How to Watch, Top Prospects, Bears Fits

The East-West Shrine Bowl is one of college football’s premier all-star prospect showcase games. This game has long featured some of the top prospects on NFL Draft boards, and I figure this year will be no different. And if you’re a Chicago Bears fan who wants to get an early look at intriguing prospects or are someone who is looking for some football that will help bridge the gap to Super Bowl LIX, then the East-West Shrine Bowl might just be in your wheelhouse.

What you need to know about the East-West Shrine Bowl

Kickoff Time: 7 p.m. CT

Site: AT&T Stadium; Arlington Texas

How to watch: NFL Network

Rosters: via Pro Football Network

The folks at Pro Football Focus, ESPN, NFL Media, and CBS Sports are among those who share lists of prospects to watch in the Shrine Bowl. You can check those lists out in full at your own leisure. And while Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders stands out among Shrine Bowl participants, I’ve pulled some other notable players who I think should be on the Bears’ radar as they scout for talent to add to their draft boards.

Bryce Cabeldue, Kansas offensive lineman

NFL Media’s Chad Reuter says: Cabeldue really stood out on the interior despite the fact that he only played a handful of snaps at guard while at Kansas. He has guard size, though, and his hip explosion and strong hands helped him control his man off the snap in various run-blocking schemes.

The Bears’ needs along the interior of the offensive line cannot be overstated. Hence, I am looking deeper into every possible target who could be a target for Chicago’s front office. I wonder if Cabeldue’s versatility and experience at tackle could help his draft stock.

Hollin Pierce, Rutgers offensive tackle

ESPN’s Jordan Reid says: One of the biggest surprises this weekend was how Pierce performed. At 6-foot-8 and 342 pounds with 36-inch arms, his measurables were the talk of the event. But his technique was also better than anticipated.

Pierce projects to be a seventh-round pick or a possible priority undrafted free agent signing. Considering that the Bears have two seventh-round picks and could stand to add to their offensive line depth, Pierce’s profile intrigues me. A strong showing at the Shrine Bowl could help solidify his draft stock.

Elijah Roberts, SMU edge

ESPN’s Matt Miller says: Teams should love his versatility, with equal parts play power and speed. Those traits helped him to 7.5 sacks and 51 pressures (tied for sixth in the FBS) this season.

It felt as if there was an outsized importance on finding the perfect 3-technique defensive tackle during the Matt Eberflus era. But with Dennis Allen in town, I feel as if the front office’s priority will shift to finding an edge defender. Maybe the Bears find a starter in free agency. Even if they do, it would be wise to add another talented defensive end option in the upcoming NFL Draft.

2025 NFL Mock Draft: Chicago Bears Get Offensive Line Help

Bradyn Swinson, LSU edge

PFF’s Max Chadwick says: “Swinson has shown off advanced pass-rushing moves throughout his career that could give offensive linemen fits in one-on-one drills. He’s currently a projected third-round pick and will look to move up in what is a deep edge class.”

A common thread I’ve found in reading about the 2025 NFL Draft is the widely held belief that this is a deep class of defensive end and edge prospects. This bodes well for a Bears team that needs to find help at that position this offseason. Perhaps they’ll find help at the Shrine Bowl.

Dont’e Thornton, Tennessee wide receiver

NFL Media’s Chad Reuter says: Known by most as a deep-ball receiver who led the FBS with an average of 25.4 yards per reception as a senior, he has taken advantage of his reps by showing he can win with quickness on comeback routes and get inside on slants with quickness off the line. Of course, his most notable attribute is the strider’s speed once past his defender, which he’s shown on multiple occasions when his man was not able to stop his progress at the line.

It is no secret that Chicago’s offense needs a wide receiver who possesses the speed element. And after watching what Jameson Williams did in Ben Johnson’s Lions offense, I’d like for the Bears to find someone who can do similar things in Chicago. It would be fun to see Thornton take the top off the defense at the Shrine Bowl.

Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech running back

NFL Media’s Chad Reuter says: With his combination of agility and power through contact, Brooks stands out, even in a very deep group of running backs poised to go in the third through fifth rounds of the upcoming draft.

It is very easy to fall head over heels for Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. With that being said, we could see the Shrine Bowl produce a running back prospect who intrigues the Bears. Perhaps finding a diamond in the rough on Day 2 or Day 3 could be an alternative to drafting a back early.

Thomas Perry, Middlebury interior offensive lineman

CBS Sports’ Emory Hunt says: After the first day of practice, he was able to more than hold his own, operating well in the combo blocking drill and in 1-on-1 opportunities. Also, it looks like center may be where he projects best as a pro, as he really excelled there during practice.

If the Bears do not target a center early in free agency, the next best option could be to create a camp competition with former top-100 pick Ricky Stromberg and a player plucked from the 2025 NFL Draft. Thomas Perry would be a fun underdog story to follow. That he has stood out at center during Shrine Bowl practices is notable.

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