Shrine Bowl 2025: Standout Players After Day 1

By / Devy & College Football / Leave a Comment
LaJohntay Wester, Shrine Bowl, The League Winners

The college all-star games are here! The 100th edition of the East-West Shrine Bowl is underway in Dallas, Texas. Under the intentful eyes of various teams and media personnel, the practices for both teams started on Saturday morning.

I have the privilege to cover practice in person on Saturday and Sunday before I head to Mobile for Senior Bowl coverage. As a result, certain players stood out to me throughout the two practices, which were located at the University of North Texas. I mainly watched the QBs, WRs, TEs, and secondary. If you want a recap of some of the best trench play of the day, please check out Thomas’s article here!

Now, this does not mean that these players will immediately be superstars. It does not mean they are going to be bonafide first-round picks or top-50 picks. Rather, this is a starting point. It is a foundation to build from, like a first impression. So, without further ado, let’s get into the standouts for the first day of practice from the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl.

2025 Shrine Bowl Standout Players

East Team

Cam Miller, QB – NDSU

In a group headlined by Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord, a different quarterback took the spotlight.

I was impressed by North Dakota State’s Cam Miller during the East’s portion of the practice. He hit all of his easy throws, whether they were out routes or hitches. Yet when it came to the difficult throws, Miller showed impressive flashes.

His highlight of the day was a throw across the middle to former Auburn tight end Rivaldo Fairweather. Miller fit it in between two defenders and hit Fairweather in stride, which is placement that could not have been any better.

Additionally, Miller made a great throw on the run to his left, escaping pressure and hitting his receiver perfectly in stride.

One performance is not enough to change a player’s entire stock. However, through his play today, Miller is now a player that I will be firmly watching to see how he progresses throughout the week and the draft process.

Oronde Gadsden II, TE – Syracuse

One of the best players at the Shrine Bowl, Oronde Gadsden II showed why he is viewed as such a dynamic threat.

No matter the matchup, the Syracuse tight end was getting open. He was creating constant separation with his routes, using his frame to shield off defenders, and catching the ball through contact.

Gadsden Jr. also showed off some of his speed, using it to make himself a more open target when his quarterbacks needed him the most.

It was just another day of great receiving production for the star tight end. Gadsden is one of the best pure receiving talents at his position, if not in the entire draft. He is a trusted weapon for his quarterbacks and continues to show that he can beat any competition lined up against him.

If Gadsden replicates this production all week, he will prove once again to the wider football community that he is a valuable asset as a pure pass-catcher.

Jamon Dumas-Johnson, LB – Kentucky

One of my favorite players on the East’s defense was Kentucky linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson. The former Georgia and Kentucky linebacker showed off his trademark speed, flying through a hole what would have been a TFL.

However, Dumas-Johnson was even more impressive in the passing game.

He stuck with Jacory Crocksey-Merrit down the field and was able to click and close on a short-field hitch route. Dumas-Johnson provided great coverage with hip fluidity, and he did not seem to labor in any capacity while playing in coverage.

The NFL is always searching for linebackers, especially ones that are multifaceted. More performances like this from Dumas-Johnson could have him moving up draft boards quickly.

Francisco Mauigoa, LB – Miami

In a similar vein to Dumas-Johnson, Miami’s Francsico Mauigoa showed some great coverage skills. Mauigoa also displayed great speed in the seven-on-seven portion of practice. He did not get too handsy, mirrored the route-runner, and ensured that the receiver could not make the play.

Mauigoa’s run defense was already an impressive skill and arguably his calling card as a prospect. Yet based on today’s practice, it seems like the Miami product has some other clubs in the bag, specifically as a pass defender. And if that is the case, that could also send him flying up draft boards.

Ja’Corey Brooks, WR – Louisville

Speed and route running is always killer at the next level, and Louisville wideout Ja’Corey Brooks showed that during the first practice of the week.

Brooks’s standout play was on a short route after a stutter step. After catching the ball, Brooks found a seam and raced for what likely would have been a touchdown in a real game. It was an impressive play out of what looked to be a minimal gain at its onset.

In addition to this, Brooks broke off some great hitch routes and kept defenders on their toes. He created constant separation and easy throws for his quarterbacks over the course of the practice, whether it was on short routes or intermediate ones.

Brooks, who is officially listed at 6-foot-1, has the size and traits to make an impact at the NFL level. Today’s practice could have been a glimpse into what he can do as an overall player.

