The 100th annual East-West Shrine Bowl is among the premier college all-star games on the NFL Draft circuit. Who are some offensive Shrine Bowl participants that Tennessee Titans fans should watch? The Titans control the draft with the first selection after losing to the Houston Texans in Week 18. Could a new general manager be hired in time for the Titans to send a contingent to the Metroplex?
Shrine Bowl Offensive Prospect Guide For Tennessee Titans Fans
Quarterback
Shedeur Sanders | Colorado
Sanders is a presumptive top-ten selection and one of the best quarterbacks in the draft class. Tennessee has also sent scouts to Boulder multiple times this season. Sanders surprisingly committed to the Shrine Bowl over the prestigious Senior Bowl and several other Colorado prospects. He has a chance to finish his college career in his hometown, so that could’ve been the draw. The Titans are armed with the first overall selection and will undoubtedly give him a healthy dose of interest. Other quarterbacks that they could be interested in are Kurtis Rourke of Indiana and Kyle McCord of Syracuse if they don’t take one early.
Running Back
Tahj Brooks | Texas Tech
Brooks is one of the underrated backs in the 2025 class. He was voraciously productive for the Red Raiders, posting consecutive 1,500-yard and double-digit touchdown seasons. The former Texas Tech star is listed at 5’10 “230, so he tends to be one of the bigger running backs in the class and runs like it. While he doesn’t have the home run speed, he does have enough athleticism to make defenders miss. Tennessee needs a big back to take the wear and tear from Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. Brooks would fit perfectly in that role. He will need a great week in his home state of Texas to stand out in a premier RB class.
Ja’Quinden Jackson | Arkansas
Jackson had a fascinating college career. He signed with Texas as a quarterback, transferred to Utah, became a running back, and spent 2024 in Arkansas. The former Razorbacks star didn’t take long to settle into the RB position as Jackson burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman in 2022. He has had consistent production over the past two seasons, going over 790 yards each time and scoring 22 touchdowns. Jackson is a bigger back at a listed 6’2 233, so Combine speed and agility testing will be key. As a former quarterback, his vision and instincts are top-notch. The Utah transfer could be in line to make a big jump during the offseason process and bears watching as a hammer back for the Titans.
Wide Receiver
Ja’Corey Brooks | Louisville
The former Cardinals product transferred to Louisville for his final season and thrived as the leading man in 2024. He posted over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns after playing a limited role at Alabama for three seasons. Brooks isn’t the fastest athlete and has dealt with injuries, so teams will need to study his medicals closely. He resembles a true “X” receiver in his play style. Tennessee could be watching as they need receivers badly to complement Calvin Ridley. He needs a monster Shrine Bowl to recover some lost stock and prove that he isn’t a one-hit wonder as the Titans watch him.
Tre Harris | Ole Miss
Harris is a big and physical receiver who transferred to Ole Miss before the 2023 season from Louisiana Tech. He has been a consistent producer for the last three seasons, posting over 900 yards each time. 2024 was his best statistical season, with over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns in just eight games. Harris missed several games this past season due to injury, and teams will be wary of his medical profile. While he isn’t a burner by any stretch, Tennessee could use him much like current Eagles receiver AJ Brown. He needs a big week to solidify his standing as a top-ten receiver in the class.
Nick Nash | San Jose State
Nash earned the Holy Grail that all receivers aspire to as he won the Triple Crown, much like Ja’Marr Chase did in the NFL. He should have won the Biletnikoff Award, but Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter took it home to Boulder. The former San Jose State product began his college career as a quarterback before moving to receiver in 2022. It’s pretty remarkable how far he’s come at the position in three seasons. He has the physical traits to be a good WR2 at the next level. Being a former quarterback, he can see the field like one and knows how to get open. Nash is a smooth athlete with plenty of speed and instincts. Tennessee needs depth in the receiver room, and it wouldn’t hurt to have Nash on the roster for a Nick Westbrook-Ihkine-type role.
Dont’e Thornton | Tennessee
Could the Titans keep Thornton instate for his pro career? He presents an intriguing size/speed combination, but the production hasn’t caught up with his physical traits. Thornton is listed at 6’5 “214”, so the standout can be a true “X” type of receiver. He does need to sharpen his route running ability and overall skill set, but the gifts are there. He needs a solid week of practices in the Metroplex to convince teams that he’s not just a deep threat. PFF graded him as the 55th-best receiver in the country with an overall receiving grade of 80.8.
Juice Wells | Ole Miss
Wells is a three-time transfer. After beginning his career at FCS power turned FBS darling James Madison, he was productive with the Dukes and Gamecocks before transferring to Ole Miss for his final season. However, his last two seasons were a case of diminishing returns as the competition around him ramped up. All is not lost for him as he gets another chance to display his physical skills in front of scouts at Shrine. Tennessee has a tremendous need for receivers, and Wells could fit the bill if he can pass his medical testing. He’s not the fastest burner but can outmuscle defensive backs.
Ricky White | UNLV
White needs a bounce-back offseason draft process after struggling to attain the heights of his junior season. He is a good enough athlete to test well during the Combine. The famed Go-Go offense isn’t as complex as other systems but was artistically beautiful. The Runnin’ Rebels did have some bouts of quarterback inconsistency this season, which could explain the downturn in White’s production. White can quiet the doubters at the Shrine Bowl with much better quarterback play. White is talented enough and is a proven producer to earn an early Day 3 draft selection. The Titans need plenty of receiver help behind star Calvin Ridley.
Offensive Tackle
Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson | Florida
Crenshaw-Dickson transferred to Florida from San Diego State for his final collegiate season. He played on the right side at Florida but has experience on the left side for the Aztecs. Teams will love his positional and scheme versatility. Although he isn’t the most athletic at his position, Shrine Week will prove plenty about his game against better pass rushers during the practices. BCD’s calling cards are his length and power to ward off defenders. Perhaps he would be better suited inside at guard for the next level. Tennessee desperately needs to address its right tackle problem, and the former Gator could be a middle-round solution. He’s experienced, logging over 3,000 snaps over his career, and his last college season was his best. Crenshaw-Dickson earned an overall grade of 77.7 and a pass-blocking grade of 81.6.
Main Photo: [Ron Chenoy] – USA Today Sports
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