FRISCO, TX — The 101st East-West Shrine Bowl practices reached a fever pitch Saturday at The Star. While the pads were popping in the trenches, the real show happened on the perimeter. Iowa’s Kaden Wetjen and Georgia’s Noah Thomas headlined a day where the offense found its rhythm, but the defensive backs didn’t go down without a scrap. Under the watchful eyes of NFL front offices, including a heavy New York Giants presence, the competitive 1-on-1 drills became the centerpiece of the afternoon session.
Twitch and Length: The Offensive Standouts
Kaden Wetjen might be the twitchiest player in Frisco. The Iowa product, measuring just under 5’9 and 195 pounds, turned defenders inside out during 1-on-1s. He capped his morning with a touchdown in the red zone period, snagging a dart from Mark Gronowski. Wetjen isn’t just a return specialist; he’s proving to be a nightmare in the slot.
On the East side, the “Georgia Trio” dominated the airwaves. Noah Thomas (6’4, 200 lbs) looked like a pro-ready X-receiver, using his massive frame to box out corners. His teammate, Dillon Bell, brought a different flavor—pure physicality. At 212 pounds, Bell bullied smaller defensive backs, showing why he’s a favorite for teams looking for a “power slot” option.
Other notable wins on the day included:
- Eric Rivers (Georgia Tech): Showed elite suddenness, winning three consecutive reps on slant-and-go routes.
- Anthony Smith (East Carolina): A late addition who acted like he belonged, burning the secondary for a 40-yard “touchdown” in team drills.
- Jeff Caldwell (Cincinnati): Displayed a massive 6’4 frame with legitimate vertical speed to stack defenders.
The Secondary Fights Back
It wasn’t a total washout for the defense. Toledo cornerback Avery Smith is quickly becoming the “sticky” corner of the week. After a dominant Friday, he followed up with two more pass breakups, mirroring receivers with frustrating precision. North Carolina’s Marcus Allen also stood his ground, playing perfect trail technique on a deep ball to force a difficult catch that eventually fell incomplete.
The play of the day on defense belonged to NC State safety Devon Marshall. Reading the quarterback’s eyes in 1-on-1s, he undercut a crossing route for a clean interception, drawing a roar from the West sideline. It’s that kind of instinctual play that moves a prospect from a Day 3 flyer to a priority Day 2 target.
“Every rep out here is a job interview. You can’t take a play off because everyone in the building is wearing a team logo. I just wanted to show I could win at the line and finish through contact.” — Noah Thomas, Georgia WR
Draft Stock and What’s Next
The Giants and several other teams are clearly scouting for depth at the perimeter positions. With the 2026 NFL Draft approaching, these 1-on-1 sessions carry more weight than the game itself. Scouts want to see the “dog” in these players—who competes when the lights are brightest and the coverage is tight.
Expect the intensity to ramp up tomorrow as the teams move into the final “heavy” practice before Tuesday’s game. If Wetjen and Thomas continue this trajectory, they won’t just be Shrine Bowl standouts; they’ll be rising fast on draft boards across the league.
