2026 East-West Shrine Bowl: Who Stood Out?

As the focus shifts toward the NFL Combine, it is time to highlight some of the standouts from the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl. On offense or defense, there were plenty of athletes who made their mark and started the process off with a bang. We’ll go through some key standouts from the event on both sides of the ball. Each player highlighted truly stood out in their own way.

2026 Shrine Bowl Standouts

Brian Parker II, IOL, Duke

The Shrine Bowl had some very impressive offensive linemen, and Brian Parker II was among the best.

Playing center for the first time since being recruited to Duke, the ACC standout got better each day of practice at The Star. As a run blocker, Parker showed great feel for the concepts. He was able to utilize his strength and movement, putting together solid tape. As a pass blocker, Parker was even better.

Using his athletic ability and technique to his advantage, the offensive lineman stuck with defensive linemen, dealt with strength well, and even stonewalled some defenders. 

Racking up plenty of reps at both tackle spots in college, Parker showed that he can hang in the interior at the next level.

Jack Endries, TE, Texas

Another position that had multiple standouts in Frisco was tight end, and Jack Endries was one of the best among them.

Endries shined as a pass catcher over two days of practice. The tight end utilized smooth route running, strong hands, and great burst for a player at his position. The former Cal and Texas standout fought through contact, too. Even if defenders got their hands on him, the tight end found a way to make plays. As a blocker, Endries showed the effort and ability that allowed him to improve over the years. 

At the 2026 Shrine Bowl, Endries confirmed that he can be a true pass-catching weapon for a team at the next level.

Chris Hilton, WR, LSU

The LSU product won as a route runner on countless occasions at the 2026 Shrine Bowl, using his quickness and burst to make plays. Hilton showed an understanding of how to work against different types of coverages, how to beat man coverage with speed, and the necessary skill to play through contact. Clemson’s Cade Klubnik immediately built a rapport with the wideout and was rewarded, as the two connected on multiple chunk plays throughout the week. 

For a variety of reasons, Hilton did not find a significant level of production at LSU. Yet, the wideout is walking out of the all-star circuit in a much better position than he entered. He is the type of player a team should be more than willing to take a shot on. 

Mark Gronowski, QB, Iowa

The South Dakota State and Iowa product ripped throws over the middle of field and was not afraid to attack vertically at the 2026 Shrine Bowl. He understood what he was seeing as a passer, got through his reads consistently, and did not try to make too many ill-advised throws. Specifically, the touch Gronowski had was impressive. He had multiple plays where he layered the ball over linebackers or defensive backs. Additionally, the footwork and technique of the quarterback was superb and crisp.

In the game, the quarterback showed off the rest of his skillset. Gronowski not only threw well on the run, but also displayed his signature mobility and the toughness to throw blocks in key situations.

Taking both his college tape and Shrine Bowl tape into consideration, Gronowski can carve out a good role for himself at the NFL level. If not as a starter immediately, Gronnowski should be able to settle in as a backup or a steady presence in a team’s QB room.

Eli Heidenreich, RB, Navy

Playing a true “running back” position for the first time, Eli Heidenreich put on a show at the 2026 Shrine Bowl.

The Navy offensive weapon had some nice rushing reps over the week, showing burst, smoothness, and explosiveness. He got better with the scheme as the week went on, showing better vision and understanding of his blocks through each practice.

However, the best part of Heidenreich was his pass-catching ability. The running back showed impressive agility and body control on all of his routes. He was breaking off speed turns, unleashing impressive routes, and making leaping sideline catches. Heidenreich even had a sick one-handed catch on the move, showing his high potential in that area of the game.

It’ll be fascinating to see if Heidenreich sticks as a running back, wideout, or a combination of both at the NFL level. But based on his college tape and Shrine Bowl performance, the Navy standout has done more than enough for a team to take a shot on him.

Wesley Williams, EDGE, Duke

If things continue on the path laid out from the 2026 Shrine Bowl, Wesley Williams will be a riser in this draft process.

