With Carolina Panthers defensive line coach Sam Mills III coaching the 94th Annual East-West Shrine Game this weekend at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL and general manager Marty Hurney already in Florida scouting players in practice, there is clearly a presence from Charlotte taking their first look at college prospects. While the Shrine Game isn’t normally filled with players expected to go in the first round, 70 players from the 2018 roster were employed by an NFL team last season, including Pro Bowler Philip Lindsay and G Kyle Bosch, who spent training camp with the Panthers in 2018 – Panthers defensive end Bryan Cox Jr. played in the 2017 game.
“For the Panthers, it gives us an opportunity to have somebody hands-on evaluating all these players,” Mills told the team website earlier this month. “It’s great to have an inside guy.”
Even though the Shrine Game usually has prospects that are third day selections or UDFAs come April’s draft, the Shrine Game has produced 77 Hall of Famers in it’s 93 iterations – can’t find a diamond in the rough without first searching in the rough.
Let’s take a look at some players you might want to keep your eye on this Saturday – the Panthers have reportedly met with the following players over the course of practices this week:
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G/T Josh Miles – Morgan State University
The 6-3, 310 pound tackle only allowed one sack over the course of his senior year – he is the first Morgan State player to play in the Shrine Game.
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WR Terry Godwin – University of Georgia
When Godwin was targeted in 2018, his quarterback rating was 146.8, according to PFF; Godwin likely projects as a slot receiver in the NFL at 5-11, 185 pounds with great short-area quickness.
Wise decision to target these sure-handed draft-eligible WRs. pic.twitter.com/BJVFPqR4cS
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 17, 2018
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QB Jordan Ta’amu – Ole Miss University
Ta’amu, who threw for over 3,900 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2018, is an extremely accurate passer but may struggle with awareness at the next level.
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T Brian Wallace – University of Arkansas
The 6-5, 320 pound tackle was ranked as the #2 tackle in the nation coming out of high school.
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T Alex Bookser – University of Pittsburgh
Bookser bounced between right guard and right tackle for some of his college career before being named All-ACC Honorable Mention at guard in 2018.
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RB Devine Ozigbo – University of Nebraska
The 6-0, 230 pound rusher has almost 1,300 total yards and 12 touchdowns his senior year – he’s rarely brought down on first contact.
Nebraska RB Devine Ozigbo. Photo Credit: Chris Machian/The World Herald
- iOL Lamont Gaillard – University of Georgia
Gaillard has already impressed during practices at both center and guard; he started as a defensive lineman when recruited, but was voted second-team All-SEC by the AP this past season as he helped UGA to the SEC’s best rushing offense.
Next Up: The Defensive Side of the Ball
