Scouts from dozens of NFL franchises lined the turf. They came hunting for raw power, and SDSU delivered. Hagen grabbed the spotlight early. The All-MVFC powerhouse attacked the bags with raw violence and rare agility for a man his size. Evaluators tracked his every step, confirming what his 1,259 career pass-blocking snaps already told them: he is a brick wall. He fired out of his stance with a heavy initial punch, proving his gap-scheme power translates beautifully to the pro level.
Then came the thunder. Running back Julius Loughridge put his reported 390-pound power clean strength on full display. He didn’t just run the 40-yard dash; he attacked the turf. His cuts during the shuttle drills echoed through the quiet facility. You could almost feel the tension in the air when the scouts held their breath, clicking their stopwatches simultaneously as Loughridge crossed the line. This is a back who generated 4,106 career rushing yards, and he looked every bit the punishing downhill runner the film promises.
Even East-West Shrine Bowl Offensive MVP Mark Gronowski spun the ball with precision. He lofted deep outs and drove deep digs, hitting his targets in stride. The chilly March wind outside didn’t deter the scouts, who turned the indoor sidelines into a sea of NFL team logos.
“We don’t build underdogs here. We build professionals. When you step on this turf, you aren’t hoping to get drafted. You’re showing them exactly why you will be.”
— Anonymous NFL Area Scout, via SJAC Sidelines
The 2026 NFL Draft in late April just got a shakeup in the middle rounds. Hagen cemented himself as a premier guard prospect. Teams looking for interior nastiness will circle his name on Day 3. Loughridge forced his way into the late-round rotational back conversation. His sheer contact balance and physical running style scream short-yardage asset at the next level. SDSU consistently churns out Sunday-ready talent, and this 2026 class just secured their spot on draft boards across the league.
