The East-West Shrine Bowl is the oldest collegiate all-star game in the nation. Since 2012, it's been played right in the Bucs' backyard, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg. The West team was captained by Ben Steele, former Bucs' tight ends coach under Dirk Koetter and now current offensive assistant in Atlanta. Bucs' current assistant strength and conditioning coach Mike Stacchiotti served as head S&C coach for the West team under Steele.
Below are a few prospects that stood out on the West team.
West Team Standouts…
DT Raequan Williams, Michigan State – He impressed on multiple days in multiple ways, as well. Tuesday's practice he stood out after I watched one of the nastiest spin moves I saw from any player at practice. He snapped his hips well off the line and then ended up batting down a pass at the line later on in the day.
S David Dowell, Michigan State – Towards the end of Wednesday's practice, Dowell went out with a bang as he nabbed himself an interception after jumping a route. It was a great play by yet another Michigan State player. He was a three-year starting safety for the Spartans and had eight career interceptions in his four-year green and white career.
DT Khalil Davis, Nebraska – This guy was one of two defensive tackles from Nebraska (both with the last name Davis, at that) on the West roster. Although he's a bit undersized at 6-0, he does weigh 305, making him a solid player. What he did with that mass was good too. He took on a double-team block in one-on-ones and got through during Tuesday's practice. What he lacks in height, he makes up for in his ability to move blockers off their spots and get penetration.
OLB Casey Toohill, Stanford – I didn't hear too much about Toohill but from what I saw, especially in one-on-ones, he's long and is really athletic. On more than one occasion, I saw him jump up to try and get his hands on a pass. He also made a considered effort to rip the ball out any opportunity he got. In one-on-ones, I watched him get free from the tackle and immediately cut inside. He reacts well.
DT Bravvion Roy, Baylor – A guy not lacking in size was Roy, who is 6-1 and 333 pounds. He was absolutely massive and as a result, had no trouble moving the blockers in front of him.
RB Reggie Corbin, Illinois – Corbin definitely helped himself this past week – not only in the run game but return game, too. The Fighting Illini's starting running back for his senior season, he became just the 18th player in school history to surpass 2,000 career rushing yards. On Tuesday, he identified a big hole in the line and broke loose down the sideline. He may have helped himself more by his punt returns, which were solid.
RB Tony Jones, Notre Dame – Jones showed flashes of speed and had good burst once he got a hole. He was good at finding space on the field and following his blocks down the field.
WR Juwan Johnson, Oregon – In the least shocking take, a guy that sealed an Oregon victory over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl stood out at Shrine Bowl practices. Electing to sport Oregon's chrome helmet, Johnson was easy to keep track of. In one-on-ones, he and his 6-4, 231-pound frame would outmuscle defenders to make catches easily. On Tuesday, Coach Steele had the team do one-on-ones in front of the entire team to end practice. Johnson showed off with a couple of absolutely nasty double-moves to get his defender to bite the opposite direction before he ended up cutting up the field to make the catch. His teammates went nuts and streaked down the field to celebrate with him.
WR Nick Westbrook, Indiana – He's another player that really helped himself after injuries derailed some of his collegiate career at Indiana. His toughness stood out and he made some great contested catches throughout the practices.
WR Binjimen Victor, Ohio State – Another receiver who just gets it. Victor was especially crisp on his route running and had very fluid, sure hands. As a senior in 2019, Victor nabbed 35 catches for 573 yards and six touchdowns for the Buckeyes.
OT Jared Hilbers, Washington – There was a lot of buzz about this guy. He primarily lined up on the left side and showed good hands and good form according to his coach in one-on-ones. The 6-6, 305-pound former Husky certainly looks the part of an NFL tackle, too.
