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2026 East-West Shrine Bowl Preview

2026 East-West Shrine Bowl Preview NFL Prospects 2025 NFL Draft dynasty sleepers rookie draft


Long looked upon as the lesser of the College All-Star games, the East-West Shrine Bowl has nonetheless played host to scores of dynasty-relevant players. Players such as Brett Favre, Steve Smith, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Brock Purdy have taken the field in this charity contest on their way to NFL careers. Last year’s game featured numerous players who made an early impact in their NFL careers.

Demond Claiborne Photo by David JensenIcon Sportswire

Jacory Crosky-Merritt was the MVP of the game with 11 carries for 97 yards and a pair of scores. Oronde Gadsden Jr, Shedeur Sanders, and others made some noise during the interviews and practices leading up to the game. This year will once again feature a number of talented players taking the field in the name of charity. This article will highlight some of the bigger fantasy names, giving you a primer ahead of this year’s contest. Let us dive in and examine some of the players you should keep an eye on in the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl.

Quarterbacks | East-West Shrine Bowl Preview

Cade Klubnik | QB | Clemson | 6’2” | 210 lbs

Of the QBs playing at the 2026 Shrine Bowl, Cade Klubnik is the most recognizable to the dynasty community. Once looked upon as a devy darling, the former 5-Star prospect entered the college ranks as the No. 2-ranked QB in his class. Entering the 2025 season, Klubnik looked to be a riser within the class after leading the Tigers to the 2024 ACC Championship and a spot in the College Football Playoffs. But fate had other plans. The Tigers struggled in his senior year, finishing with a 7-6 record, the program’s worst season since 2010.

His 2025 team struggles aside, Klubnik is still an interesting prospect. He fits the traditional Bill Parcells profile. He is a 3-year starter, senior college graduate, with a 64% completion percentage and a 2-1 TD to Int ratio. Klubnik also possesses some deceptive athleticism, having run for 878 yards over his collegiate career. In a class that is thin at the QB position, Cade Klubnik could claw his way back into the conversation for teams with a dominant Shrine Bowl performance. He is one of the players with the most on the line in this year’s game. But, he has the talent to shine, just check out some of his tape above from the Nerd’s film room. Early reports out of Shrine Bowl practices have been encouraging. Check out his early week throwing session below and keep an eye on the game this coming week.

Miller Moss | QB | Louisville | 6’2” | 210 lbs.

Miller Moss is a super senior who spent the first four years of his collegiate career at USC. The former 4-star recruit was seeking to end his career on a high note after losing his spot with the Trojans. But before we move on to how he developed, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention his first collegiate start in the Holiday Bowl. For those who don’t remember, Heisman trophy winner Caleb Williams decided to sit out the team’s Bowl game. In stepped Miller Moss for his first college football start, and he proceeded to throw for 372 yards and 6 TDs! Little did he know that his first start would be his best at USC. He eventually transferred to Louisville, and while the stats may not have ended up as pretty as he would have liked, he did manage to guide the Cardinals to a 9-4 record and a dramatic win in the Boca Raton Bowl. His highlight moment of the season was throwing for 248 and a pair of scores with 0 turnovers in the Cardinals’ 24-21 upset of the Miami Hurricanes.

Moss will most likely be seen as a backup at the next level. He has some decent pocket skills and is an accurate distributor of the ball. He isn’t the most athletic of quarterbacks, which would limit his upside if he even does get into an NFL lineup. Look for him to be a Day 3 selection in the Draft later this spring.

Jalon Daniels | QB | Kansas | 6’0” | 220 lbs.

Jalon Daniels is a rare find in today’s college football landscape. As a COVID-era super senior, he spent 6 seasons in Lawrence. Injuries plagued his time in the college ranks as he dealt with back and shoulder issues. Despite his history, he has managed to stay relatively healthy for the past two years. Passing numbers were down across the NCAA this past season, and Daniels was no different. He threw for 2,537 yards with a respectable 22-7 TD to Int ratio.

Daniels isn’t the type of prospect who will be drafted as a starter. However, he does bring some nice athleticism to the table, putting up over 400 rushing yards in half of his seasons with the Jayhawks. He will likely be a Day 3 or priority UDFA to a squad looking for an athletic backup QB. He also doesn’t lack for overall arm talent as the video above from this week’s practice shows.

Running backs | East-West Shrine Bowl Preview

Demond Claiborne | RB | Wake Forest | 5’10” | 187 lbs.

This is one of the bigger names at the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl among the dynasty community. The dynamic back was a two-time All-ACC selection, being named 3rd team as a junior before ending his career as the 2nd team all-conference RB in 2025. He finished his career with 2,599 rushing yards and 26 scores.

