Notes From The 2015 East-West Shrine Game

If you missed the 2015 East-West Shrine Game Saturday afternoon, you really didn’t miss too much. As with every collegiate football All-Star game, the week of practice leading up to the game is where one can really learn a lot about draft hopefuls as there is so little playing time to go around for everyone in the actual game.

There were very few players that stood out in the East-West Shrine game and below is a quick rundown.

Miami defensive end Anthony Chickillo (6-foot-4, 275 pounds) probably should’ve been the MVP of the game. He looked at home playing the 4-3 end position even though he played in a 3-4, two-gap system at Miami. While he might need to gain a little more weight, Chickillo might be 3-4 defensive end prospect for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He used his hands and arms well, I assume he will be invited to the combine.

Za’Darius Smith (6-5, 265) of Kentucky provided a lot of pressure off the right side early in the game but really seemed to disappear in the second half. While Smith will be a 4-3 defensive end candidate at the next level, I don’t believe he has the skill set to play a 3 or 5-tech position full-time in a 3-4 defense. Is he too big to play outside linebacker in a 3-4? I don’t know, but I intend to watch more tape on him to see how he was used at Kentucky. He’s another one that I hope receives a combine invite.

Tennessee Chattanooga defensive tackle Derrick Lott (6-4,298) does look like he can play the 5 and the 3 in a 3-4 defense at the next level and he showed off some power Saturday from the defensive tackle spot. He was a Georgia transfer.

Stanford linebacker James Vaughters really didn’t help his cause Saturday. I saw two missed tackles in the game and to make matters worse, he wasn’t allowed to rush the quarterback much, if any. I’m still not sure if he can play the outside spot in a 3-4 at the next level.

Tennessee cornerback Justin Coleman (5-11, 190) had an even game and it looks like he can play off. I believe he had one pass breakup in the game and at least two or three tackles. His tape needs to be researched for sure as it looks like he can play outside at the NFL level.

I didn’t focus much on the offense, but when I did, Louisville guard John Miller (6-3, 315)  caught my eye. He washed things out to the inside several times and he should definitely hear his name called during the draft. He played right guard Saturday.

I was disappointed that LSU running back Kenny Hilliard didn’t play Saturday. I wonder if he aggravated the shoulder injury that forced him to miss the final two games of the season.

Florida Atlantic free safety Damian Parms only had one interception during his college career, but recorded two Saturday. I sure didn’t like him lollygagging after the second one, however, and it seems like he thinks a whole lot about himself.