Broncos met with CB Jarius Monroe at East-West Shrine Bowl

The Broncos spoke with Tulane cornerback Jarius Monroe at the East-West Shrine Bowl last month.

The Denver Broncos met with Tulane cornerback Jarius Monroe at the East-West Shrine Bowl in Frisco, Texas last month, according to Justin Melo of The Draft Network.

In an interview with Melo, Monroe (6-2, 205 pounds) listed the Broncos meeting among the conversations that “stood out” to him, but he also mentioned four other teams in the same category.

The cornerback had an impressive performance at the Shrine Bowl, recording one interception and one pass breakup in the West team’s 26-11 victory over the East team.

In two years with the Green Wave, Monroe totaled 69 tackles, 18 pass breakups, six interceptions, one sack and one forced fumble (27 games). Before transferring to Tulane ahead of the 2022 season, Monroe spent three years at Nicholls State University, an FCS program.

Monroe is projected to be a late-round pick or undrafted free agent in April. Denver does not currently hold a pick in the seventh round, but the team does have a sixth-round pick. The 2024 NFL draft will be held in Detroit from April 25-27.

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Darius Muasau catches attention after East-West Shrine Bowl

Darius Muasau listed as one of the most intriguing prospects from the Shrine Bowl.

The Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl came and went and were overshadowed by some more coaching changes across college football.

As college players did their best to stand out in front of NFL scouts and talent evaluators, a number of UCLA players boosted their resumes.

Laiatu Latu is the obvious one and looks like an easy choice to go in the first round. However, Darius Muasau drew some praise from Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic in his piece listing the most intriguing prospects at the Shrine Bowl (subscription required):

The best linebacker at the Shrine Bowl, Muasau (more than 50 combined starts between UCLA and Hawaii) led a stingy Bruins defense with 38 run stops last season. He showed great burst and fluidity in coverage this week and was the most physical in the group via run fits. He ran alongside Penn State linebacker Curtis Jacobs — a very fast defender — in most individual drills.

Muasau also was the loudest linebacker on the field and seemed to be the most in control setting defenses during team periods. He could be bigger, but he’s a quality high-floor linebacker prospect.

Muasau clearly made an impression at the Shrine Bowl as four total players from UCLA made the trip. The Murphy twins also stood out, but it was Muasau who might have benefitted the most from it.

It will be interesting to see how Muasau does over the next few weeks as he tries to impress NFL scouts.

Broncos met with LB Easton Gibbs at East-West Shrine Bowl

The Broncos met with Wyoming LB Easton Gibbs at the East-West Bowl last month. He totaled 361 tackles in 45 games with the Cowboys.

The Denver Broncos had “extended meetings” with Wyoming linebacker Easton Gibbs at the East-West Bowl last month, according to a report from The Draft Network’s Justin Melo.

Gibbs (6-2, 227 pounds) totaled 361 tackles (22.5 behind the line), 11 pass breakups, seven interceptions, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one interception in four seasons (45 games) with college football’s Cowboys.

Broncos starting linebacker Josey Jewell is scheduled to become a free agent in March. Denver used a third-round pick to select Drew Sanders last year, but he ended up spending more time at outside linebacker than he did at inside linebacker as a rookie. It remains to be seen what Sanders’ long-term position will be.

Gibbs is a late-round prospect who might end up going undrafted this spring. The Broncos currently hold six picks, including two selections in the fifth round and one sixth-round pick. The 2024 NFL draft will be held in Detroit from April 25-27.

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Top performers from 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl

These players stood out in the Shrine Bowl on Thursday.

The 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl was played in Frisco, TX on Thursday night The West team won the 26-11.

The final score is probably the least important thing about the game.

The game is one of the biggest and oldest predraft showcases for NFL draft prospects, second only to the Senior Bowl.

While the final score might matter little, individual player performances in the game and in the practices leading up to the game matter.

Who were the top performers of the 2024 Shrine Bowl?

Jabari Small by the numbers in 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl

Former Tennessee running back Jabari Small by the numbers in the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl.

The East-West Shrine Bowl took place Thursday at Ford Center in Frisco, Texas, the indoor practice complex for the Dallas Cowboys.

West defeated East, 26-11.

Former Tennessee running back Jabari Small played for team West. He recorded 17 rushing yards on six attempts and one reception for three yards.

Small appeared in 45 games at Tennessee from 2020-23. He recorded 2,122 rushing yards, 24 rushing touchdowns, 247 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns for the Vols.

Small declared for the NFL draft ahead of Tennessee’s bowl game to conclude the 2023 season.

