The path to the NFL draft starts when postseason all-star games begin, the 90-day sprint towards the first round of the selection process each year. The draft may start in Mobile with the Panini Senior Bowl, but the East-West Shrine Bowl will get the first opportunity to put future NFL stars on display for scouts, coaches, executives, and all 32 teams to continue tracking.
The East-West Shrine Bowl began practicing at The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco over the weekend, offering scouts, media members, and draft fans alike the first chance to see over 100 draft prospects. Key players can be found in every round of the draft, making events such as the Shrine Bowl essential for NFL teams.
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With kickoff for this year’s game a little over 24 hours away, we’re looking at ten players to watch.
Seydou Traore, TE, Mississippi State
Oct 18, 2025; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs tight end Seydou Traore (8) runs with the ball against the Florida Gators during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
A former soccer player, Traore had 35 catches, 369 yards, and five touchdowns in his final season.
Eric Gentry, LB, USC
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Michigan Wolverines tight end Marlin Klein (17) hangs on to the ball after a complete pass as he is stopped by USC Trojans linebacker Eric Gentry (18) in the second half at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
A Philadelphia native, the potential hybrid linebacker could flourish in a big safety role for the Eagles. In his four-year career (1 season at Arizona State and 3 seasons at USC), Gentry logged 195 tackles, including 19.5 for loss (with 6 sacks), 10 PBUs, 3 QB hurries, 3 forced fumbles, 2 INTs, and 1 blocked kick while appearing in 39 games with 17 starts.
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Last season, Gentry was a candidate for the 2025 Butkus Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy.
Eli Raridon, TE, Notre Dame
Nov 15, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Eli Raridon (9) makes a catch against Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back Javon McIntyre (7) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Last season, Raridon started all 12 games and totaled 32 catches for 482 yards. He finished third on the team in both receptions and receiving yards, averaging 15.1 yards per catch. Raridon recorded a career-high seven receptions and 109 yards in a game against NC State and led the team with 97 receiving yards in the season opener at Miami.
Darrell Jackson, DT, Florida State
Nov 23, 2024; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Darrell Jackson Jr. (6) prepares for the snap during the first quarter against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images
Jackson Jr. logged 45 tackles and one sack during his final season, earning All-ACC honorable mention recognition. Jackson Jr. transferred twice, earning back-to-back All-ACC honorable mentions in 2024 and 2025.
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Harold Perkins, LB, LSU
Nov 8, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Louisiana State Tigers linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. (7) and defensive back A.J. Haulcy (13) tackle Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Germie Bernard (5) during the first quarter of the game at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images
The former five-star recruit was a freshman sensation for LSU. Perkins tore his ACL in 2024 but bounced back in 2025. He finished his career with 35 tackles for loss and 17 sacks, playing both on the edge and, most recently, as an off-ball linebacker for the Tigers.
Lander Barton, LB, Utah
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – NOVEMBER 22: Logan Fano #0 of the Utah Utes celebrates a stop with teammate Lander Barton #8 during the second half of their game against the Kansas State Wildcats at Rice-Eccles Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
At 6’5, 236 pounds, Barton has logged 127 total tackles, five pass breakups, 3.5 sacks, and three interceptions over the past three years.
Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama
Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama defensive back Domani Jackson (1) closes to make a tackle on Georgia wide receiver Dillon Bell (86) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News
A former five-star prospect, Jackson spent his first two collegiate seasons at USC before transferring to Alabama for his final two seasons with the Crimson Tide. In 2024, Jackson posted a career-high in tackles (51), pass breakups (7), and interceptions (2). In his final season, Jackson helped the Crimson Tide reach the College Football Playoffs while logging 38 tackles as a part of an Alabama secondary.
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SMU, S, Ahmaad Moses
Nov 1, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; SMU Mustangs safety Ahmaad Moses (3) intercepts a pass intended for Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Joshisa Trader (not pictured) during the second quarter at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
A 5-foot-10 safety, Moses was a two-time All-ACC selection, including first team honors, logging eight interceptions the past two seasons that were returned for touchdowns. Moses finished his career with 250 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks in his time at SMU.
Jager Burton, OL, Kentucky
Kentucky’s quarterback Zach Calzada (5) celebrates with teammate Jager Burton (62) scoring a touchdown against Toledo Saturday afternoon at Kroger Field. August 30, 2025
Burton, a 6-foot-4, 323-pound road grader from Lexington, Kentucky, moved to center in his final season. He started all 12 games, led the team with 158 blocks at the point of attack. He was named third-team All-Southeastern Conference.
Bauer Sharp, TE LSU
Nov 22, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers tight end Bauer Sharp (10) leaps for a first down against Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defensive back Avarion Cole (16) during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Sharp, 6 feet 4 inches, 251 pounds, is a former quarterback who transitioned to the tight end position.
Jaren Kanak, TE, Oklahoma
Oklahoma Sooners tight end Jaren Kanak (12) runs after a reception during a first-round College Football Playoff game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Friday, Dec. 19, 2025. Alabama won 34-24.
Kanak is a hybrid who could usher in a new era of tight end in Philadelphia. A Swiss Army Knife for the Sooners, Kanak’s snaps varied depending on the formation: in-line (265 snaps), flexed to the slot (222), out wide (39), and in the backfield (43) according to Pro Football Focus.
Texas, TE, Jack Endries
Oct 18, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Texas Longhorns tight end Jack Endries (88) is tackled by Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Ty Bryant (14) during the second quarter at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Endries was traded to Austin after spending the first two years of his career with California. This past season, he finished with 33 catches for 346 yards and three touchdowns.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: East-West Shrine Bowl: Ten players for the Eagles to watch
