The Shrine Game might not be the most prestigious game for draft capital prospects, but every year a few slip through the cracks and become fantasy relevant. Get ahead of the curve as a few of these prospects just might be players you roster and help you on Sundays.
Mason Fine, QB, North Texas
5’11” 190lbs
4 for 6/ 66 yards / 1 TD
A former 2-star composite recruit according to 247sports. Fine was the first and only to win Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year, posting 13,081 passing yards and 166 touchdown passes in his Oklahoma high school career. He’s undersized but possesses solid poise, arm talent and arm strength for the next level.
During the Shrine game, Fine proved to be one of the better quarterbacks, hitting Ohio State receiver Binjimen Victor on a 36-yard flea-flicker pass for a TD. He looked like one of the more comfortable and confident QBs on the field. Fine is more than likely a UDFA prospect but could have a David Blough type impact of given the opportunity at the next level.
James Morgan, QB, FIU
6’4” 213lbs
9/14 / 116 yards / 1 TD
Morgan is a former football and basketball player in high school who was considered a 4-star recruit by ESPN and 247Sports. He threw for 5,964 yards his final two seasons at Ashwaubenon High School. He produced 8,654 passing yards for 65 TDs to his 34 INTs, ending his collegiate career with a 128.8 QB rating. Morgan showed good arm strength with substantial accuracy and mechanics. He does have some issues with decision making when in pursuit and forces some unnecessary throws, but he does have NFL arm talent that is worth late-round consideration.
Tyler Huntley, QB, Utah
6’1” 205lbs
6/8 / 47 yards / 1 TD
Huntley was named the Gatorade Football Player of the Year in 2015. And his four years and Hallandale High School, he passed for 9053 yards in 106 touchdowns. Huntley held a 3-star rating by 247Sports with 14 offers. In 2019, he threw for 3,092 yards and 19 TDs to just four INTs. He also rushed for 290 yards and five rushing TDs. He has 1,146 rush yards and 16 rush TDs in his four collegiate seasons.
Huntley showed off his dynamic rushing ability during the East-West Shrine game, extending plays with his legs. He played with an edge, showing good competitiveness when under pressure. He did a solid job on short throws with good accuracy and footwork.
In this day and age, the NFL is looking for a quarterback who can extend plays and escape the pocket under pressure, Huntley might be in an exciting prospect late day three or as a UDFA.
Benny LeMay, RB, Charlotte
5’9” 215lbs
15 carries / 86 yards / 2 TDs
LeMay is a 3-star recruit and four-year varsity player who rushed for 4,059 yards and 74 TDs during his high school career. He produced 1,072 yards rushing with 9 TDs in 2019 while including 19 receptions for 242 yards and four TDs through the air.
LeMay showcased his ability at a high level during the Shrine game, rushing for 86 yards and two TDs, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. He possesses a thick frame with good lower body mass. He showed excellent power, hitting holes with authority, showing solid burst through rush lanes. LeMay could find his way into day three and, with opportunity, could be a legit fantasy option in PPR leagues.
Rico Dowdle, RB, South Carolina
6’0” 215lbs
6 carries / 50 yards / 1 catch / 2 yards
Dowdle held a 3-star rating from 247Sports as a recruit in 2016. He held only seven offers after rushing for 2,545 yards and 51 TDs in high school. Dowdle looked like a possible star in the making during his freshman year with 764 yards and 6 TDs. Unfortunately, he never rushed for more than 700 yards and more than four TDs in his next three college seasons.
Dowdle was able to show off his explosiveness and speed during the Shrine Game. Had the burst to hit the perimeter and shift gears up the sideline. His vision and processing ability need to be quicker, but his athleticism will help him garner NFL interest. His college stats might not earn him draft capital, but his skill set could allow him to be a part of a professional roster.
Reggie Corbin, RB, Illinois
5’10 200lbs
5 carries / 34 yards / 1 catch / 5 yards
247Sports pegged Corbin as a 3-star prospect. He was a two-time first-team All-WCAC and a top rugby player for Gonzaga College High School. Corbin had a 1,000-yard season in 2018, the only one of his four years of college production.
During the Shrine game, Corbin looked like one of the best running backs on the field, even with his limited opportunity. He did an excellent job evading defenders with good lateral quickness and solid vision to create his own space and navigate his path. Corbin will most likely find himself as a UDFA but could prove to be a legit contributor to an NFL roster if a team gives him a shot.
James Robinson, RB, Illinois State
5’10” 220lbs 7 carries/ 80 yards / 1 TD / 2 catches / 56 yards
The 120th best RB in the 2016 recruiting class according to 247Sports composite rankings. Robinson was a 3-star prospect that held only two offers, Illinois State and Iowa. He produced an incredible 9,045 yards and 158 TDs in his high school career and rushed for 2,461 yards and 44 TDs in his last high school season. He also was a high-profile basketball player.
Once past all the name brand prospects, Robinson looked like one of the best players in the Shrine Game. He had a huge 63-yard TD with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter. He also proved himself as a reliable receiver out of the backfield.
The long breakaway TD might have shown him running away from defenders, but his play speed is not NFL-ready. He does have outstanding instincts with very good change of direction. He sees the field very well and understands how to use body gestures to manipulate the defender’s tackle angle. If there is a player that could prove to be a surprise Sunday producer, it’s Robinson.
Only one receiver? Yes, only one notable receiver this year.
Binjimen Victor, WR, Ohio State
6’4” 199lbs
2 catches / 50 yards / 1 TD
The former 4-star recruit was the 12 best receiver in the 2016 recruiting class and held an impressive 43 offers. During Victor’s Buckeye career, Victor never saw more than 550 total receiving yards and no more than 35 receptions. Also, he never posted more than 13% Dominator Rating in his four college seasons.
As much as this doesn’t seem like a compelling argument for Victor, he has the height/athleticism combo to be a difference-maker for an NFL team. During the Shrine game, he looked like the best receiver on the field, catching an impressive high-point snag for a 36-yard TD. If there is a receiver from this game that could see a rise is draft capital, it’s Victor.
Giovanni Ricci, TE, Western Michigan
6’3” 240lbs
2 catches / 9 yards
Ricci is a former high school quarterback that was recruited as a 2-star receiver. Redshirted his freshman season in 2015 and played primarily on special teams in 2016, positioned at receiver his redshirt sophomore year until suffering a season-ending injury. In 2018, he moved from receiver to tight end, flourishing the next two seasons with 1,034 yards and 11 TDs.
Ricci didn’t see much opportunity during the Shrine game, but on the field, you could see a fluid mover who can navigate the seam effortlessly and exploit the soft spots on coverage. Ricci might not hear his name until late day three, but he has some potential as a solid developmental prospect.
Mitchell Wilcox, TE, USF
6’5” 245lbs 1 catch/ 6 yards
In the 2015 recruiting class, Wilcox held a 3-star rating with only four offers. He was pegged as the 42nd-best tight end in the class according to 247Sports. Wilcox produced 1,326 yards and 11 TDs in his four years at USF. Not to mention he returned kicks in 2016.
Wilcox is a navigator in space, finding the soft spots in zone coverage and using a quick release to glide through the seam and get open in the second level. There were multiple times Wilcox was open during the Shrine game, but the ball never came his way. He’s not the strongest or most physical player, but he’s competitive and holds his own in routes and as a blocker. He could be a great day three addition to an NFL team.
Other Mentionable Prospects
Parker Houston, TE, San Diego State
John Hightower, WR, Boise State
Diondre Overton, WR, Clemson
Juwan Johnson, WR, Oregon
