15 Most Intriguing Prospects at The 2011 East-West Shrine Game

On January 22nd in Orlando, Florida, some of the more unheralded prospects in the 2011 NFL Draft will meet in the 86th-annual East-West Shrine Game to show off their talents and improve their draft stock. 

While many of the prospects warrant attention and a few unknown names are bound to surprise, there are 15 names that deserve your undivided attention.

15. Akeem Dent, ILB, Georgia

Dent is an underrated run stuffer

6'1", 235 pounds

An underrated run-stuffer even among many online scouting services, Dent stood out to me in each of the three Georgia games that I was able to see on CBS this year. Georgia was solid in run support all year, holding teams to 3.7 yards per carry and Dent was a huge reason for that success.

He led Georgia and was second in the SEC with 122 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for a loss. He may not run a blazing 40 or show other-worldly athleticism, but Dent is a fundamentally sound tackler and a smart defender who always seems to take the right angle. He could be a great fit in a 3-4 defense as an ILB.

Projected Round: 6-7 

14. Lestar Jean, WR, Florida Atlantic

Jean has the quickness to shoot up boards

6'3" 200 pounds

One of Wes Bunting's favorite prospects in this game, Jean is an intriguing small school player who has a chance to prove himself against some tougher competition. 

Jean has good straight-line speed and in a league built on burst, his solid 40 time could really help him rise up boards. He has good size and impressive athleticism to go along with consistent production (64 receptions, 988 yards and eight TDs).

Projected Round: 6-7

13. Martin Parker, DT, Richmond

If Parker can improve his technique he could be a solid addition to an NFL defensive line.

6'2", 290 pounds

Parker is a versatile lineman who played defensive tackle at Richmond and could play that in a 4-3 front in the NFL. But he could easily slide over to defensive end in a 3-4 scheme, which should add to his value.

He led all CAA defensive lineman with 8.7 tackles per game and he was second in the league in sacks with 5.5 and 13.5 tackles for a loss during the 2010 season. He shows good ability to shed blocks in the interior with his strength and quick burst into the backfield, however he does so more off of raw strength and ability than solid technique. He often gets too upright and against bigger blockers, he might get pushed off the line far more regularly. 

If he is able to improve some of his fundamentals, he could prove to be a value rotational lineman.

Projected Round: 6-7

12. Jah Reid, OT, Central Florida

Reid has the strength to push up his stock

6'8", 325 pounds

Central Florida's offense improved by almost 1,500 total yards this season and Reid was a big reason why. The first-team Conference USA offensive tackle is solid in both phases of the game.

He has long arms and is a natural knee bender, which suggests that he should be able to handle quicker pass rushers at the next level. He has solid balance and good pop, which helps him in the run game, but he's likely too limited an athlete to play on the left side. However, he could be a very solid RT for years to come.

Projected round: 4-5

11. Chris Carter, OLB, Fresno State

If Carter proves he can stop the run like he can rush the passer, he could really improve his value

6'2", 230 pounds

Carter has really proved himself as a pass-rushing force this year, totaling 11 sacks, 16.5 tackles for a loss and four forced fumbles during the 2010 season. 

He has good speed off the edge and a solid array of pass-rushing moves that seem to indicate that he would translate well as a rush OLB in a 3-4 scheme. However, as a DE in college, Carter wasn't asked to do a whole lot of covering or stopping the run in space. The All-Star game will be a test to see how he can handle the transition he will likely be asked to make.

Projected Round: 4-5

10. Bruce Miller, OLB, Central Florida

Miller is another player who needs to prove he can play a new position

6'2", 250 pounds

Another college DE who would likely be asked to switch to OLB at the next level, Miller is a prospect whose production might take a backseat to his limited athleticism during the offseason.

He was voted the Defensive Player of the Year in Conference USA after totaling 63 tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks, two INTs and 18 QB hurries. He also leads all players nationally with 34 career sacks, which is good for fourth most all-time in the FBS.

However, Miller is not a gifted athlete in the open field. He's likely too small to play DE in most systems, so he'll be asked to show the ability to rush off the edge and stop the run in space, something that this bowl game will certainly test.

Projected Round: 6-7

9. Jerrod Johnson, ATH, Texas A&M

Johnson's athleticism could save his draft value

6'4", 245 pounds

Talk about a player who wishes he could have a do-over. Johnson was a potential Heisman candidate coming into this season following a solid junior year and a career-making performance against the Texas Longhorns at the end of the 2009 season. He has great athleticism, size and arm strength at the QB position and was thought to be one of the prime examples of the "new era of quarterbacks."

But the wheels fell off after an arm injury and inconsistent play in 2010. Johnson showed spotty decision-making and poor fundamentals and soon found himself on the bench.

However, he is a good player whose athleticism is too good to make him go unnoticed. Some team may take a chance on him as a developmental QB, but more likely he'll be asked to play a bunch of positions in the All-Star games, much like Brad Smith when he was coming out of Missouri. If he is able to show some potential as a WR or hybrid athlete, he could see his value rise.