“I want to express how this university has made my college football experience truly special,” Small announced. “These past four years the support, love and cheers have made this chapter special and unforgettable. Through all of the wins, losses, injuries, shining moments, adversities and obstacles — I gave my all for Tennessee.

“As I step into this next chapter towards chasing my dreams, I will forever carry the pride and spirit of the University of Tennessee with me. After much prayer and consideration with my family, I will be declaring for the 2024 NFL draft.”

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

McCallan Castles by the numbers in 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl

Former Tennessee tight end McCallan Castles by the numbers in the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl.

The East-West Shrine Bowl took place Thursday at Ford Center in Frisco, Texas, the indoor practice complex for the Dallas Cowboys.

West defeated East, 26-11.

Former Tennessee tight end McCallan Castles played for team East. He was targeted one time and did not record any statistics.

Castles appeared in 13 games for the Vols in 2023. He recorded 22 receptions for 283 yards and five touchdowns.

The 6-foot-5, 252-pound tight end transferred to Tennessee on Dec. 7, 2022 from UC Davis.

He played at UC Davis from 2021-22, starting 28 games, and recorded 68 receptions, 928 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns.

Castles played at California from 2018-19 before transferring to UC Davis, recording one reception for 15 yards.

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

How to watch and stream the East-West Shrine Bowl

The 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl will be televised on NFL Network tonight.

The 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl will be played tonight (Feb. 1) at the Ford Center, a Dallas Cowboys practice facility at The Star in Frisco, Texas.

The college all-star game will begin at 6 p.m. MT and will be nationally televised on NFL Network. Football fans can stream the game on fuboTV (try it free).

Richard Hightower (Chicago Bears) will serve as the head coach of the East team while Mike Kafka (New York Giants) coaches the West team. Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb will be the offensive coordinator for the West team.

Last spring, Denver signed three undrafted free agents who participated in the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl: offensive tackle Alex Palczewski (East), cornerback Art Green (East) and defensive lineman PJ Mustipher (West).

This year’s game features running back Frank Gore Jr., the son of five-time Pro Bowler Frank Gore Sr., a member of the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team. To view the full roster of players participating in this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl, click here.

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Broncos signed 3 players after last year’s East-West Shrine Bowl

After playing in the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl, OT Alex Palczewski, CB Art Green and DL PJ Mustipher later signed with the Broncos.

The 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl will be played in Texas tonight and the Denver Broncos will have scouts and coaches in attendance.

Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb will serve as the West team’s offensive coordinator, giving him a great opportunity to get a close look at the draft prospects participating in this year’s college all-star game.

Last year, Denver signed three players who participated in the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl as college free agents: offensive tackle Alex Palczewski (East), cornerback Art Green (East) and defensive lineman PJ Mustipher (West).

Palczewski made the initial 53-man roster but spent most of his rookie season on injured reserve before being activated for the final game of the year. Green spent most of the 2023 campaign on the practice squad before being elevated to the game-day roster in Week 18. The New Orleans Saints signed Mustipher off the Broncos’ practice squad last December.

To view the full roster of players participating in this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl, click here.

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Two Vols to play in East-West Shrine Bowl

Two Vols will play in the East-West Shrine Bowl on Thursday.

Two former Vols will compete in the East-West Shrine Bowl on Thursday.

Tight end McCallan Castles and running back Jabari Small will play in the all-star game, which will be contested at Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. Ford Center is the indoor practice complex for the Dallas Cowboys.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. EST and NFL Network will televise the game. The game benefits Shriner’s Children’s Hospital and is the longest running college all-star contest.

In one season with the Vols, Castles totaled 22 receptions for 283 yards.

Small appeared in 11 games for Tennessee in 2023. He recorded 475 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Jabari Small (2). Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Here are the rosters for the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl

Here is the roster of players participating in the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl tonight.

The 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl will be played at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 6 p.m. MT. The college all-star game will be televised on NFL Network and available to stream on fuboTV (try it free).

The Denver Broncos will have scouts and coaches in attendance for the game and quarterbacks coach Davis Webb will serve as offensive coordinator for the West team. His QBs will be Taulia Tagovailoa, John Rhys Plumlee and Kedon Slovis.

Here is the full list of quarterbacks at the East-West Shrine Bowl this year:

  • Austin Reed, Western Kentucky
  • Devin Leary, Kentucky
  • Cameron Ward, Washington State
  • Jordan Travis, Florida State
  • Kedon Slovis, BYU
  • John Rhys Plumlee, UCF

See the full roster of players at each position below.