Standouts and other observations from Day 3 of East-West Shrine Bowl
Max Brosmer makes his case as the best quarterback at the Shrine Bowl.
Three days down at the East-West Shrine Bowl, one to go.
While many are off to Mobile, Alabama for the Reese’s Senior Bowl, I am seeing the practice week all the way through at the University of North Texas in Denton. Kicking off the 2025 NFL Draft pre-draft process in Frisco, this week has left plenty to talk about.
You can find my takeaways and standouts from Day 1 and Day 2 below:
What about Day 3? What was there to take away and who stood out for the best as the week begins to wind to an end?
Let’s talk about it.
Random Observations
Kansas cornerback Cobee Bryant, after two dominant days at the Shrine Bowl, was not in pads today. He told me directly that he had a stomach bug and his coaches told him to sit today out in an attempt to get back to normal for tomorrow’s practice and perhaps the game.
Oklahoma pass rusher Ethan Downs is dealing with a similar issue, leaving the first day of practice with flu-like symptoms. I was told by someone close to him that they are trying to hydrate him and potentially get him an IV to get him back to full health and back on the field.
Deion Sanders was at practice today. While his son, Shedeur, has only participated in team meetings and media sessions, there were still plenty from Colorado represented. Those players include Shilo Sanders, the trio of receivers, and more.
It was a slower install day today, ramping up for one last practice before the game, but there was still plenty to take away!
Max Brosmer: the best QB in Frisco?
Syracuse’s Kyle McCord has the hype as the best quarterback at the Shrine Bowl, and he very well may be. However, Minnesota’s Max Brosmer has been every bit as good.
He was sharp and accurate with the football today. His decision-making shined through in how fast he was getting the ball out. The West team did a ton of red zone work today, and Brosmer seemed to be the quarterback who frequently parsed out the defense.
After transferring from the FCS level to Minnesota this year, Brosmer has a real chance to be one of the many Day 3 quarterbacks off the board early on that day. Who knows? He could be the first.
Two TEs have a day
Two tight ends made a statement on the second-to-last day of practice: Syracuse’s Oronde Gadsden II and Texas Tech’s Jalin Conyers. Both players not only caught everything in sight but looked explosive down the field and after the catch.
Gadsden is an interesting case too of a wide receiver who came into school at sub-200 pounds and has put on nearly 50 pounds since his time in school. And it’s all clean weight as he looks good and carries it well.
Conyers is one of the bigger tight ends in the class but proves to have a little more juice than you’d anticipate after the catch. Blocking is still a developing art for the Oklahoma to Arizona State to Texas Tech tight end, but he’s got the frame to be a dominant one if he buys in.
They’re both fun players on the rise.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith wasn’t guardable
The Penn State to Auburn transfer had a career year in 2024, racking up nearly 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns for the Tigers. He has had sporadic success at the Shrine Bowl, but that has had a bit more to do with quarterback play that has made it difficult to evaluate the wide receivers.
Today, however, Lambert-Smith could not be covered. He made play-after-play deep down the field and caught everything in sight. Lambert-Smith reportedly runs a low-4.3 40-yard dash and has flirted with 40 inches in the vertical jump.
Lambert-Smith will be a role player at the NFL level on the vertical plane, but he can play that role well. If he can consistently perform like this at the NFL level, some team may find a deep threat at the bargain of a Day 3 pick.
DIII’s Thomas Perry proves he belongs
When you can stonewall Georgia defensive tackle Warren Brinson at the Shrine Bowl, that’s a great way to close the bridge between Division III and a blue-blood FBS program. Middlebury’s Thomas Perry has proven he deserves to be here.
While he is undersized at 6-foot-2 and just 31-inch arms, Perry plays with natural leverage and possesses a ton of fluidity in his knees and hips to get underneath the man across from him consistently.
And to make matters even better, Perry could be seen after practice on the outdoor field by himself working on his 40-yard dash get-off. He’s taking advantage and making the most of every opportunity given to him this week.
Don’t be shocked if he gets a combine invite after his week in Frisco.
The best of the rest
Lambert-Smith was not the only wide receiver who stood out. Maryland’s Kaden Prather displayed soft hands and excellent movement skills at 6-foot-3. He’s going to present a team with some alignment versatility to be able to play X, Z, and slot at the next level.
Colorado’s Will Sheppard made two outstanding catches as well, including a one-handed stab in the back of the endzone in redzone drills. He’s had a stellar week along with Jimmie Horn Jr. and LaJohntay Wester.
Cincinnati’s John Williams continues to play well along the offensive trenches, and BYU edge rusher Tyler Batty flashed some impressive flexibility to attack the outside shoulder at 6-foot-5 and 276 pounds.
Also mentioned in yesterday’s article, North Dakota State quarterback Cam Miller made a couple more nice anticipation throws into tight windows, including one that had me and the group I was standing with all turn our heads.
We’ve got one practice left to go.