Practice sessions at college football all-star games are just as, if not, more important than the game. At the East-West Shrine Bowl practices, there have been quite a few guys out here making a name for themselves. There’s no shortage of new players on my radar, some performances have been outright dominant.
I always find the all-star game and combine process intriguing and exciting. Relative unknowns can stamp their name on every big board, while consensus top 100 players fall off a proverbial cliff. It makes sense, these young men are facing off against unfamiliar foes, who just so happen to be some of the premier talent from all over the country. When you go to an environment like the Senior Bowl or Shrine Bowl, you are seeing how well you react to NFL coaching. Oh yeah and the eyes of NFL front offices and coaches are focused squarely on them…. No pressure or anything.
Matthew Butler
Defensive Tackle
Tennessee
6’3 299 lbs 2021 Stats: 47 Tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 5 Sacks
Let’s just get this one out of the way now. Matthew Butler may be my newest draft crush, it’s a long list. He has looked like a man amongst boys in one on one drills and live reps. He has been overpowering guys with his stout frame, strong hands and surprising quick twitch.
He comes from the SEC and put up respectable numbers (47 tackles, 5 sacks, 8.5 TFL). Going up against some of the best offensive lineman in the nation and producing consistently is a feather in his cap.
He has shown excellent burst off the line of scrimmage, consistently beating potential blockers to the spot. He maintains excellent leverage, staying low, punching hard and gaining inside control. His dominance has frustrated opponents, causing them to overreach on their blocks and end up on their faces as Butler penetrated the line of scrimmage.
As you can see in the video, he is a bit over aggressive when he commits to pass rushing. He has left his gap wide open in favor of getting after the quarterback and it’s caused a few plays to go right by him. If he is able to clean up some gap discipline issues he could be a really nice value pick in the later rounds.
Jack Sanborn
Linebacker
Wisconsin
6’2 239 lbs
2021 Stats: 89 Tackles, 16 TFLs, 5 Sacks
The Wisconsin linebacker came into the East-West Shrine Bowl with something to prove. The big 240 lb run stuffing linebackers are being fazed out of the NFL game as more teams opt for converted safety type of players. Sanborn may look the part of the former, but don’t sleep on how dynamic this young man is.
A four year contributor and three year starter for the Badgers, Sanborn has been a stat machine. He finished his collegiate career with 216 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 4 interceptions. Wisconsin has been among the elite defenses in the nation with Sanborn patrolling the middle.
On day two of practice, Sanborn flexed his coverage ability. When matched up against tight ends in coverage he more than held his own. He was giving lineman fits as he stacked and shed his way to plenty of tackles against opposing running backs. Anytime Sanborn was on the field he showed excellent generalship, confirming his status as a natural leader and intelligent ball player.
While Sanborn comes with some athletic limitations, his instincts and aggression will help him overcome those deficiencies. An NFL strength and conditioning regiment can help maximize the gifts he has. His college career and week of practice gives me no doubts that he can put the work in to be the best version of himself as an athlete.
Off ball linebacker is extremely talented this year so Sanborn has seemingly gotten lost in the shuffle. After watching him at the Shrine Bowl, I have him firmly entrenched as a top five off ball linebacker in his class.
Jerreth Sterns
Wide Receiver
Western Kentucky
5’9 195 lbs
2021 Stats: 150 catches, 1,901 yards, 17 TDs
Jerreth Sterns may be diminutive in size, but he sure knows how to make big time plays. Bailey Zappe’s favorite target in his record setting season, Sterns put up monster numbers in his 2021 campaign. Totaling a whopping 1,902 yards and 17 scores on 150 catches; Sterns had some cache before arriving in Las Vegas for the Shrine Bowl.
Sterns has looked like the best receiver at the Shrine Bowl this week. That is saying a lot with standout performances by UCLA’s Kyle Phillips and University of Miami’s Charleston Rambo. Sterns just looks to be a step ahead of his competition.
He is running crisp routes, has deceptive speed, and goes up strong on every 50/50 ball. He has displayed solid hands and is getting separation with his burst and change of direction. For someone I expected very little of, he has made a fan out of me with his play this week.
Despite his standout performance at the Shrine Bowl; his small stature, short arms and lack of playing against big time competition will definitely give pause to evaluators at the next level. Especially because he is more shifty than he is “track fast”. Route running and catching ability can cover up a lot of athletic limitations though, there’s always a place in the league for sure handed and polished pass catchers.
He was in the discussion of being a late day 3 pick or priority undrafted free agent before The Shrine Bowl. I think he has now all but secured his name getting called during the NFL Draft. He’s obviously not a product of a system and a prolific quarterback. This kid has chops.