In addition to being an accomplished runner, Claiborne is an excellent weapon in the passing game, bringing in 51 combined passes over the last 2 years. Despite his smaller stature, he has also demonstrated a nose for the endzone, taking 21 carries to the house over the last couple of seasons. Claiborne has been showing his hands during Shrine Bowl practices this week. Just check out this amazing catch below.

Demond Claiborne will have the benefit of entering the NFL in a really down RB class. He is well within the top 10 RBs in this class for both me and many of the scouts who rank the class. I expect him to go sometime early on Day 3 of the Draft. He would be a very nice fit with a big power RB. Pairing him with a player like Jacory Croskey-Merritt in D.C. could pay dividends.

Roman Hemby | RB | Indiana | 6’0” | 208 lbs.

Roman Hemby is another really interesting RB playing in the 2026 Shrine Bowl. The super senior began his career in his home state of MD, where he played for the Terps in four different seasons. He never managed to crack the 1,000-yard mark while at College Park, but he did put up some respectable numbers, including multiple seasons where he put up 1,000 total yards. Then this past season, he made the best decision of his career and transferred to Indiana. While playing for the National Champion Hoosiers, he put up his first 1,000-yard season and helped Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza secure the first National Championship in school history.

Hemby is a jack-of-all-trades type of RB. I don’t know that he does anything off the charts, but he does everything really well. He can handle the load, run between the tackles and outside, plus do a solid job in the passing game. Just look at his monster three-year stretch at MD, where he had 30 or more catches every season.

Hemby is likely a Day 3 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. But, with his well-rounded skill set, he has a chance to land in a good spot where a team plans to use him. Think something along the lines of Woody Marks. He would be really interested in Arizona, where he could potentially pair with a big bruising Trey Benson.

Chip Trayanum | RB | Toledo | 5’11” | 227 lbs.

This is truly a unique prospect. This young man has transferred to 4 different schools over a 6 year span. He has played linebacker and running back, seemingly switching schools as often as he did positions. Starting at these two positions, RB and LB, he is a physical player. In 2025, he finally got a full shot at a starting RB spot, and he flourished for the Toledo Rockets. He nearly doubled his career rushing yards, putting up 1,015 yards and 12 scores, earning first-team All-MAC along the way.

It might not trigger your fantasy radar, but Trayanum is an excellent pass blocker. As a former linebacker, he is a natural matchup for a blitzing defender. This will endear him to NFL coaches who value players they can trust to protect the QB and make plays. This trait has stood out immediately during this week’s practice at the Shrine Bowl. I believe that Chip Trayanum could have a chance to be a late-round pick, and these days, if he finds the right spot, he could make some fantasy noise as a power back. He would be an excellent complement to a smaller starting RB like Bucky Irving.

Robert Henry Jr. | RB | UTSA | 5’9” | 209 lbs.

Robert Henry Jr. is one of my favorite sleepers at this year’s Shrine Bowl. This playmaking RB enjoyed a nice career at UTSA. As a starter, the last two seasons, he has been a mainstay in the Roadrunners’ offensive scheme. He is lightning quick and extremely fluid in and out of his cuts. Built low to the ground at only 5’9”, he is able to take on a much more physical load than his size would indicate. This past season, he put up his first 1,000-yard rushing season.

Henry is a very shifty player. He is efficient with the ball in his hands. When you combine his speed with his excellent contact balance, you have a runner that defensive coaches must take note of. Henry helped lead the Roadrunners to their 5th consecutive bowl game, where they beat Florida International by a whopping 57-20 score. Henry garnered 1st Team All-AAC honors and declared for the NFL draft. He has made an immediate impression at Shrine Bowl practices, highlighting his elusive style and great contact balance.

Henry has been invited to the NFL Combine this coming spring. Depending on how he performs at the Shrine Bowl and in the Combine, he has a chance to improve his draft stock. In a class as thin as this one, he has a legitimate chance to be taken between the 5th and 7th rounds. Keep your eye on Robert Henry Jr.; I will be as one of his staunch supporters.

Wide Receivers | East-West Shrine Bowl Preview

Skyler Bell | WR | UConn | 6’0” | 185 lbs.

Skyler Bell is quite possibly the best dynasty prospect at the 2026 Shrine Bowl. The UConn standout was quietly one of the top WRs in the entire nation this past season. He finished as the 2nd leading receiver in all of FBS last year with 1,278 yards. He paced the Huskies to a 9-4 record, becoming the program’s first-ever consensus 1st Team All-American in the process.

