Day two of showcase practice is an important time for players that struggled on day one to bounce back and for other players to build on their early success. Our team will be headed to Mobile for Senior Bowl week on Monday, but here is what stood out from Shrine Bowl day two.
Oronde Gadsen II, Tight End, Syracuse
It is important to figure out what a prospect can do and understand that great coaches can either develop or coach around what they can’t do.
Oronde Gadsen II can definitely run routes and catch the ball. At Syracuse, he was immensely productive for several years. Oftentimes, he would line up as a true wide receiver and was able to be consistently effective. A question mark, especially given that Gadsen gained a lot of weight over his career in order to swing into the tight end position, was how he would fair in the blocking game.
We got a taste today as the Shrine Bowl running backs, linebackers, and tight ends faced off in one-on-one pass protection drills. Watching live, Gadsen surprised with his ability to block on a few reps against some of the more talented on the ball linebackers. While it definitely needs a little polish, his potential as an in-line tight end is something that is a new addition to his draft profile.
Robert Longerbeam, DB, Rutgers
Robert Longerbeam had a standout day on Sunday. He performed well in the one-on-ones in both press and off coverage. After a solid 2023 season where he was 75th in our AI Coverage metric, he had a down season in 2024. He looked more like his 2023 self on day two of Shrine Bowl practice.
1on1 rep between Ricky White and Robert Longerbeam pic.twitter.com/n3FYJQ6gmP
— Sam Bruchhaus (@bruchhaussports) January 26, 2025
Alijah Huzzie, DB, UNC
Alijah Huzzie played an overwhelming majority of his snaps at outside corner at UNC, but he’s been playing mostly in the slot during the Shrine practices. He’s played physical and has had some solid coverage reps over the weekend. He came up slow after a rep to end the day but has flown around the field thus far.
Shrine Bowl Update Day 2
UNC’s CB Alijah Huzzie has had himself a day today. He’s been playing physical and has been mostly in the slot.#NFLDraft2025 #ShrineBowl pic.twitter.com/NY0XfgPWA0
— Matt Stopsky (@MStopsky) January 26, 2025
Zeek Biggers
Zeek Biggers had his long arms on display on day two of Shrine Bowl practices. He had an impressive rep splitting a double team with ease in a two-on-one run fit drill, showed power in one-on-ones, and flashed with speed in individual drills. He is continuing to build on a strong start to showcase season.
Other players of note: CJ West, IDL, Indiana, Nazir Stackhouse, IDL, Georgia, Warren Brinson, IDL, Georgia
