2024 East-West Shrine Bowl Preview

The 99th edition of the East-West Shrine Bowl kicks off Thursday, February 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET on NFL Network.

While often less covered than the Senior Bowl, the Shrine Bowl still provides an excellent showcase for future NFL stars. Walter Payton, Lawrence Taylor, John Elway, and Tom Brady are all Shrine Bowl alumni. Not to mention, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco played in the 2022 Shrine Bowl, and San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody was the Offensive MVP of last year’s game. All three will be suiting up - and figuring to play a significant role - in Super Bowl LVIII.

Like their predecessors, several players on the field this year will undoubtedly be making contributions in late-season games next year. Here are five Shrine Bowl prospects to keep an eye on.

Southern Miss RB Frank Gore Jr.

His dad played 16 seasons in the NFL and ranks third all-time in career rushing yards. The younger Gore played four seasons at Southern Miss where he surpassed 1,000 yards on the ground twice and earned All-Sun Belt honors three times. Gore projects as a Day 3 pick but should translate into a reliable power back at the next level.

Virginia WR Malik Washington

Washington is undersized at just 5-foot-8, but he can ball. He broke Herman Moore’s single-season receiving yardage mark at UVA with 1,426 and set a new program record with 110 receptions in 2023. His ability to create separation and make moves in space should lead to his name being called by the end of Day 2.

Boston College OG Christian Mahogany

A likely Day 2 selection, Mahogany was a three-year starter and a First Team All-ACC pick at Boston College. He’s a mauler in the run game and displayed excellent athleticism playing in a scheme that regularly pulled its guards.

South Dakota State OG Mason McCormick

A three-year captain and member of back-to-back national championship teams at SDSU, McCormick can elevate his draft stock with a great performance in Frisco. He has good power and versatility. If he holds his own against FBS talent, he could easily become a mid-round selection.

Toronto Argonauts CB Qwan’tez Stiggers

Stiggers is a fascinating prospect in that he could become just the third player in history drafted without having played college football (joining Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Eric Swann in 1991 and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Moritz Boehringer in 2016). The undersized cornerback played in the Fan Controlled Football League before joining the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts for the 2023 season. He was the CFL Rookie of the Year and is likely to be a priority free agent for NFL clubs if he isn’t drafted on Day 3.

Two more roster invitees who have been unable to practice this week are Texas A&M LB Edgerrin Cooper and Florida State QB Jordan Travis. Cooper is a quality coverage linebacker who should receive first-round consideration, while Travis finished fifth in the 2023 Heisman Trophy voting and projects as an early-to-mid-round pick, pending his recovery from a broken leg suffered in a game last November.