The final day of full pads practice is complete at the Shrine Bowl, and teams are preparing to kick off the game Tuesday night. Sunday was a day when the defensive players really showed up and stood out for the scouts on hand.
Darrell Jackson Jr./NT/Florida State Seminoles
Jackson has been an indomitable force on the defensive line the past three days, showing outstanding power and surprising athleticism. His leg drive is incredible, as Jackson manhandled just about every blocker he faced, driving them off the ball, disrupting the timing of quarterbacks, and forcing them to move from the pocket.
NCAA, College League, USA Football 2025: Florida State At Clemson Nov 08 November 8, 2025: Florida State Seminoles defensive lineman Darrell Jackson Jr. 6 sits on the bench after arriving at the NCAA Football matchup against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, SC. Scott Kinser/CSM Credit Image: Â Scott Kinser/Cal Media Clemson Sc United States EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20251108_zma_c04_261.jpg ScottxKinserx csmphotothree440260
At the same time, he displayed a lot of athleticism and the ability to move laterally with quickness. Jackson was good each day of practice, but he was unstoppable on Sunday. He checks all the boxes on the field, though off-field concerns have raised red flags.
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Aaron Hall/DT/Duke Blue Devils
Not on the scouting radar before the season, Hall capitalized on a terrific senior campaign with a terrific performance here at the Shrine Bowl, saving his best for the final day. Slightly undersized at 296 pounds but super quick and athletic, Hall consistently beat foes off the snap with a tremendous first step and quick hands.
NCAA, College League, USA Football 2024: North Carolina at Duke Sep 28 September 28, 2024: North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton 28 is stoped by Duke Blue Devils defensive tackle Aaron Hall 99 during the first half of the ACC Football matchup at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, NC. Scott Kinser/CSM Credit Image: Â Scott Kinser/Cal Media Durham Nc United States EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20240928_zma_c04_277.jpg ScottxKinserx csmphotothree299526
Aaron is a great technician who plays with leverage and gets underneath blockers, giving him a decided advantage. He easily moves in every direction of the field, and he showed a great closing burst in the play on Sunday. He lacks bulk and struggles getting off blocks, getting easily out-positioned by opponents, yet his frame should fill out in time. Hall has shown enough in the past five months to get late-round consideration for a team needing a one-gap/three-technique lineman.
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Wesley Williams/Edge/Duke Blue Devils
Like his teammate, Williams is slightly undersized yet is an athletic, explosive playmaker. He showed the ability to exploit bigger offensive tackles around the edge or with inside moves. Williams was never off his feet and displayed terrific agility to get around blockers.
Wesley’s ability to quickly change direction, as well as his lateral speed chasing the action in backside pursuit were impressive. Williams will be a terrific Day 3 pick as a situational pass rusher.
Jaden Dugger/LB/Louisiana State Tigers
Playmaking is nothing new for Dugger, as the senior linebacker finished with 125 tackles for the Rajin’ Cajuns last season. He displayed a complete game during Shrine practices and was terrific in coverage Sunday, defending several passes in drills, then making a terrific interception during the full scrimmage.
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Dugger has terrific size at 6-foot-4.5 and 240 pounds as well as athleticism, as he’s expected to time the 40 under 4.65 seconds during predraft workouts. Graded as a street free agent prospect before the season, Dugger now has a real chance to land in the land rounds.
Chris Hilton Jr./WR/Louisiana State Tigers
Hilton is a bit of an enigma. A track sprinter graded as a middle-round choice coming into the season, he caught just 10 passes last year after nine receptions in 2024. Yet he looked like a seasoned pass catcher here in Frisco, making receptions in the intermediate as well as deep field. Hilton is super quick and immediately gets to top speed, and he had defensive backs trailing him on almost every snap Sunday.
December 27, 2025, Houston, Texas, USA: Houston Cougars defensive back Will James 15 tackles Louisiana State Tigers wide receiver Chris Hilton Jr. 3 during the Kinders Texas Bowl between the University of Houston Cougars and the LSU Tigers at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on December 27, 2025. Houston USA – ZUMAp213 20251227_znp_p213_097 Copyright: xLynnxPenningtonx
Hilton is smooth and caught the ball extremely well, especially on deep throws, where he tracked the ball and made difficult over-the-shoulder receptions. Hilton proved he has the athletic ability and receiver skills to play on Sundays, but he must quickly translate both into on-field production.
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Jalon Daniels/QB/Kansas Jayhawks
Daniels proved why he’s a frustrating quarterback to scout during Shrine practice. He ripped apart defenses for most of the morning on Sunday, making some magnificent tosses and proving he can make all the throws. Daniels fired the ball through tight windows and drove deep passes downfield, and many of his throws were right on the money, as receivers caught the ball at full speed without breaking stride.
NCAA, College League, USA Football: Kansas at Missouri Sep 6, 2025 Columbia, Missouri, USA Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels 6 rolls out to pass during the second half against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Columbia Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium Missouri USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xJayxBiggerstaffx 20250906_jdb_ba4_032
Jalon also showed a lot of confidence and emotion on the field. Yet on a few instances, Daniels was way off the mark and scattered throws, which was his modus operandi in college. He’s a gifted athlete who beats opponents with his legs or arm, and if a team can harness all those skills into consistently accurate passes, they will get a steal in Daniels.
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