East-West Shrine Game 2023: Highlights, Top Performers Who Boosted Draft Stock

Several 2023 NFL draft prospects got their chance to impress league scouts in this year's East-West Shrine game, which ended in a 12-3 win for the West All-Stars at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

While there weren't a ton of offensive fireworks, there were some notable performances. Michigan's Jake Moody scored all of the West team's points connecting on four field goals.

Much like the Senior Bowl, the game was coached by NFL staffs with the East team being led by Atlanta Falcons special teams coordinator Marquice Williams, and New England Patriots wide receivers and kick returners coach Troy Brown leading the West team.

As the score might indicate, it was a game in which several defensive players turned in strong performances while the offenses struggled. The two teams combined for just 427 total yards and four turnovers.

The quarterbacks struggled to make a positive impact on the game in general, and neither team completed 50 percent of its passes with six different passers seeing game action.

UCLA's Dorian Thompson-Robinson had some eye-opening plays despite a pedestrian stat line. He was 7-of-17 for 95 yards, but one of his completions included a dime that he threw while hanging tough in the pocket and taking a shot:

The 23-year-old also had an incompletion that traveled more than 60 yards in the air on a desperation Hail Mary:

NFL scouts aren't likely to care about the quarterback putting up numbers in an all-star game. After all, he has only worked with his receivers and the coaching staff for a week. Brock Purdy was three-of-seven for 17 yards in the 2022 Shrine Bowl.

However, Thompson-Robinson demonstrated some NFL qualities in the game that should have helped his draft stock.

Florida safety Trey Dean III made one of the most impactful plays of the game. He took home defensive MVP honors after picking off a pass in the red zone with the West team looking to score just before the half:

The pick was the biggest highlight, but it wasn't the only reason he took home the honor. He was all over the field and stood out in run support. He showed a knack for being in the right place at the right time, which should help him hear his name called sooner in April.

The Shrine Bowl often serves as a spotlight for some legitimate prospects from the FCS and lower-division ranks. BJ Thompson of Stephen F. Austin was a perfect example this season.

The ultra-athletic edge defender was a standout in practice and translated it to the game. He showed the kind of first step and bend that NFL teams are looking for on the outside in notching a sack:

Caleb Murphy was another one. The pass-rushing linebacker had 25.5 sacks at Division II Ferris State in 15 games and showed that he's going to be able to translate some of his skills against better competition:

While the quarterbacks struggled to move the ball on both sides, there were some running backs who increased their visibility with their play. Xazavian Valladay had the most productive day with 76 yards on 13 carries and a reception for four yards.

The Arizona State RB showed decisiveness and one-cut ability while running the ball on the inside:

On the West team, it was Fresno State's Jordan Mims leading the way on the ground. He had 40 yards on six carries and showed the explosiveness and vision that teams are looking for, along with the ability to make defenders miss in the open field:

Utah's Tavion Thomas also had a nice run in the game. He only got four carries but one of them was a 29-yard scamper in which he had to show some agility and the ability to make people miss.

For some of these prospects, the next step will be showing out at the NFL combine. For those without an invite to Indianapolis, they are going to have to hope their Shrine Bowl performance was good enough to get an invite or hear their name called in the spring anyway.