The West team defeated the East team, 21-17, in the 101st East-West Shrine Bowl on Tuesday night.
After a week of practices leading up to the clash at The Star in Frisco, Texas, there were eight 2026 NFL Draft prospects that stood out to me the most with their play in the game.
A year ago, I identified receiver Efton Chism III, running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt and cornerback Nohl Williams among the 2025 Shrine Bowl’s top performers. Croskey-Merritt became a well-known name among Commanders fans, running for 805 yards and eight scores as a rookie. Williams started five games for the Chiefs, breaking up seven passes, and Chism has been a contributor for the Super Bowl-bound Patriots.
Without further ado, each of the eight players listed below -- along with 20 more prospects worthy of an honorable mention -- added to their résumé on Tuesday with the evaluation process set to play out over the next three months until the draft begins on April 23 in Pittsburgh.
Shad Banks, LB, UTSA
Banks showed scouts he can excel on special teams, making stops on the first two kickoffs. He was all over the field on defense, as well, swallowing running backs on multiple occasions. He avoided a block to make a stop at the line in the first half and twice dipped under oncoming linemen to fill the hole later in the game. Banks also made plays against the pass, knocking down a throw in the end zone late in the first half and upending a receiver in zone coverage over the middle.
Dean Connors, RB, Houston
Connors showed quickness and power during the first half. He spun off contact in the backfield for an excellent run, avoided a tackler in the hole on another inside run and displayed a nice burst up the gut on a six-yard gain. The Rice transfer avoided open-field tackles on two receptions, as well, and scored the team's first touchdown with a great cutback.
Garrett DiGiorgio, OT, UCLA
DiGiorgio played well at right tackle for the West squad, stopping edge rushers in their tracks as a pass protector. His average length (32 3/4-inch arms) will likely push him inside in the NFL, so teams must have been thrilled to see his strength as a run blocker during the contest. The big man's movement skills reaching defenders at the second level and pulling across the formation should endear him to offensive line coaches throughout the league.
Mark Gronowski, QB, Iowa
The game's best quarterback looked the part on Tuesday night, earned Offensive MVP honors. He showed strength in the pocket early on, shaking off defenders to run for a first down. The former Iowa and South Dakota State quarterback threw the ball well in a quarter-plus of action, connecting while moving to his left and right as well as timing up a deep dig route. He even threw the key block on his team's first touchdown, sealing the edge for Dean Connors.
Mason Reiger, Edge, Wisconsin
Reiger beat West team tackles regularly on his way to winning the game's Defensive MVP award. He had three sacks on the night, including a strip-sack off the edge in the third quarter. He was unblocked on his third sack but the closing speed was evident. Quarterbacks felt his presence even if he wasn't directly in their face. Reiger consistently took on blockers in the run game, too, doing his job so others could clean up the play.
Eric Rivers, WR/KR, Georgia Tech
Rivers wasn't the biggest receiver on the Shrine Bowl field, but he was the most reliable. Quarterbacks found him for first downs over the middle and on the sideline. His strong hands and quickness at the top of the route created separation. He turned quickly after the catch to get upfield on the game-winning drive. Rivers also showed a little burst as a kick returner, showing the potential to handle those duties at the next level.
Trey Smack, K, Florida
Kickers don't often get noticed during all-star games, but Smack deserves attention. He connected on a 57-yard field goal with great rotation and elevation at the end of the first half. Smack also squared up against nifty returner Michael Wortham on a second-half kickoff, bringing him down in the open field.
Wesley Williams, Edge, Duke
Known as a pass rusher, Williams proved he can also play the run well during the Shrine Bowl. He beat his man with quickness to stop one early play behind the line. He also exploded into the backfield on a second-quarter run. Williams thwarted a screen pass on the final play of the first quarter with his hustle to the quarterback. He missed a sack early but earned multiple pressures from his familiar edge position and inside on a third-and-long. Finally, he was able to get home with a strip-sack in the end zone that former Duke teammate Aaron Hall fell on for a score.
HONORABLE MENTION
- Lander Barton, LB, Utah
- Jalon Daniels, QB, Kansas
- CJ Donaldson, RB, Ohio State
- Jaden Dugger, LB, Louisiana
- Joe Fagnano, QB, Connecticut
- Aaron Hall, IDL, Duke
- TJ Harden, RB, SMU
- Eli Heidenreich, RB, Navy
- Michael Heldman, Edge, Central Michigan
- Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama
- Dalton Johnson, S, Arizona
- Miller Moss, QB, Louisville
- Febechi Nwaiwu, IOL, Oklahoma
- Dom Richardson, RB, Tulsa
- Karson Sharar, LB, Iowa
- Bauer Sharp, TE, LSU
- James Thompson Jr., IDL, Illinois
- Chip Trayanum, RB, Toledo
- Kaden Wetjen, WR/KR, Iowa
- CJ Williams, WR, Stanford
