Diamonds in the Rough: East-West Shrine Bowl Prospects Catch Bears’ Eyes

Here’s the Quick -n- Dirrty..

• The East West Shrine Bowl allows college players to showcase talents for the NFL, while also raising money for charity. Coaches like the Bears’ Richard Hightower get head coaching experience.
• Standouts from the game included DT Fabian Lovett (Florida State), RB Frank Gore Jr. (MVP, Southern Miss), C Hunter Nourzad (Penn State), G Caden Wallace (Penn State), WR Isaiah Williams (Illinois), and CB Quantez Spriggs (Toronto Argonauts).
• Bears should look at signing OL Mason McCormick and Garrett Greenfield (brothers from South Dakota State) who played lights out on the West squad. Also Miles Murphy (North Carolina) was dominant on defense when he was in.
• Struggles came from Julius Pearl (Illinois OT) who gave up multiple sacks and pressures. Also Jaden Couch (Missouri DT) was invisible with almost no impacts.

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The 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl allowed NFL talent evaluators and coaches like the Bears’ special teams coordinator Richard Hightower to get an up-close look at some of college football’s top prospects ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. While the game allows underrated small-school talents to showcase their skills against FBS competition, it also raises money for Shriners Children’s annual fundraising efforts.

Defensive tackle Fabian Lovett from Florida State made his presence known with a strong showing, regularly disrupting opposing blocking schemes with his blend of size and power at 6’4”, 309 pounds. His draft stock likely got a boost from scouts who question small-school players’ ability to handled elevated competition.

While Lovett flashed on defense, Southern Miss running back Frank Gore Jr. stole the spotlight en route to earning Offensive MVP honors. The son of 5-time Pro Bowler Frank Gore, the young Gore flashed speed and vision reminiscent of his father by breaking off a 45-yard touchdown run. At just 5’8”, 195 pounds, lack of ideal size could hurt Gore Jr.’s stock, but shows enough talent to intrigue teams needing backfield help.

A pair of Nittany Lions strengthened their draft case with strong Shrine Bowl showings as well. On offense, center Hunter Nourzad displayed sound technique and strength anchoring the line at 6’3”, 319 pounds. On the other side, right guard Caden Wallace was dominant against all competition, not letting anyone past him in pass protection. Both look like developmental prospects ready to provide depth and competition for NFL rosters.

While Penn State prospects helped themselves, the game proved humbling for a pair of Illini hoping to get drafted. Left tackle Julian Pearl struggled mightily, giving up multiple sacks and pressures despite possessing prototypical size at 6’5”, 317 pounds. Wide receiver Isaiah Williams flashed intriguing speed, but only managed two receptions working with underwhelming QB play. Still, his athleticism and return ability could entice a late-round flier.

The Shrine Bowl secondary star was Toronto Argonauts cornerback Quantez Spriggs, who locked down receivers all game on his way to Defensive MVP. The physical tackler showed off instincts and ball skills that could make him an intriguing undrafted free agent addition for cornerback-needy teams like the Bears.

On the West squad, small-school studs and “brothers” Mason McCormick and Garrett Greenfield anchored the offensive line for South Dakota State. The dominant left side duo paved rushing lanes and kept quarterbacks clean, reinforcing perceptions that they have the technique and power to succeed against elevated competition. Both look like priority targets for the Bears given persistent O-line needs.

Other defensive standouts included North Carolina defensive tackle Myles Murphy, who regularly disrupted plays when giving his counterpart rests. Murphy projects as a mid-round pick and the Bears still need D-line depth even after drafting a pair of ends in 2023.

In summary, while the Shrine Bowl lacks the elite QB and skill position talent of the Senior Bowl, it remains an opportunity for NFL teams like the Bears to uncover hidden gems who can provide value on Day 3 or as undrafted free agents. Players like Lovett, Gore Jr., Nourzad, Wallace, Spriggs, McCormick and Greenfield likely put themselves firmly on the Bears radar with their standout showings last week.

Bear Down Bears fans! and as always… PEACE!