First TD Bets — Wild Card Monday Slate
Alex Christenson
We have arrived to prospect season, folks!
The 100th edition of the East-West Shrine Bowl is here, and with its growing popularity, the list of star players has reached new heights. This year, the offensive and defensive rosters are packed with talent, giving these athletes a prime opportunity to showcase their skills in front of NFL coaches. Atlanta Falcons Special Teams Coordinator Marquice Williams will coach the East team, while New York Giants Defensive Coordinator Shane Bowen will lead the West team. After three days of practice, the game will kick off Thursday at 8 p.m. ET, airing on NFL Network.
For fantasy managers, it’s important to pay attention to reports and performances from the week’s practices. These all-star formats allow players to shine individually, often independent of the team dynamics they were previously a part of. This can lead to significant changes in how they’re perceived – either for better or worse. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top names to watch this year.
2025 East-West Shrine Bowl Players to Watch
Wide Receiver
Nick Nash, WR, San Jose State
Nick Nash is coming off a standout season, recording 104 receptions for 1,382 receiving yards, which led the Mountain West and ranked second nationally. With a strong, physical frame, Nash is versatile and capable of playing inside and outside. He’s a smooth route-runner with the ability to create separation. This week, he’ll look to highlight his separation skills in one-on-one drills while proving himself as a reliable target, even against tougher competition.
Ricky White III, WR, UNLV
Ricky White III’s journey has been turbulent, but his resume remains impressive. As a junior, he led the Mountain West with 1,483 receiving yards, though his production dipped in 2024 with just 1,042 yards. White is a physical receiver with solid route-running skills, allowing him to consistently beat man coverage. However, he has struggled with drops at times, and this will likely be an area he focuses on improving at the Shrine Bowl.
Ja’Corey Brooks, WR, Louisville
Ja’Corey Brooks faced his share of adversity during his college career but finished strong, totaling over 1,000 yards and 9 touchdowns as a senior. With a long, athletic frame and impressive stride length, he excels on deep routes. His strong release allows him to win at all levels, and his combination of soft, yet strong hands makes him a reliable target. This week, he’ll have the chance to showcase all of these traits in an all-star setting.
Will Sheppard, WR, Colorado
Will Sheppard may not have always been a headline-grabbing player, but he’s quietly accumulated over 2,300 receiving yards throughout his career. A key figure in the Vanderbilt offense, he demonstrated a natural ability to stretch the field and make big plays consistently. However, his transfer to Colorado moved him out of the spotlight. Standing 6-foot-3, Sheppard is a tough matchup on the perimeter with his ability to high-point the ball. That said, he’s not the most technically refined player in this class and has struggled with drops. Sheppard will look to showcase his talents at the Shrine Bowl away from the shadow of teammate Travis Hunter.
Other Names to Watch
- Sam Brown, Miami
- Jacolby George, Miami
- Traeshon Holden, Oregon
- Jimmy Horn, Colorado
- KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Auburn
- Dominic Lovett, Georgia
- Jackson Meeks, Syracuse
- Konata Mumpfield, Pittsburgh
- Isaiah Neyor, Nebraska
- Kaden Prather, Maryland
- Dont’e Thornton Jr., Tennessee
- Theo Wease Jr., Missouri
- Antwane Wells Jr., Ole Miss
- LaJohntay Wester, Colorado
Tight End
Oronde Gadsden, TE, Syracuse
Oronde Gadsden began his career as a wide receiver, posting 900 yards and 7 touchdowns as a sophomore. After missing his entire junior season due to a Lisfranc injury, he returned and switched to tight end, producing 934 yards and 7 touchdowns. Though he has a slender frame for the position, his background as a wide receiver gives him excellent receiving skills. The biggest question for Gadsden will be whether his frame can hold up as a blocker, as players with this “tweener” build often struggle to carve out a role at the NFL level.
Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa
At one point, Luke Lachey was considered one of the top prospects in this class. He had a strong sophomore season, racking up 398 yards and 4 touchdowns. However, after suffering an ankle injury in his junior year, he failed to return to his pre-injury form. Lachey has the prototypical NFL size and moves fluidly within his routes. At the catch point, he excels at using his body to create separation and shows reliable hands. He’s also a tenacious blocker in the run game, offering significant value no matter the play. This week, Lachey will aim to prove to NFL teams that he’s fully recovered and ready to be an every-down player.
Other Names to Watch
- Jalin Conyers, Texas Tech
- Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
- Rivaldo Fairweather, Auburn
- Caden Prieskorn, Ole Miss
- Carter Runyon, Towson
- Ben Yurosek, Georgia
Running Back
Tahj Brooks, RB, Texas Tech
Tahj Brooks is one of the most underrated running backs in this class. He’s coming off two consecutive 1,500-plus-yard rushing seasons, with 17 rushing touchdowns this year – third-most in the Big 12. Brooks is a powerful runner with a surprising burst of quickness and solid receiving ability. He projects as a potential workhorse back at the NFL level, and this week, he’ll have the opportunity to showcase his elusiveness.
Rocket Sanders, RB, South Carolina
Rocket Sanders burst onto the scene, recording over 1,700 scrimmage yards for the Arkansas Razorbacks as a sophomore. However, injuries derailed his following season, leading to the rise of Ja’Quinden Jackson and ultimately Sanders’ transfer to South Carolina. This year, he bounced back with over 1,100 scrimmage yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns. Sanders is a big-bodied back with solid hands in the passing game, and he could be a three-down player if given the opportunity. Known for his physical running style, this week he’ll have the chance to showcase his elusiveness and pass-catching ability – traits that are above-average for a player of his build.
Other Names to Watch
- Jaydon Blue, Texas
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Arizona
- Ja’Quinden Jackson, Arkansas
- Montrell Johnson Jr., Florida
- Corey Kiner, Cincinnati
- Phil Mafah, Clemson
Quarterback
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
As one of the top quarterback prospects in the class, all eyes will be on Shedeur Sanders this week. While it won’t make or break his draft stock, a strong performance could boost his chances of becoming the top pick in April. Sanders has shown steady improvement each year, culminating in a standout 2024 season with 4,134 passing yards and 37 touchdowns and completing 74% of his passes despite playing behind a less-than-ideal offensive line. It will be interesting to see if he plays in the game or focuses solely on using practice and one-on-one sessions with coaches to elevate his draft stock.
Kyle McCord, QB, Syracuse
After being overlooked at Ohio State, Kyle McCord found a new home at Syracuse, where he went on to set a new ACC record with 4,779 passing yards (also led the NCAA). Standing at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, McCord has the durability to absorb contact in the pocket while maintaining accuracy. Consistency has been a question mark, but this week, he’ll have the opportunity to showcase all of his traits – mainly his accuracy and ball placement in drills. With a strong performance, McCord could see his stock rise in what is considered a weaker quarterback class.
Other Names to Watch
- Max Brosmer, Minnesota
- Brady Cook, Missouri
- Cam Miller, North Dakota State
- Payton Thorne, Auburn