It really cracked me up when I began watching tape on Skyler Bell. As I watched his film, I was reminded of former University of Maryland WR Stefon Diggs. I remember watching years ago when Diggs roasted Penn State for the Terps’ first win at Beaver Stadium since joining the Big 10. The more I watched, I decided to search for the two players together. As it turns out, Skyler Bell really respects the current Patriots star and has attempted to model his game after Diggs.

Bell has made a definite impression at Shrine Bowl practices. He has been one of the most explosive and consistent receivers in Dallas. I believe that Bell has the skill and production to be a 3rd Round pick in the NFL Draft. This class has a decent amount of good pass catchers, but Bell should be grouped within the upper ranks of the draftable prospects. It will be interesting to see how fast he runs at the upcoming NFL Combine. Between the Shrine Bowl and the Combine, he could easily raise his draft profile. He could certainly make an impression on one of the league coaches at the Shrine Bowl. Keep your eyes on this fantastic playmaker.

Malik Benson | WR | Oregon | 6’1” | 195 lbs.

Malik Benson is one of the most explosive players at the Shrine Bowl. This speed merchant helped the Oregon Ducks secure a spot in the College Football Playoff. Fascinating enough, the Ducks were Benson’s 3rd different team over the last 3 years. He initially began at Alabama before going to Florida State and eventually landing with the Ducks. Benson had one of the highest yards per catch averages in the Big 10 with a whopping 16.7 average. He never managed to break the 1,000-yard mark, but he got better each season at Oregon. His speed will get him drafted at the next level.

When I watch Benson play, I see a player that reminds me of a thicker Darnell Mooney. Both players rely on their speed and quickness to get open deep down the field. Benson is a bit more physical after the catch, but he has been a less consistent prospect with only one truly productive season in the FBS ranks.

Like Darnell Mooney, Malik Benson will likely be a Day 3 pick. He may not have the production to go in the first 3 rounds of the draft, but he absolutely has the speed that will have him taken sometime on Day 3, with the potential to be taken quite early on. His versatility to play as both a Z receiver and a return specialist will give him a legitimate shot at making an early impact in the NFL. Keep an eye on this intriguing prospect.

Chase Roberts | WR | BYU | 6’4” | 210 lbs.

Chase Roberts is the type of player who can absolutely raise his draft stock at the Shrine Bowl and Combine. This prospect from BYU has the look of a dominant X receiver at the next level. Tall and well-built, he cuts an imposing image across from defensive backs. He never cracked the 1,000-yard mark, but he did put up back-to-back seasons of over 800 yards.

Roberts is a difficult player to comp at the next level. You will find a ton of people online comparing him to Puka Nacua due to their time at BYU. But that isn’t what I see. When I watch Roberts play receiver, he reminds me quite a bit of current Colts FA Alec Pierce. I believe that Roberts will hear his name called on Day 3 of the upcoming NFL Draft. He simply has too much talent not to be selected by an NFL team. Perhaps it will be a team that is scouting him at the Shrine Bowl. I think he could be a really nice fit with the Jets or the Bills since both squads are looking for a player to dominate on the outside and take some of the pressure off of their veteran playmakers. The early returns at the Shrine Bowl have been good, with Roberts making some strong plays. Keep your other eye on this one.

Michael Wortham | WR | Montana | 5’9” | 177 lbs.

One of the best parts about the college football all-star game is getting the opportunity to see small school stars get a chance to play against Power 5 school talent. Michael Wortham is one of those small school standouts. The Montana Grizzlies star has been one of the better playmakers in the FCS ranks. He is lightning in a bottle. He will be a natural slot at the next level with his speed-of-light cuts off the line and excellent change of direction ability. Wortham had a true breakout campaign in 2025, putting up 1,224 receiving yards and 10 scores. An interesting part of his game is that despite the fact that he is only listed at 177 lbs, he put up some nice rushing yards as well. In 2025, he ran for 345 yards and 7 scores!

Wortham reminds me of a small school Wan’Dale Robinson. He will be a solid slot player at the next level. His quickness creates a ton of separation off the line of scrimmage. He would be an excellent complement to a player like Drake London, who clears out a ton of space underneath and between the hashes. Wortham has been making an early impression on coaches and scouts at the Shrine Bowl. He will absolutely be taken in the NFL Draft sometime on Day 3. Just how well he does at the Shrine Bowl will likely determine just how high he will go.

Tight End | East-West Shrine Bowl Preview

Jack Endries | TE | Texas | 6’4” | 240 lbs.

