Shrine Bowl Practice Report: Cade Klubnik Shows Poise, Receivers Battle Through QB Struggles, and Defensive Talent Emerges
FRISCO, Texas - The 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl kicked off its first day of practice at the Dallas Cowboys’ Ford Center, and with dozens of NFL scouts, coaches, and front-office personnel lining the sidelines, the evaluation season is officially in full swing.
Let’s dive into the key takeaways from Day 1, where some players made strong first impressions - and others left scouts wanting more.
Cade Klubnik: The QB Who Looked the Part
There’s no sugarcoating it - Cade Klubnik was the best quarterback on the field Friday, and it wasn’t particularly close. The former Clemson signal-caller didn’t have a flawless outing - a few balls sailed high when he tried to put extra heat on his throws - but from a total-package standpoint, Klubnik separated himself from the pack.
What really turned heads wasn’t just the arm talent. It was the way he operated.
Klubnik looked like a quarterback who’s already been in NFL rooms. He commanded the huddle, used cadence to draw defenders offside on his very first snap, and made pre-snap adjustments with confidence.
He manipulated defenders with his eyes, checked into better plays at the line, and generally looked in control.
There are still questions about his long-term projection. Klubnik’s 2025 season at Clemson didn’t go as planned, and he’s likely looking at a developmental path - starting as a backup.
But there’s no denying the upside. The tools are there, and Friday was a reminder of what made him a five-star recruit in the first place.
Struggles in the QB Room Beyond Klubnik
While Klubnik showed poise and polish, the rest of the quarterback group struggled - and it showed in ways that made it tough to evaluate the wide receivers. Florida’s J.
Michael Sturdivant found separation multiple times but rarely saw a catchable ball come his way. It was a recurring theme throughout the day: receivers doing their job, quarterbacks not holding up their end.
WR Standouts: Zavion Thomas and Skyler Bell Shine
Despite the erratic quarterback play, a few receivers managed to stand out.
LSU’s Zavion Thomas was arguably the most consistent pass-catcher on the field. He created separation throughout practice and made the most of his opportunities, even when the passes weren’t perfect. One one-handed grab in particular drew buzz from the sideline - the kind of play that sticks in scouts’ minds.
UConn’s Skyler Bell came in as the consensus top receiver in Frisco, and he backed that up with a strong showing. He cooked Nebraska cornerback Ceyair Wright on a sharp out route, showing crisp footwork and acceleration after the catch. Bell’s ability to separate against both press and off coverage was on full display.
Georgia’s Dillon Bell also flashed. While he didn’t post big numbers in college, he looked the part on Friday. His release off the line was smooth, and he showed some juice after the catch - a player to keep an eye on as the week progresses.
Undersized but Unignorable: Michael Wortham
Montana wideout Michael Wortham may have measured in at just over 5-foot-8, but he played bigger than his frame. His suddenness in and out of breaks gave defenders fits, and he consistently found space. He did struggle to track a deep ball at one point, but overall, Wortham looked like he belonged - not bad for a late addition to the roster.
Tight Ends Providing Stability
Texas’ Jack Endries looked like a safety valve all day. Whenever the quarterbacks got in trouble (which was often), Endries seemed to be there - finding soft spots in the defense and providing a reliable target. Notre Dame’s Eli Raridon didn’t get open quite as often, but he made some tough grabs in traffic, showing off strong hands.
In the Trenches: Nolan Rucci, Joe Cooper Impress
Penn State tackle Nolan Rucci measured in at a legit 6-foot-8 - and then some. He looked every bit the part in pass protection, holding his own in one-on-one drills and showing the same consistency that helped him allow just two sacks over two seasons, per PFF. His combination of length and balance makes him an intriguing developmental tackle.
Joe Cooper, the Slippery Rock product, made the jump from Division II look easy. He lined up at left guard after playing tackle in college and looked solid in run-blocking reps. It’s always a question how small-school linemen will hold up in these settings, but Cooper held his ground.
Defensive Highlights: Gentry’s Frame, Kuwatch’s Pick, Wright’s Aggression
USC linebacker Eric Gentry turned heads just by standing on the field. At 6-foot-6 3/8 and 221 pounds, he’s built like a tight end but moves like a linebacker. He didn’t have a splash play on Day 1, but his frame alone is going to keep scouts watching closely.
Miami (Ohio) linebacker Jackson Kuwatch made one of the top defensive plays of the day with a leaping interception. He also looked physically ready for the next level - a good sign for a player looking to prove he can match up with bigger-school talent.
Nebraska corner Ceyair Wright had an eventful day. He’s aggressive - sometimes too aggressive.
He bit hard on Skyler Bell’s route and got flagged for pass interference against Cincinnati’s Jeff Caldwell, but he also made multiple plays on the ball, including an interception during team drills. Wright’s tape from Friday will be a mix of teachable moments and flashes of upside.
Caldwell, by the way, measured in at a big 6-foot-4 3/4 and 208 pounds, and showed some nice work underneath. The deeper routes were a struggle across the board, but Caldwell’s size and catch radius made him a reliable target in the short game.
Injury Notes and Absences
- Cincinnati defensive tackle Deontay Corleone left West Team practice with what looked like an injury. No update yet on his status.
- Miami linebacker Wes Bissainthe, fresh off his College Football Playoff national title appearance, did not practice.
- Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, a player many had circled coming into the week, pulled out of the Shrine Bowl, reportedly due to a minor injury.
Scouting Presence
The Pittsburgh Steelers, even in the midst of their ongoing coaching search, had a strong contingent on hand. Director of college scouting Dan Colbert was present, as were a number of scouts and analysts. Business as usual for a franchise that rarely misses a chance to evaluate talent in person.
Final Thoughts
Day 1 of Shrine Bowl practice gave us a glimpse into which prospects are ready to make the most of this opportunity. Cade Klubnik looked like a player who’s already thinking like a pro.
Zavion Thomas and Skyler Bell made plays despite the QB inconsistencies. And a handful of defenders - from Kuwatch to Wright - showed they’re here to compete.
There’s a long week ahead, but the opening act gave scouts plenty to chew on.