East-West Shrine Bowl 2025: Where Futures Are Sometimes Made!?!?

The 2025 East-West Shrine Game has concluded, leaving behind a trail of hopeful smiles, disappointed sighs If you missed this gridiron gladiatorial contest, fear not! Your friendly neighborhood football analyst is here to break down the highs, lows, and everything in between in a game dominated by the East Squad.

Glimpses of Greatness

• RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Team East: Let's just say Merritt stole the show. 97 yards rushing on 11 attempts (8.8 yards per carry), a couple of catches and two TDs. Merritt showed great vision, good speed, the ability to cut off blocks, and some nifty moves.   Note: I give RB Andrew Henry a slight nod as well. He was added to the roster late because of DNPs, but you would have thought he was there all week, great receiver out the backfield and some good vision out the backfield.

• WR Efton Chisma III, Team East: This man was snatching passes out of the air like a wide out playing against your flag football team. A man amongst boys. Crisp routes, sticky hands, and an uncanny ability to find the holes in the zone. Even showed something on punt and kick returns. Someone show him the money.

  
  

• ILB Kain Medrano, Team East: Medrano was all over the field. He was flying around the field like a caffeinated honeybee. Only 215 pounds but can tackle. Want a linebacker who plays with a chip on their shoulder and some swagger and attitude? Late first round, early second is where to find him.

  
  

• DT C.J. West, Team West: Solid performance from an interior defensive lineman. Took on blocks, shed blocks and disrupted runs while he was on the field. West has a high motor and can rush the passer as well.

  I also have to mention DT Nash Nutmacher, Team East: good push and quickness off the ball. He gives great effort and pursuit.

  
  

• FS Shamari Simmons, Team West: A true hitter. Bring the wood. Great in run support and all over the field making tackles.

Honorable mention to Shilo Sanders, played well enough and had a couple of passes defensed.

• QB Cam Miller, Team East: Miller was the best QB this day. 8 of 13 for 100 yards, a rushing TD and a 2pt conversion. He showed that even a small school quarterback has a chance. He wasn't perfect but made plays with his arm and his feet when he had to. Throws a good quick ball and makes smart decisions. Oh, and he is a National Champion so.......

Side Note: To be honest, the quarterback play was…let's just call it "intermural" at best. Some throws were so errant, they probably landed in a different time zone. It was like watching blindfolded darts out there. Passes missed their targets by five to ten yards in most cases. Not an impressive outing by many of the hopefuls. I do cut them some slack, new centers, new receivers, new plays and new coaches. Offensive line play was difficult at best as well. Once again hard to expect O-line cohesion with two weeks of practice and guys you have never played next to.

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My "Expert Analysis" (Because I Watched the Game, So I'm Qualified):

• Merritt is a steal: Should be a first rounder, probably go in the second.

• Chisma is the real deal: this receiver is going to be a star in the NFL. He has all the tools and the swagger to be a game-changer.

• Merdano the mighty: This linebacker is going to be a fan favorite. He plays with heart and intensity that's contagious. You'll see him on Sundays.

  
  

Final Thoughts:

The East-West Shrine Bowl is always a fun and unpredictable event. It's a chance for players to showcase their talents, get noticed, and maybe move up a few draft spots. It's also a chance for us, the fans, to witness some truly bizarre and hilarious moments. So, grab your snacks, crack open a cold one, and enjoy.