Shrine Bowl 2025: Stock Up, Stock Down After Day 1

By / Devy & College Football / Leave a Comment
2025 Shrine Bowl, The League Winners

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, and that statement couldn’t be more true as things ramp up for the 2025 NFL draft. The East-West Shrine Bowl has begun practice, and players are quickly improving – or potentially lowering – their draft stock in the process. Practice and opportunities are far from over (and my opinion is far from gospel). However, we’ll look at the players who rose their stock, and who may have seen theirs lowered after the first day of practices.

Shrine Bowl 2025 – Stock Up

I will preface this portion of the article by stating my opinions are only on the players that I saw perform on the first day of practice at the Shrine Bowl. With that said, we’ll look at whose stock rose on Day 1.

Cam Miller, Quarterback – North Dakota State (East Team)

Being a quarterback in these type of all-star bowl games is difficult, to say the least. The timing is never perfect (especially on the first day of practice) as everyone adjusts to the cadence, style, and rhythm of their teammates. Yet practice looked like poetry in motion for NDSU quarterback Cam Miller on Day 1.

Miller displayed great arm strength in the first day of practice, and excellent technique. Timing didn’t seem to be an issue for him, either, as he connected consistently in the early portions of practice. There was zip on the ball, and accuracy, to boot.

I said it once, and I will say it again. Cam Miller was the best quarterback at the Shrine Bowl on the first day of practice.

https://twitter.com/ThomasCP_NFL/status/1883179802569646219

Oronde Gadsden II, Tight End – Syracuse (East Team)

The Syracuse Orange had a number of players stand out on the first day of practice. However, it’s hard not to put Oronde Gadsden II on this list. The Syracuse tight end surprised many when he weighed in at 247 pounds; and, given his quickness on the field, it’s hard to blame them.

Gadsden is a proficient route-runner who glides across the field. Yet his soft hands and awareness make him an instant receiving threat.

https://twitter.com/ThomasCP_NFL/status/1883170066671546611

The tight end made multiple adjustments during practice, and is a true unicorn at the position. His blocking may take time to get up to speed at an NFL-level, but it’s hard to ignore the talent on display.

Fadil Diggs, Edge – Syracuse (East Team)

Perhaps out of nowhere, Syracuse Orange Edge Fadil Diggs showed he was a dominant force on the first day at the Shrine Bowl.

The ‘Cuse prospect showed an endless motor in Saturday’s practice, as well as a plethora of moves to attack opposing offensive linemen. Diggs was especially impressive during live reps, where he was consistently in the backfield. Shrine Bowl’s Owen Riese (AD of college scouting) named Diggs as a prospect to watch this week, and it’s hard to say he’s wrong with reps like these.

Cobee Bryant, Cornerback – Kansas (East Team)

Despite measuring “undersized”, Kansas Jayhawks cornerback Cobee Bryant showed exactly why he’s a favorite among NFL scouts. The KU product shows incredible closing and recovery speed and a knack for breaking up passes.

Bryant doesn’t shy away from contact. He also doesn’t back down from a challenge. It’s impossible to look at his film from Day 1 and suggest he’s done anything other than raise his draft stock.

Ricky White, Wide Receiver – UNLV (West Team)

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to watch much of the offensive production outside of live drills for the West Team. However, it was incredible hard not to notice the type of production Ricky White was putting on display.

White was consistently finding himself open throughout the day at practice. The UNLV product had an excellent rep against California CB Nohl Williams (who later got even), yet it was the crispness and agility of his breaks and leverage on his stems that were impressive. White continues to have strong performances as we get closer to the NFL draft.

Hollin Pierce, Offensive Tackle – Rutgers (West Team)

When we interviewed Hollin Pierce on Friday, he told us that he wants to mold his game after All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith. To little surprise, not only does he look like Smith (the neckroll might have something to do with that), but he plays like him, too.

In one-on-one reps, Pierce portrayed excellent footwork and hand placement, winning with ease on most occasions. Given his size, footwork, strength, and football knowhow, it’s hard not to come away impressed by the Scarlet Knights’ OT.

Jack Conley, Offensive Lineman – Boston College (West Team)

Another impressive performance among the West Team’s offensive line came from Boston College lineman Jack Conley. The sixth-year player mentioned he wanted to showcase his versatility at the Shrine Bowl; and yet while he primarily was plugged in at guard, Conley made his presence felt on Day 1.

One specific rep that should make NFL teams happy came in live drills, where Conley helped chip a defender and quickly moving into the second level. His block allowed for a large gain through the ground – and was perhaps the best block of any lineman in live drills.

Ahmed Hassanein, Edge – Boise State (West Team)

One player that truly impressed with his arsenal of pass-rushing moves was Boise State’s Ahmed Hassanein. The Edge defender played like with ferocity in Saturday’s practice, with a motor that would not quit. Hassanein won multiple reps throughout the day, showcasing he was not a one-trick pony in the process, too. (Please, ignore the typo in the tweet below – it was obviously a spin move, not a swim move).

Craig Woodson, Safety – California (West Team)

When we spoke to Craig Woodson on Friday, he told us that he felt he was being underrated by the national media (which is absurd considering his film and advanced analytics). Yet while the national media is sleeping on the University of California product, I am not.

Woodson once again showcased incredible closing speed, and a knack for making plays on the ball in live practice sessions. Beyond that, the safety showcased excellent hip fluidity and footwork in drills early in the practice showing. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Woodson is a top-5 safety in the 2025 NFL draft.

Shrine Bowl 2025 – Stock Down

I’m going to preface this portion by first mentioning that only one practice has been completed at the Shrine Bowl. This isn’t my final opinion on any player mentioned, and this isn’t an obituary on their potential NFL playing careers. However, I feel it’s important to note those that underperformed (in my eyes) based on Saturday’s practice.

Payton Thorne, Quarterback – Auburn (East Team)

Overall, it wasn’t a great showing for many of the quarterbacks on Saturday’s practice. As I mentioned before, it takes time to develop a repertoire with players you’ve never played with before. However, Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne did himself little favors in the opportunities that he had. Thorne was erratic with the placement of his throws. Given the limited reps in each session, performance and intangibles are key. It’ll be interesting to see if Thorne can bounce-back going forward.

Mello Dotson, Cornerback – Kansas (East Team)

As a fan of the “No Fly Zone” that Mello Dotson and the aforementioned Cobee Bryant created at Kansas, this pains me to write.

Yes, the defensive schemes are incredibly bland in these type of practice settings. However, Dotson consistently gave away spacing and leverage on nearly every attempt during live reps. It was a noticeable performance, for the wrong reasons. While it didn’t see repercussions based on the looks of the opposing offense, it wasn’t encouraging to see from a player of Dotson’s caliber.

Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, Offensive Tackle – Florida (West Team)

Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson was arguably one of my favorite interviews and conversations during Friday’s media portion. Unfortunately, the first day of live practices at the Shrine Bowl did not go well for the Gators’ offensive tackle.

One on hand, BCD was going up against some of the better Edge Rushers in one-on-one reps, so I don’t want to be too harsh. However, this article is through an honest, non-biased approach. While I think better days are coming for him, BCD makes the list here.

Chaz Chambliss, Edge – Georgia (West Team)

Unfortunately, Chaz Chambliss had to go against some of the better left tackles during the West Team practices at the Shrine Bowl. Because of that, he likely didn’t put up the performance he would have wanted to at the first day of practice.

Better things could be ahead for the Georgia player. Yet, he will need to put together a much better day of practice on Sunday. For now, he finds himself on the stock down list.

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