Shrine Bowl Standouts: Texas, Texas A&M Prospects Shine as NFL Scouts Watch Closely
FRISCO - With scouts from all 32 NFL teams lining the sidelines, Texas and Texas A&M prospects took the field for Sunday’s fourth Shrine Bowl practice looking to turn heads - and several of them did just that. The Shrine Bowl isn’t just another all-star showcase. It’s a proving ground, a chance for draft hopefuls to show they can compete with the best, adapt to pro-style coaching, and flash the traits that make them NFL material.
There’s one more day of practice before the East and West squads square off Tuesday, but a few names are already separating themselves from the pack.
Ethan Burke Making His Presence Felt
Let’s start with Texas edge rusher Ethan Burke - a name that’s been buzzing around Frisco all weekend. Burke’s not the bendiest pass rusher in the group, but when it comes to raw power and explosiveness off the line, he’s been a handful.
During Sunday’s one-on-ones, Burke delivered one of the most dominant reps of the day, bull-rushing Florida State tackle Micah Pettis straight back five yards. It was a clinic in leverage and strength, and it sent a message: Burke’s not here to blend in.
At 6-foot-6 and 269 pounds, Burke looks every bit the part. His size and length were especially noticeable during live run periods, where he held the edge with authority - something he’s done consistently throughout his college career. He’s not a finished product, and opinions on his draft stock vary, but if he keeps stacking performances like this, he’s going to climb some boards.
Tyler Onyedim: Quick Off the Ball, Disruptive in the Pocket
Lining up inside, Tyler Onyedim brought a different kind of heat. At 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, he’s a bit undersized for an interior defensive lineman, and that showed at times in the run game. But when it came to rushing the passer, Onyedim turned up the volume.
His get-off was one of the quickest among the defensive linemen, and he combined that burst with real play strength. One of his best moments came when he hit a spin move that completely shook Wake Forest’s Fa'alili Fa'amoe - the kind of move that makes you rewind the tape.
When Onyedim and Burke were paired together in drills, they created chaos. The synergy between their skill sets - Burke’s power off the edge and Onyedim’s quickness up the middle - gave offensive lines fits.
Jack Endries: Quietly Consistent Before Injury
Texas tight end Jack Endries may not have made any highlight-reel plays before suffering an ankle injury that’ll sideline him for the rest of the week, but that didn’t stop scouts from taking notice.
Endries earned praise for the little things - the subtle route-running, the ability to shield defenders at the catch point, and his reliable hands. He wasn’t flashy, but he was effective.
And in a setting like the Shrine Bowl, where consistency and polish can mean just as much as raw athleticism, that matters. As a blocker, he was solid if unspectacular, but as a pass catcher, he looked smooth and natural.
The injury is unfortunate, but he made a strong impression in limited action.
Other Notable Performers
- Jadon Canady (CB, Oregon) and Avery Smith (CB, Toledo) have been two of the steadiest defensive backs all week. Canady, in particular, has been a blanket in coverage, sticking to receivers and making life difficult for quarterbacks trying to find open windows.
- Kaden Wetjen (WR, Iowa) didn’t light up the stat sheet during the season - just 151 receiving yards - but he’s been a favorite target for the West quarterbacks thanks to his quickness and shiftiness, especially in return drills. He’s the kind of player who can carve out a role on special teams and grow from there.
- Eric Gentry (LB, USC) looks like he could be walking into an NBA gym with his 6-foot-6 frame and lanky build, but don’t let the physique fool you. Gentry uses that length to disrupt passing lanes and plays with more physicality than you’d expect from someone weighing in at 221 pounds. He’s a unique prospect - one who could intrigue teams looking for versatility at the second level.
Final Thoughts
With one more day of practice before the Shrine Bowl kicks off, these players have already made strong cases for themselves. For Burke, Onyedim, and Endries, it’s been about showing they can translate their college production and traits to a pro-style environment. For others like Canady, Wetjen, and Gentry, it’s been about proving they belong in the conversation.
The Shrine Bowl isn’t just a game - it’s an audition. And so far, several Texas and Texas A&M players are making the most of their moment.