Jack Endries is one of the more well-regarded prospects at this year’s Shrine Bowl. The University of Texas product is draft expert Mel Kiper’s no. 3 ranked TE. The talented Junior surprisingly decided to enter the Draft early despite having a down year in 2025, his only year with the Longhorns. Prior to 2025, he was a member of the California Golden Bears, where he actually led the team in receiving during his Sophomore campaign. You can see his numbers below.

Endries is a bit undersized at around 240 lbs, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in athleticism. He is a real weapon in the passing game. As I mentioned above, he operated as the top receiver for Cal as just a Sophomore. He does an excellent job pressuring safeties on seam routes between the hashmarks and is a great option for his quarterback on underneath routes. He offers some position flexibility as well flashing ability from multiple different position alignments from the backfield to the slot and even in-line. Early reports out of the Shrine Bowl are that he is making a good impression on the coaching staff. Just check out the strong hands on the catch below. Plays like that will stick with his position coaches when they report back to their NFL staff. He could go as early as the 3rd round in the upcoming NFL draft.

Eli Raridon | TE | Notre Dame | 6’7” | 251 lbs.

Eli Raridon is another highly-touted prospect at this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl. The Notre Dame product has drawn some comparison to former Fighting Irish great Kyle Rudolph. He is big and physical, a true asset in both the running and passing game. His size allows him to better handle defensive players in the running game while also being a real problem for smaller defensive backs. He only has one real year of production with Notre Dame, but it was enough for him to be drawing some real interest ahead of this spring’s draft.

Raridon will certainly be selected in the upcoming draft. He has a chance to go as early as the 4th Round in my estimation. Given the right situation, he could be an asset for your dynasty squads. It will be interesting to see how fast he runs at the Combine. Early reports from Shrine Bowl practice have him actually looking quite fast in the passing game. Just check out the clip below.

You Can Be an All-Star by Donating!

This year’s East-West Shrine Game is no different than any other year. There will be plenty of players who grace the field and will be drafted to NFL squads during the 2026 NFL Draft. While this game has often been somewhat of an afterthought compared to the Senior Bowl, it is an excellent contest nonetheless. The Shrine Bowl not only has the honor of being the oldest college all-star game, but it also has the distinction of benefiting Shriners Hospitals.

East-West Shrine Bowl NFL Prospects 2025 NFL Draft dynasty sleepers rookie draft

As a Shriner myself, I would like to pitch our readers to consider donating to Shriners Hospitals. These facilities are 100% free to children and their families. There is no more noble cause than helping children in need. The fact that we can get some All-Star football on top of that is pretty special as well. Do yourself a favor and check out the latest installment of the East-West Shrine Game. You might just find the next great sleeper.

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🧠 East-West Shrine Bowl Preview FAQ

1) When is the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl game and how can I watch it?
A: The 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl is on January 27, 2026 and will be broadcast on NFL Network.

2) What is the East-West Shrine Bowl and why does it matter for dynasty fantasy football?
A: The East-West Shrine Bowl is a college all-star game week where NFL evaluators get extended practice time plus a game setting. For dynasty players, it’s one of the best spots to identify late risers, Day 3 values, and UDFA sleepers before rookie drafts.

3) Which quarterbacks should dynasty managers watch in the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl?
A: This preview spotlights Cade Klubnik, Miller Moss, and Jalon Daniels. Each has a different path to NFL value, but a strong week can lock in draft capital and set up long-term backup upside.

4) Which running backs could gain the most dynasty value at the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl?
A: This article highlights Demond Claiborne, Roman Hemby, Chip Trayanum, and Robert Henry Jr. Claiborne’s receiving ability and Henry’s burst are the kinds of traits that can pop in practices and raise draft stock quickly.

5) Which wide receivers are the best dynasty targets in the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl?
A: The preview calls out Skyler Bell as a potential headliner, plus upside options like Malik Benson, Chase Roberts, and small-school playmaker Michael Wortham. A clean week of separation and catch-point wins is often what pushes WRs up boards.

6) Which tight ends should dynasty managers track during the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl week?
A: Two key names in this preview are Jack Endries and Eli Raridon. Tight ends often climb with strong practice reps because scouts value route detail, hands, and blocking willingness, and both are positioned to help themselves with a good week.

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Luckiest man alive. Father, Husband, Son, Brother, and dynasty enthusiast. Ph.D in 20th Century U.S. History. Love researching and writing about things that interest me. Obviously love watching NFL and College football. Thoroughly enjoy sharing musings on dynasty football with all the readers of this amazing website. Follow me on twitter: @ReflipeWThenuz





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