2024 Shrine Bowl: Top Observations from Day 3 as safeties and offensive linemen stand out

FRISCO, TEXAS — Nebraska safety Omar Brown made the play of the day for the East team on his first rep during 11 on 11s on Monday.

Brown lined up as the single high safety. The offense called a play-action rollout pass that was intended to go to Michigan wide receiver Cornelius Johnson on a post route. The play would’ve had a chance of working if Brown hadn’t maintained depth in his backpedal, but the 6-foot, 201-pound safety stayed disciplined and didn’t give space for the pass to be completed.

Still, Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary attempted the pass in the middle of the field. Brown tracked the ball, elevated and came down with an interception.

There were plenty of more plays and players that stood out inside the Ford Center for Day 3 of East-West Shrine Bowl practices.

Here are some of the top takeaways.

South Dakota State OL Mason McCormick shows out

Mason McCormick blocks with a purpose. It’s clearly evident when watching the 6-foot-4, 310-pound Jackrabbit.

“Very intentional. I play with an edge,” McCormick told CHGO. “I’m somebody who believes there is only one way to play this game and when you step in between those white lines, it’s either kill or be killed. You just got to go out there and play as hard as you can. Ultimately you will get beat at some point, but just compete as best as you can.”

McCormick credited his time at South Dakota State for establishing a competitive nature that was represented every time he and his teammates stepped onto the field.

McCormick has consistently competed in and put together three strong days of practice. The offensive lineman has also shown his versatility, playing at both guard spots and center.

“I just want to be ready to get on the field however I can,” McCormick said. “I want to be able to go into a program and work extremely hard and be ready to help the team out in any way I possibly can. It’s just who I am and that’s who I will continue to be.”

1 on 1s

• Ole Miss safety Daijahn Anthony looked smooth in the individual drills. I thought he got in and out of his backpedal more efficiently than the other safeties on the East team. Anthony showed off his coverage skills in a 1-on-1 rep against Illinois tight end Tip Reiman. The 6-foot-4, 273-pound tight end tried to out muscle 5-foot-11, 191-pound safety by running through him on an out route, but Anthony held his ground, kept his balance and broke on the out route to force an incomplete pass.
  
• Isaiah Williams won his 1-on-1 rep against Syracuse defensive back Isaiah Johnson. Williams did a good job coming back to the football on a hitch route. He has shown consistently that he can accelerate and change direction with complete control. Williams has stood out through three practices.
  
• North Carolina defensive lineman Myles Murphy is a handful. He completely dominated Holy Cross offensive lineman CJ Hanson and drove him back during 1 on 1s. Hanson did recover on the second rep and held his ground. When Murphy keeps his pad level low, he is a force. If he can consistently work on that, he will make some plays in the trenches.

• Arkansas Trajan Jeffcoat won back-to-back reps against South Florida left tackle Donovan Jennings. On Jeffcoat’s second rep, he showed off some power and a long arm and put Jennings right on the ground.
  
• Iowa defensive lineman Logan Lee and Miami center Matt Lee had some competitive 1-on-1 reps. Lee won the first by using some good hand fighting. Logan swiped down Matt’s hands and put him on the artificial turf. On the next rep, Matt got inside Logan’s shoulder pads, stayed square and blocked him long enough to win.
  
• Purdue running back Tyrone Tracy ran a pivot route against Florida State linebacker Kalen DeLoach. Tracy did a good job of selling the over route to the sideline and then planting his foot to work back in towards the middle of the field.

More from the Shrine Bowl

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