The 2020 East-West Shrine Game will be played Saturday afternoon and below are just a few draft hopefuls that fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers might want to pay close attention to. We’ll have a game thread posted later today for those of you would like to discuss the annual all-star game. The game starts at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday and can be watched on the NFL Network. The game is being played again at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.
DT McTelvin Agim (Arkansas) 6’3” 300 – East #93
The former 4 star recruit has experience at defensive tackle and defensive end and has a high motor. He played in 47 games with 38 starts. Over the course of his Razorback career he totaled 140 tackles, 31 tackles for a loss, 14.5 sacks and 6 forced fumbles. Early reports coming from practices this week have him unblockable with Daniel Jeremiah saying, “He was the best player I saw today. He’s so explosive. They couldn’t block him in one-on-ones. He stands out. Every year, there’s a guy like that at this game that jumps out; he’s the guy this year. If you’re looking for a battlefront promotion guy (late invite to the Senior Bowl), that might be the guy.”
OG Daishawn Dixon (San Diego State) 6’4” 319 – West #79
Left guard could be a position of need and Dixon has three years of starting experience for the Aztecs. He has been a consistent fixture in the running game helping to lead the way for Rashaad Penny’s 2,248 yard season in 2017. He has good size and solid mobility and is probably a better run blocker than pass blocker right now. He was a second team ALL Mountain West selection this year.
S Myles Dorn (North Carolina) 6’1” 198 – East #31
Dorn was listed as a free safety for the Tarheels and has experience playing in the box as well. He was a three year starter and consistent performer and has NFL bloodlines. His father Torin played 6 years with the Raiders in the early 90’s. His career numbers include 240 tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss, 6 interceptions and 13 passes defensed. He likes to attack downhill, is a physical tackler and will stick his nose it the run game. He’s more smarts than speed so he might be more suited to play close to the line of scrimmage.
EDGE Alex Highsmith (Charlotte) 6’3” 244 – East #95
After 3 solid years Highsmith busted out in 2019 with 15 sacks. Not bad for a former walk on. He has a good first step, is a good tackler and has a high motor. He played primarily on the right side of the 49’ers 4 man fronts and can set the edge against the run. He had 47 tackles for a loss over his 4 years with 40 of those coming the past 2 years. As a pass rusher, he can win with speed or power and varies his pass rush moves to the inside and outside. Prior to playing Clemson this year Dabo Swinney had this to say, “He’s on all the ‘great player’ lists. I kept watching him and going, ‘Holy cow.’ He looks like Xavier Thomas. He’s physical, fast, disruptive. He’s causing sacks and tips. Really, really good football player. That No. 5 could play for anybody in the country.”
S/LB Patrick Nelson (SMU) 6’0” 216 – West #33
Nelson started at Illinois making 14 starts in 22 games before transferring prior to his junior season and then adding 21 starts in 22 games for the Mustangs. He is built like a safety but plays, and hits, like a linebacker. In his final season for SMU they played him near the line of scrimmage and he produced 17.5 tackles for a loss and 12.5 sacks. Yes that number is correct. His motor runs hot and he enjoys smashing into players no matter what size they are. He totaled 286 tackles in his career and he may fit that hybrid role that teams are looking for who can play the run and handle TE’s and RB’s in coverage.
WR Aaron Parker (Rhode Island) 6’2” 205 – East #80
When you look at the FCS players you want to see someone who dominates the competition and Parker fits that mold. The former Ram put up big numbers in the Colonial Athletic Conference with career numbers totaling 216 receptions, 3,460 yards and 30 touchdowns. Watch his highlights and you see him take several slants the distance and strong when high pointing the ball especially in the red zone. He’s played against better competition (Ohio U, Virginia Tech) and done well so it’ll be curious how he does against this competition.
OL Calvin Throckmorton (Oregon) 6’5” 316 – West #54
NFL teams love offensive lineman who can play multiple positions and Throckmorton is one of those guys. A four year starter for the Ducks he spent 2019 at right tackle but has also started games at left tackle, right guard and center in college. He had a streak of 27 games where he did not give up a sack and was a third team All-American (AP). He along with left guard Shane Lemieux each made 51 consecutive starts. Availability and flexibility will be key at the next level.
TE Dominick Wood-Anderson (Tennessee) 6’4” 259 – West #84
He’s the biggest TE in this game at nearly 260 pounds and has good athleticism. He started his career in junior college at Arizona Western where he helped the Matadors get to the 2017 NJCAA Championship game with 31 receptions for 258 yards and two touchdowns. He’ll line up all over the field and has good aggressiveness when lined up inline to block in the running game. He never was a big part of the Tennessee passing offense but had at least 3 receptions in three of his last 5 games finishing with 21 receptions for 268 yards and a touchdown.
