Next week's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama gets a lot of media attention for being one of the major pre-draft events on the NFL offseason calendar, but all 32 teams are currently represented in St. Petersburgh, Florida for this week's East-West Shrine Bowl practices and then game Saturday at 3 p.m. on the NFL Network.
This event has produced its fair share of NFL talent over the years. San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was the game's MVP in 2014.
Here's a look at 10 players to keep an eye on during the game:
1. Tyler Huntley, QB, Utah
This dual-threat quarterback was a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and the Manning Award, and was a semifinalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, the Davey O'Brien Award and the Lombardi Award. Huntley's 177.5 passer efficiency rating this season was the sixth best in all of Division I college football. He threw for 3,092 yards with 19 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He also rushed for 444 yards and five scores.
2. LeVante Bellamy, RB, Western Michigan
His 1,472 rushing yards this season ranked 10th among college football's running backs. He's a burner that was recorded running a 4.28-second 40-yard dash (laser timed) before the season. Bellamy averaged 5.5 yards per attempt, and his 23 touchdowns also led the nation.
3. Luq Barcoo, CB, San Diego State
There was no better ball-hawking cornerback than Barcoo in college football this season. His nine interceptions and 16 pass breakups both led the country. He's got good length at 6-foot-1, but is a little on the light side at 175 pounds. A good week in St. Petersburgh could go a long way in helping Barcoo move up the ranks in this talented draft class at cornerback.
4. Dele Harding, LB, Illinois
Harding was the first Illinois linebacker in nine years to be named First-team All-Big Ten. His 147 tackles were the second most in the nation, and he also added 13.0 tackles for loss, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and two touchdowns. He's got a nice all-around skill set at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds.
5. Alex Highsmith, DE, Charlotte
He was on the Chuck Bednarik Award (Defensive Player of the Year) watch list before the season and he didn't disappoint. Highsmith (6-4, 242) recorded 14.0 sacks, the third highest in college football this season. He also added 75 tackles and forced a fumble. He's a name NFL fans will become more familiar with in the NFL pre-draft process.
6. Adrian Killins Jr., RB, Central Florida
Another back with blazing speed, Killins averaged an impressive 7.2 yards per carry this season. He wasn't UCF's featured back all season, but made the most of his opportunities, especially late in the year, when he rushed for 95 yards and a TD against Tulsa and for 115 yards and a score in the season finale against UCF.
7. Gage Cervenka, G, Clemson
A former defensive tackle turned guard, Cervenka was a Second-team All-ACC selection after starting every game this season for Clemson at guard. He's played in 44 career games with 21 starts and has been extremely durable for the Tigers. He also has experience playing center, which NFL teams will like.
8. Rashad Smith, LB, Florida Atlantic
Smith is kind of a do-it-all linebacker with an interesting skillset at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds. He's recorded at least 85 tackles in each of the last three seasons at Florida Atlantic and finished 2019 with 109 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three interceptions and a forced fumble.
9. Jon Runyan, OT, Michigan
A two-time All-Big Ten honoree, he started the last two seasons for the Wolverines at left tackle. This is a big week for Runyan (6-5, 321) to prove he can play at this level and match up with some of the better pass rushers down in St. Petersburgh this week.
10. Austin Edwards, DE, Ferris State
There have been many Division II athletes who've entered the NFL via the draft and been terrific players for a long time. Maybe Edwards can become the next player among that group? He's got good size (6-3, 280), and led Ferris State's No. 2 scoring defense this season with 10.5 sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He also notched 43 tackles.
