The annual East-West Shrine Game often times is overlooked for all the wrong reasons. Every year there are about 3-4 guys who really stand out at the East-West Shrine Game and go on to have productive NFL careers. The West team defeated the East 10-3 in a low scoring affair. In this article, we will go over defensive players who stood out for better or worse on the East Team. As we get closer to the NFL Draft process which one of these players should you keep your eye on moving forward?
Defensive Lineman:
3 defensive lineman really stood out in a big way during the East-West Game. Trey Hendrickson might have been the best player on the field. Hendrickson is your classic 4-3 defensive who flashed recording a sack-fumble during the game on a talented tackle Avery Gennesey from Texas A&M. He also showed a tremendous motor tracking down numerous screen passes. I have a 3rd round grade on him at the moment. Next was Florida defensive end Bryan Cox from Florida who is the son of the Falcons defensive line coach who also goes by the same name. The Gators always seem to produce talented defensive players such as Jonathan Bullard last year. Outside of Alabama, Florida has the best defense in the SEC and Cox is a big part o that reason. Given the bloodlines of his father, I like his chances to make it. Finally, there is DeAngelo Brown of Louisville.
Linebackers:
Javancy Jones was used primarily as a pass rusher for Jacksonville State but is more of a fit at linebacker. Jones consistently found his way to the football making a bunch of tackles. He also is an extremely smart football player who also had a scholarship offer to Duke but chose to play for Jacksonville State instead.
Defensive Backs:
Overall this group was tough to grade because the quarterbacks did not throw the ball down the field very often. Chris Hairston from Temple seemed to be the perfect scrappy corner every team needs. He struggled a bit with the ball in the air but look terrific in the slot. A pair of Michigan guys also stood out. Safety Dymonte Thomas showed great range and tackled exceptionally well. Corner Channing Stribling didn’t have a great performance but he is so long that receivers didn’t have great success getting off the line of scrimmage.