West Team

Ricky White, WR – UNLV

On the West team side of things, there was arguably no receiver better than Ricky White.

The UNLV standout was creating constant separation up and down the field. Whether in one-on-one drills or team drills, White made his presence known. He attacked corners downhill and used that aggression to create space for himself to operate. White also displayed nice hands consistently.

White’s separation, hands, and consistency made him one of the standout players of the day. In a loaded WR class at the Shrine Bowl, White could end up being one of the best.

LaJohntay Wester, WR – Colorado

If anyone is going to outdo White for the crown of best wideout at the Shrine Bowl, it might just be LaJohntay Wester.

The former FAU and Colorado product was a nightmare to cover in space for defensive backs. It was a surprise if Wester did have anyone near him in coverage; the wideout was creating constant separation with quick movements and his explosive ability.

Perhaps more impressively was Wester’s touchdown grab during practice. On a deep ball from Minnesota’s Max Brosmer, Wester got his feet down in bounds and held on through traffic. It was arguably the play of the entire day from either team.

Wester may not be the biggest, but he has everything a modern wideout needs. Whether it is ball skills, route running, speed, or ball tracking, the Colorado product can do it at a high level. Over the course of the remainder of the Shrine Bowl, Wester should continue to stand out in a positive light.

Luke Lachey, TE – Iowa

Sticking with the offensive theme, one tight end stood out above the others for the West team.

Iowa’s Luke Lachey showcased his receiving ability all-day, both down the field and as a safety valve. His highlights came on two separate plays; Lachey made an impressive snag on a route down the seam in 7-0n-7s, and he then beat California safety Craig Woodson through traffic in a “best-on-best” drill.”

 

While he has battled injuries, I see Lachey as a sleeper at a deep position in the draft. With more splash plays as a receiver and separator this week, the Iowa TE could set himself up to be the next product of the school’s “TEU”

Jacolby George, WR – Miami

If Wester and White are the leading contenders for the WR crown this week, then Jacolby George is a primary sleeper pick.

The Miami wideout was, to use a lack of a better term, explosive. George was almost always open, using a great arsenal of route-running moves. He had the cornerbacks guessing, even making one “touch earth” during the one-on-one portion of the practice. To make matters even better for George, he showed some contested-catch skills as well.

Once George got into space, the Miami product was a missile. The wideout used his speed and athleticism to eat up yardage, making the defenders’ lives trying to contain him very difficult.

He may not weigh the most, but George will and can make his presence known on the football field. The explosiveness and athleticism will allow him to make an instant impact, and George’s performance against high-level competition this week will likely impact how teams value him this spring.

Alijah Huzzie, CB – North Carolina

Aggression. That word sums up the play of UNC cornerback Alijah Huzzie on the first day of practice.

Huzzie had multiple plays that would have resulted in tackles, but they were not your standard ones. Instead, he was flying downhill, and sometimes through players, to get to the ball carrier.

As a pass defender, Huzzie was just as aggressive. Even though he lost a rep or two, the UNC defender had some great press-man reps, especially his last one against Colorado’s Jimmy Horn.

Overall, NFL teams need to keep an eye on Huzzie for the remainder of these practices. In an NFL that is shifting toward more old-school concepts and styles, the cornerback has the mentality to fit in and could make a big difference.

Honorable Mentions

These players stood out on day one but could not usurp the abovementioned ones. They are my honorable mentions and a way to share some more players I will be keeping my eye on.

  • Craig Woodson – Explosive in the run-and-pass games today. Want to see more reps where he can be rangy. 
  • Konata Mumpfield – Had great hands and separation. Want to see this continue over the course of the week.
  • Jimmy Horn – Impressive burst, nice route running, and hands. How can he fight through contact at the line of scrimmage? 
  • Teddye Buchanan – Great speed and instincts in coverage. Excited to see him get more work in different types of coverage. 
  • Will Sheppard – Slick route running, good contested catch ability. How does this translate over the course of a week?

Graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fairleigh Dickinson University in May 2023 with a Communications Degree, a concentration in Multimedia Journalism, and a minor in Broadcasting. Received an M.A. in Communication from Fairleigh Dickinson University in May 2024. Wrote for Jets Insider for two years, previously hosted a Knicks podcast for Let's Talk Knicks, and contributed to Inside the Iggles. Currently a writer for Jets X-Factor. Avid movie watcher, gym goer, music listener, and MMA fan.

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