANDOUTS
So which players stood out above the rest? Here’s a look at the top 10 pound-for-pound players we saw throughout the course of the practice week and game.
Christian Mahogany, OG, Boston College [6024/318/3338/1058/8228] – The prototype, classic BC offensive lineman, Mahogany is tough, tenacious, bendy, stout at the point of attack and fundamentally sound. He possesses the strength to seal off massive run lanes and can get down the line in a jiffy. He missed the 2022 season due to a torn ACL but started all 12 games this year and looked to be the top player.
Myles Murphy, DT, North Carolina [6037/312/3348/0938/7968] – One of the most experienced prospects in Frisco, Murphy boasts 50 starts in the ACC and played like a bowling ball with spikes during 1-on-1 matchups. His size, motor and burst off the ball snap were impressive. In addition, Murphy flashed violent hands and overwhelming power. He projects as a valuable rotational defensive lineman at the next level and could even land inside the top 100 overall.
Qwan’tez Stiggers, CB, Toronto Argonauts [5113/203/3028/0878/7278] - Despite having never played a down of college football, Stiggers was by far the most polished due to his pro experience (read full story here). The CFL Most Outstanding Rookie put on a daily clinic and clamped down all receivers who lined up across from him in practice. He set the tone once again during the game, showing off his gunner skills with a tackle on the opening kickoff. Stiggers holds a solid Rd4 grade in our book.
Khristian Boyd, DT, Northern Iowa [6021/320/3148/0948/7658] – Check Northern Iowa. Check. Check. Check. That was most likely what most scouts in attendance had in their notebooks, as the FCS standout constantly wore out players with Power 5 helmet stickers and checked all the boxes along the way. The FCS All-American has a wrench that fits any job, combining size, strength, get off and tenacity. After showing out at both the Hula and Shrine bowls, expect to hear his name called on Day Three come April.
Anthony Gould, WR, Oregon State [5080/172/2928/o868/6948] – One trait you simply cannot teach which every team is infatuated with is speed. That makes Gould worth his weight in gold. It was evident to see the type of impact Gould was able to make with the speed displayed on his 80-yard punt return for touchdown during the game. Give this young man credit for shaking off some early-week drops and rebounding in a big way, making it impossible for scouts to ignore his quicks.
Malik Washington, WR, Virginia [5081/192/3000/0918/7328] – In terms of the best route runner and overall wideout in attendance, that distinction would belong to Washington. The ability to plant and go made it near impossible for any defender to cover him. While the long speed may not compare, his explosiveness off the line of scrimmage and separation ability is reminiscent of Tank Dell (Texans). He had just 1,348 receiving yards during his four years at Northwestern before his bust out season for the Caviliers (1,426 yards). Was he a one-year wonder, or just used improperly?
Xavier Thomas, DE, Clemson [6016/244/3268/0868/7900] – An injury-riddled career and a constant crop of fellow five-star recruits landing at Clemson made it difficult for Thomas to fulfill lofty expectations during his collegiate career. However, he was clearly a problem to defend for opposing offensive lineman, as Thomas won with quickness and strength, while displaying his ability to convert speed-to-power. It will be interesting to see just how high he can go lacking ideal NFL size and arm length.
Walter Rouse, OT, Oklahoma [6054/319/3538/1000/8318] – With 39 games started at Stanford (2,552 at left tackle), plus 12 games started at left tackle for the Sooners, along with great size and above average movement skills, Rouse owns the pedigree. For most of the week, he looked the part, outside of one bothersome rep; he was straight flat-lined and run over by Charlotte DE Eyabi Okie-Anoma [6037/253/3278/0900/7938], a transfer from Alabama. It was an embarrassing rep that could easily be discarded by some but a concerning reminder as to whether or not Rouse possesses adequate enough strength. His bench press reps could carry a bit more weight than most, something we’ll be monitoring.
Fabien Lovett, DT, Florida State [6033/307/3458/1038/8400] – In terms of, ‘looked the part, played the part,’ Lovett surely showed up, demonstrating an outstanding blend of strength and agility. A multiple time team captain and Bobby Bowden Leadership Award winner, he won the majority of one-on-one reps. With 37 starts at FSU and another 13 starts previously at Mississippi State, Lovett is battle-tested, yet would still seem to have his best football ahead of him.
Blake Watson, RB, Memphis [5093/189/2978/0868/7178] – Previously named Hula Bowl MVP, Watson carried his momentum into Frisco, where once again he stood out amongst all running backs in attendance. He was also one of the fastest players, topping a max speed of 20.58mph. One could state a case for Watson as game Shrine MVP, as he finished with 46 rushing yards and led all participants with 65 receiving yards. Originally viewed as a late round prospect, Watson may have played himself into the middle rounds. Here is the scouting report filed after observing him late in the season at Temple:
“Shows tremendous patience. Keeps legs churning upon and through contact; can push a pile despite stature. Stays in on third down; willing blocker but does lack adequate strength to be relied upon. Most impressive is his pass-catching prowess out of the backfield. Transfer from Old Dominion; 5-yr Sr. All-CUSA kick returner as freshman. A high school track and field All- American. Team captain; similar to Chase Edmonds.” — (Filed 11/24/23)
(Pictured Above: All Access Football contributors Ric Serritella and Bo Marchionte)
EAST-WEST SHRINE BOWL NOTEBOOK
Kentucky QB Devin Leary [6010/215/3078/0938/7428] was the best field general of the infantry, as he flashed some rare throws throughout the week and was tops amongst the Zebra tracking categories in terms ball velocity, rpm and distance ... A very cool moment when Southern Miss RB FrankGore Jr. [5071/199/2900/0838/6958/4.52], with Frank Gore Sr. in attendance, took home MVP honors, while hitting 20.6mph on his opening drive 48-yard touchdown scamper … The freaky agility, body balance and change of direction was noticeable all week when observing WR Tahj Washington [5097/177/286/0828/6948] who is a gadget-type player that will fight to make the backend of a roster … UCLA leading tackler DE Darius Muasau [5116/234/3128/0958/7578] is trending up; after finishing the season with a bang, earning LA Bowl Defensive MVP honors, Muasau turned heads throughout the week of practice—a strong combine can go a long ways in helping to solidify his draft stock … Tulane DB Jarius Monroe [6004/222/3118/0858/7500] took home the Defensive MVP Award with one tackle, one pass deflection and a game-sealing interception. The Green Wave cornerback was featured primarily at safety during the week and in the game, a position that suits him best in the NFL … Harrison Missouri PK Harrison Mevis [5117/251/3078/0868/7458] is a name you need to know. The clutch kicker has nailed numerous game-winning field goals and owns a boot for a leg; he stands a very good chance to be drafted.
A handful of injured or rehabbing players accepted invites to the East-West Shrine Bowl for the sake of meeting with teams. Some notable names include Florida State QB Jordan Travis [6005/212/3118/0878/7618], Texas RB Jonathan Brooks [n/a], Kentucky WR Tayvion Robinson [5100/191/306/0928/7528], Texas TE JT Sanders [6036/252/3258/0978/7748], Pittsburgh OT Matt Goncalves [6057/317/3358/0918/8218], Washington DE Zion Tupuola-Fetui [6051/308/3328/096/8168], Texas A&M LB Edgerrin Cooper [6020/227/3348/0958/8018], USC CB Christian-Roland-Wallace, amongst others.
ALL ACCESS FOOTBALL NETWORK
WATCH: Tune-in to find out more about what we saw and heard on the ground in Mobile at the Reese’s Senior Bowl, plus Super Bowl Predictions with Sports Rage host Gabriel Morency.