As a run defender, Williams played with a great anchor with heavy hands. The defensive lineman took on blocks in a great way, never truly getting washed out of a play. Williams also used those hands to rip into the backfield and make plays on ball carriers. 

As a pass rusher, the Duke standout ran through offensive tackles with power and showcased bend to get around the corner with burst. Williams built upon his pass-rushing bag each day, forcing offensive linemen to account for a wide variety of moves and counters. As a result of his work, he garnered attention from the offensive line that helped set up his teammates.

The Shrine Bowl was not the start of the skill showcase for Williams. The edge rusher was a force in the run game and notched a nine-sack season in 2024. Having power and burst in all areas of the game, Williams is the type of player anyone would be very keen to add to a defensive line room.

Mason Reiger, EDGE, Wisconsin

He may have plenty of injury questions heading toward the next level, but at the 2026 Shrine Bowl, Mason Reiger showed everyone that he can dominate.

The Wisconsin product was legitimately one of the best pass rushers at either event over the past two weeks. With speed or power, Reiger destroyed offensive linemen in practice. Reiger showcased great hand usage, combined with explosiveness on almost every single rep and good play strength. He beat double teams and consistently got around the edge to make big-time plays. As a run defender, Reiger attacked plays with strength and showed great effort. He also flew all over the field.

On a play where he would have made a play in the backfield, the edge rusher still decided to chase the ball carrier down the field. 

And by the way, the Wisconsin product wrecked shop in the Shrine Bowl game. Notching three sacks in a dominant performance, Reiger won the Defensive MVP. 

Health is a major question for the edge rusher as he heads toward the NFL level. But based on pure skill, Reiger is worth a pick, and can make a very early impact on passing downs.

Landon Robinson, DL, Navy

Navy’s stamdouts do not end with Eli Heidenreich, as Landon Robinson was just as good at the 2026 Shrine Bowl.

The All-American was dominant, displaying a low center of gravity and ridiculous strength to make plays. He took on blockers in the run game with force and then proceeded to throw them aside. As a pass rusher, Robinson was just as good.

The defensive tackle displayed great hand usage, a wide array of pass rush moves, and overall explosiveness that allowed him to make plays all week. Specifically, the Navy defensive tackle attacked on a dominant Day 3, looking unblockable.

Robinson does not have the prototypical build for a trench player. Yet, with his body of work and athletic profile, Robinson is going to carve out a role for himself at the NFL level. And just as he did at Navy, do not be surprised if he becomes a standout at the NFL level in one way or another. 

Devon Marshall, CB, NC State

Running his second leg of the all-star gauntlet, Devon Marshall had an excellent performance at the 2026 Shrine Bowl.

The NC State product was smooth on almost every rep he had over the course of the week, utilizing his athleticism and physicality consistently. Marshall’s reps in man coverage also looked great.

He stuck to receivers and was a force playing through the hands at the catch point. The cornerback also showcased great athleticism and speed all over the field, as receivers never truly found a way to create true separation against him. To put it lightly, it was a rare sight to see any player find success against Marshall. 

Marshall was one of the best cornerbacks in the ACC this past season, displaying the same ball skills and physicality that were a constant for him on both of his Shrine Bowl practices. Heading into the NFL Combine, Marshall is one of my favorite players at the cornerback position this year.

Ceyair Wright, CB, Nebraska

Speaking of cornerbacks, Ceyair Wright was a major standout at this year’s Shrine Bowl.

The Nebraska product was physical all week against a wide variety of wideouts. He showed great technique, instincts, and overall athletic ability from both the outside and the slot. Wright’s ball skills were extremely impressive throughout the week, as were his coverage instincts. Not only was he rarely beaten, but Wright was constantly in position to make big-time plays. Additionally, Wright’s energy was extremely noticeable; the cornerback loved competing, and he loved being on the field at The Star.

Wright has had enough college production to support his Shrine Bowl tape, whether at USC or Nebraska. With his competitiveness and skill, Wright would be a fun addition to a team’s cornerback depth right off the bat.