Projected Round: 6-7

8. Jordan Cameron, TE, USC

Cameron is a former basketball player who might find success on the football field

6'5", 235 pounds

Much like current NFL rookies Aaron Hernandez and Ed Dickson, Cameron is an athletic receiver who is more athlete than tight end. A former member of the Trojan basketball team and reserve WR, Cameron saw action in 12 games this season, catching 16 passes for 126 yards and one TD.

However, he has great athleticism and size for the TE position to go along with solid leaping ability and straight line speed. He's a project as a fundamental football player, but some team will take a chance that he could turn into the next Antonio Gates.

Projected Round: 5-6

7. Ricky Dobbs, ATH, Navy

Dobbs' versatility could make him useful at the next level.

6'1", 205 pounds

A quarterback while at Navy, Dobbs will likely be asked to move to RB at the next level. He ran an option offense in school, so the transition shouldn't be too difficult to make. He totaled 937 yards rushing with 14 TDs to go along with 1,527 yards and 13 TDs passing.

As a passer, he has solid leadership skills and displays good decision-making, but he lacks impressive size, arm strength or mechanics. He, like Johnson, could be a solid athlete at the next level, but unlike Johnson, he has actual experience at the position he will be asked to play. He shows the ability to run between the tackles as well as make people miss in space. He doesn't have great straight line speed, but he could provide a variety of options for an NFL coaching staff.

Projected Round: 6-7

6. Joseph Barksdale, OT, LSU

If Barksdale proves he can play on the left side, he will be much more valuable to NFL teams

6'5", 320 pounds

Barksdale was a sleeper name when he flirted with entering the 2010 NFL Draft. After returning to school, he's seen his stock fluctuate with each week. 

He has the size that NFL coaches love to see for offensive tackles and, at times, displays the athleticism that would suggest that he could be a starter on the left side at the next level. However, his technique is not consistent and he can often get lazy and upright.

If he can show that he is able to pick up improved technique and display the ability to apply it with consistency, teams are going to buy into his as a LT and it's going to improve his stock tremendously.

Projected Round: 4-5

5. Matthew O'Donnell, OT, Queens Ontario

If O'Donnell proves he is not just a massive man, he could be a real name to watch

6'10", 340 Pounds

How can you not be intrigued when you see a guy listed at 6'10" and 340 pounds? He has dressed in every game during his four-year career, proving that he is not just a freak show, but that he's a legitimate athlete.

He's a physically intimidating force and has led a very talented offensive line, but he plays in a Canadian league in which nobody really has a chance to see on film. If he is able to keep up with top collegiate talent, he could be really intriguing for teams looking to shore up their lines.

Projected Round: 4-5

4. Tyrod Taylor, ATH, Virginia Tech

Although Taylor has great athleticism, he has a shot to make it as a QB at the next level

6'1", 210 pounds

For anybody who watched the Orange Bowl, you know that Taylor has a unique blend of athleticism and physical skills so that predicting what he could do at the next level becomes very complicated.

At times he shows solid fundamentals as a passer and above-average arm strength which, when added with his improvisation skills and escapability, makes him an intriguing developmental prospect as a QB. After all, he did throw for over 2,700 yards and 24 TDs with only five INTs on the season. 

However, Taylor also has impressed as a runner, logging 660 yards and five TDs this season. His body may not hold up to a consistent pounding, but he has shown the elusiveness to be valuable as an all-purpose back and potential return threat. 

Seeing how he can handle additional positions will give NFL teams more of an insight into his value at the next level.

Projected Round: 5-6

3. Cecil Shorts, WR, Mount Union

Shorts is the top small school WR in a deep class

6'0", 190 pounds

A small-school standout, Shorts has his chance to showcase his skills against top level competition at the Shrine Bowl. He is an explosive athlete and has great straight-line speed, but also possesses shiftiness in the open field that would seem to indicate that he could also serve as a slot WR at the next level. 

With the success of guys like Pierre Garçon, scouts are taking an even harder look at small school players and if Shorts proves that he can handle the step up in competition and the size and speed of the top colleges, he could hear his name called earlier than many expect. 

Projected Round: 3-4

2. Pat Devlin, QB, Delaware

If Devlin proves he has adequate arm strength, he could be a sleeper QB option

6'3", 220 pounds

Coming into the season, Devlin was a sexy pick as a sleeper QB prospect. After an inconsistent season, his star seems to have lost a little bit of its luster. He doesn't have great arm strength and hasn't been tested by any top-flight competition.

However, he has good athleticism and great football IQ. He shows the ability to anticipate routes and buy time for himself in the pocket. If he proves that his arm is strong enough to make all the necessary throws, he could see a real uptick in his stock.

Projected round: 3-4

1. Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina

If Austin shows up in shape, he'll be the guy that everybody is watching

6'3", 310 pounds

Austin was an intriguing name heading into the 2010 draft before deciding to go back to UNC for his senior year. It turned out to be a disaster season as he was part of the group suspended for receiving improper benefits from agents.

If you look at tape from Austin's 2009 season, you see a powerful athlete who has the ability to be a real disruptive force in the backfield as an interior lineman. If he shows up in football shape and proves that he is committed to putting those character concerns behind him and dedicating himself to football, he could add to an already-strong defensive line class.

Projected Round: 2-3