Top Performers from Outside of the Senior Bowl

We have covered all of the performers from the Senior Bowl at great length. Shane P Hallam, however, did cover the other all-star games.

Today, I will look at the top performers from the other four All-Star games during this cycle.

Top Performers from Outside of the Senior Bowl

SHRINE BOWL

The offense was not on display during this year’s Shrine Bowl. The only real standout was Arizona State RB Xazavian Valladay. The former Wyoming ball carrier had 76 yards on 13 attempts.

However, the pass rushers were on full display in Vegas. Eastern Michigan’s Jose Ramirez had four tackles and a sack. BJ Thompson (EDGE/Stephen F. Austin) recorded four tackles and 1.5 sacks. Former TCU and current Nebraska edger rusher Ochaun Mathis added two sacks.

Nehemiah Shelton (CB/San Jose State) had two passes defended and a pick in the Shrine. He also had a PBU in the Hula Bowl. Ball State corner Nic Jones also added an interception and two PBUs.

NFLPA BOWL

East Carolina QB Holton Ahlers double-dipped on the All-Star circuit and won the MVP in both. He was 9/12 189 yards and a TD in the NFLPA game. He was 10/10 for 57 yards and a score in the Hula Bowl. 

Boise State DL Scott Matlock had a dominant week of practice at the NFLPA Bowl and then had three tackles and a sack in the game. He was then called up to the Shrine Bowl.

I have long been a fan of Southern Miss WR Jason Brownlee. So, it was great to see him stand out in practice and then the game. Brownlee caught three passes for 78 yards. I would like to have seen better ball security on his long catch-and-run. Oklahoma State safety Jason Taylor II ran him down and forced a fumble.

HULA BOWL

BYU RB Christopher Brooks was a standout for me at the Hula Bowl. Brooks had 17 touches for 101 yards in the game.

Two defensive performers stood out to me. Middle Tennessee edge rusher Jordan Ferguson was a stud in the Hawaii Bowl and continued in the Hula. Ferguson had five tackles, 2.5 TFL, a sack, and a forced fumble. DJ Coleman (EDGE/Missouri), a transfer up from FCS Jacksonville State, added I’ve stops, 1.5 sacks, and also forced a fumble.

TROPICAL BOWL

I heard several glowing compliments about New Haven QB Connor Degenhardt sitting in the stands at the Senior Bowl. Degenhardt completed 12/20 passes for 193 yards and two scores. He also threw a pick. Degenhardt could find a way into a camp this year.

Often forgotten opposite Andrei Iosivas, Princeton WR Dylan Classi was highly productive this year. He caught five passes for 117 yards in the Tropical Bowl.

My updated position rankings and big board will be out soon.