East-West Shrine Game 2011: 10 Players Who Have the Most to Lose
Some of college football's best will have the chance to take the field and showcase their talents in Saturday's East-West Shrine Game.
While many players feel that they can improve their draft stock at the game, others might have a lot to lose if their performance does not meet the standards that NFL scouts have set.
There are plenty of big names in this game who finished off their college careers with great showings in their respected bowl games, but can those players really increase their stock while playing in this All Star showcase?
Lets take a look at 10 players who have the most to lose by playing in this game.
10. Karl Klug, Iowa
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Karl Klug has had a successful career in his time at Iowa, but reports from the East-West Shrine practices are not in his favor.
Klug is drawing some negative feedback for not being fast and athletic enough at the defensive end position, but also not being strong enough to dominate inside at the defensive tackle position.
Quickness and strength are two aspects that you need to be successful at the NFL level.
If Klug isn't able to show that he can handle bigger and quicker players in the game, then his draft status could plummet in a hurry.
9. Aldrick Robinson, SMU
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SMU wideout Aldrick Robinson had an outstanding collegiate career with over 3,300 yards and 30 touchdowns in his four years. He had 14 TD receptions and 1,301 yards in his senior season.
But while Robinson's numbers dazzled, he did not play against top competition in Conference USA. In fact, TCU was the only ranked team that he went up against during his senior season.
There are a number of good, polished corners in this game that could very well present a difficult time for Robinson, since he has not gone up against this type of competition this year.
He is also undersized for the wide out position, only standing at 5'10.
It will be a huge test for Robinson to see if he can show up and make an impact while going up against some of the top corners in college football this past year.
8. Vai Taua, Nevada
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All reports have been that Taua has been impressive with his performance in practice for this game. He shined this year for Nevada, and played huge in Nevada's win over Boise State on national TV.
But in reality, Taua does not have the type of game that progresses to the NFL level. He does not have great size, he does not have exceptional speed, and he did not play against high-level talent in college.
With his great stats and outstanding game against Boise State, Taua is a recognizable name. But when you put him up against some of the best in the country, Taua's stock might drop.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Brandon Bair, Oregon
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Brandon Bair concluded his senior season playing on College Football's biggest stage. He is from a big-name program who played big-time competition.
But reports from the Shrine practice is that Bair is a slow, one-speed player off the snap.
He has a huge frame standing at 6'7, but plays with poor leverage and struggles to shred blocks at times. He has been ineffective against both the run and the pass in practice so far.
The fact that he played for Oregon on the biggest stage is a plus, the fact that his draft stock could take a huge hit if he doesn't perform well at the East-West Shrine game is a big negative.
6. Jeron Johnson, Boise State
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Jeron Johnson is another name who had a good senior season but has disappointed throughout practices for the All-Star game.
He lacks explosiveness and burst to make plays and constantly allows separation to ends and backs.
Not to mention that at 6'0 and maybe 200 pounds, Johnson might be undersized to play the safety position at the next level.
Johnson will have his chance to make some big plays and show that he can come up and make a hit when needed. Whether he does that remains to be seen.
5. Terrence Toliver, LSU
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Terrence Toliver was one of the highest recruited receivers in the country when he arrived at LSU his freshman season.
He did not live up to his hype in his first three seasons at LSU, but Toliver had a breakout year in his senior season. He led the team with 41 catches, nearly 600 yards and five touchdowns.
But the catch here is that Toliver had hands-down the best game of his college career in his final game, LSU's 41-24 victory over Texas A&M in the AT&T Cotton Bowl.
In that game, Toliver pulled in five catches for 112 yards and three touchdowns. He had arguably the most dominant performance of any receiver in a bowl game this year.
With that said, Toliver is riding the highest of streaks heading into the East West game. There is no chance he will reach those types of numbers in an All-Star game.
Toliver is on fire right now, and really, has a ton to lose by playing in this game. It would be really difficult for his stock to go up anymore than it is right now.
4. Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech
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It is fair to say that Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor is the biggest name playing in this year's East-West Shrine Game.
He had an outstanding senior season and an exceptional career. Taylor enters this game with a lot of hype, but what if he struggles against some of the nation's top competition?
NFL scouts have said that they are not sure if Taylor will play quarterback at the next level, but he has refused to line up as a receiver or return kicks. This could hurt Taylor a lot in the long run.
He should take advantage of showing his many talents and the fact that he won't give it a try might steer off NFL scouts.
3. Brian Rolle, Ohio State
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Rolle was looked at to be the next great linebacker at Ohio State. And while he doesn't have the type of hype surrounding the likes of former Buckeyes A.J. Hawk and James Laurinaitis, he does have the Ohio State name tagged to him.
But truth be told, Rolle is undersized for the linebacker position at the next level. At 5'11" and 218 pounds, it might be in his best interest to try and adapt to a new position, perhaps safety.
If he wants a chance to improve his draft stock, Rolle needs to have a big day in the East-West Shrine game.
2. Marvin Austin, UNC
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It turns out that Marvin Austin will get his chance to play in this year's East-West Shrine Game, despite being forced to sit out the entire regular season due to allegations that he accepted extra benefits from an agent.
Marvin is an interesting player, because while he might have the most to prove, he also has the most to lose.
Right now, Marvin is projected to be a second-round draft pick. This is without playing in a live game for over a year. Every scout watching this game will be curious to see how Austin will adapt to playing in a real game.
He might be the most talented player in this game, but if he does not deliver and shows that he is out of shape, his draft stock could really plummet.
1. Jeff Maehl, Oregon
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Maehl was the top receiver on the team that featured the most explosive offense in all of college football this season.
He has the ability to go in traffic and make difficult catches using his good set of hands.
But in all reality, Maehl does not have great speed, and is a below-level athlete for his position at the next level. Of any player in this game, Maehl might be riding the biggest hot streak.
Unless he has a breakout game and shows something the average scout does not know about him, Maehl will not increase his draft stock.
In fact, his lack of speed could come to hurt him in a game like this that is going to be filled with athletic defensive backs.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
