Tomorrow will mark the 90th East/West Shrine game. The kick-off is set for 4pm EST on the NFL Network and Memphis fans will want to watch.
The Tigers will have three of their starts from this past season playing in the game.
Senior Cornerback Bobby McCain, Defensive End Martin Ifedi and Safety Fritz Etienne will take the field for the West team.
All three are on the fringe of the NFL draft's radar and all three have increased their stock with impressive practices this week.
Dan Hope from BuffaloBillsDraft.com noted how impressive Etienne and McCain practiced on Wednesday in an article saying, "Etienne, who has great length for a defensive backs and has exhibited good athleticism this week, had the best sequence of the day during team drills late in practice. First, Etienne made a leaping pass breakup from behind Oklahoma fullback Aaron Ripkowski to swat a pass down. Then, on the very next play, Etienne slid in front of a receiver to make a clean interception in his hands as he went to the ground."
"McCain does not have any outstanding traits, but he also performed well Wednesday, as he displayed fluid hips and ability to track the ball in the air to make plays on it. Also seeing work as a returner this week, McCain is still on the fringe of being drafted but has given his stock a boost this week."
Dan Hope isn't the only one who was impressed with McCain and Fritz. Tony Pauline from DraftInsider.net said they looked great during Wednesday's practice.
NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock has been quoted as being impressed with McCain saying, "McCain (5-11, 190) was one of the standouts this week. McCain never redshirted and was a four-year starter for the Tigers, finishing his career with 15 picks (he returned three for TDs) and 15 pass breakups. He also was a solid return man for the Tigers." Mayock also stated that McCain is an ideal nickel candidate.
Former NFL safety Brian Jordan likes McCain and was quoted as saying, "His size works against him, but his aggressiveness works for him."
The Denver Broncos visited McCain on Tuesday. The St. Louis Rams visited with McCain this week as well.
Dane Brugler from NFLDraftScout.com wrote about Martin Ifedi saying, "Ifedi has somewhat of a DE/DT tweener frame and skill-set, but looked effective in both spots during drills. Off the edge, he used natural dip and body momentum to ride the offensive tackles' hip before showing the strong hands to finish in the pocket. And then lining up inside, Ifedi was able to use his foot quickness and upper body power in unison to rip and shed past blockers."
"Although a knee injury limited him in 2014, Ifedi has flashed on tape and it wouldn't be a surprise if he uses this platform in St. Petersburg as a launching pad up draft boards."
McCain, Ifedi and Etienne all dreamed of making it to the NFL as kids. Tomorrow they will get a chance to impress the NFL scouts in an effort to make those dreams into a reality.
The Tigers will have three of their starts from this past season playing in the game.
Senior Cornerback Bobby McCain, Defensive End Martin Ifedi and Safety Fritz Etienne will take the field for the West team.
All three are on the fringe of the NFL draft's radar and all three have increased their stock with impressive practices this week.
Dan Hope from BuffaloBillsDraft.com noted how impressive Etienne and McCain practiced on Wednesday in an article saying, "Etienne, who has great length for a defensive backs and has exhibited good athleticism this week, had the best sequence of the day during team drills late in practice. First, Etienne made a leaping pass breakup from behind Oklahoma fullback Aaron Ripkowski to swat a pass down. Then, on the very next play, Etienne slid in front of a receiver to make a clean interception in his hands as he went to the ground."
"McCain does not have any outstanding traits, but he also performed well Wednesday, as he displayed fluid hips and ability to track the ball in the air to make plays on it. Also seeing work as a returner this week, McCain is still on the fringe of being drafted but has given his stock a boost this week."
Dan Hope isn't the only one who was impressed with McCain and Fritz. Tony Pauline from DraftInsider.net said they looked great during Wednesday's practice.
NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock has been quoted as being impressed with McCain saying, "McCain (5-11, 190) was one of the standouts this week. McCain never redshirted and was a four-year starter for the Tigers, finishing his career with 15 picks (he returned three for TDs) and 15 pass breakups. He also was a solid return man for the Tigers." Mayock also stated that McCain is an ideal nickel candidate.
Former NFL safety Brian Jordan likes McCain and was quoted as saying, "His size works against him, but his aggressiveness works for him."
The Denver Broncos visited McCain on Tuesday. The St. Louis Rams visited with McCain this week as well.
Dane Brugler from NFLDraftScout.com wrote about Martin Ifedi saying, "Ifedi has somewhat of a DE/DT tweener frame and skill-set, but looked effective in both spots during drills. Off the edge, he used natural dip and body momentum to ride the offensive tackles' hip before showing the strong hands to finish in the pocket. And then lining up inside, Ifedi was able to use his foot quickness and upper body power in unison to rip and shed past blockers."
"Although a knee injury limited him in 2014, Ifedi has flashed on tape and it wouldn't be a surprise if he uses this platform in St. Petersburg as a launching pad up draft boards."
McCain, Ifedi and Etienne all dreamed of making it to the NFL as kids. Tomorrow they will get a chance to impress the NFL scouts in an effort to make those dreams into a reality.
