PHOTO BY DANIEL ZUNIGA

Article by Maximiliano Gallegos / For Couch Potato Sports

Frisco, Texas- The 101st Shrine Bowl kicked off Jan.22 as some of the most talented players in the country ventured to Dallas for the primetime NFL draft event.

Here are five players that I have my eyes on for Shrine week…

1. Skyler Bell, WIDE RECEIVER, Connecticut Huskies

-Stats/Accolades: 101 catches, 1,278 yards, 13 TDs, Consensus All-American, First Team All-American, Biletnikoff Award Finalist (nation’s top receiver), and New England Gold Helmet Award Winner. UConn school records: single-season receptions (101), single-season receiving touchdowns (13), and career yards per game (85.5). 

-Insights: Bell is a speed demon! The Uconn offense was Skyler Bell! Great after the catch, and at breaking tackles.

2. Roman Hemby, RUNNING BACK, Indiana Hoosiers

-Stats/Accolades: 230 carries, 1,120 rush yards, 7 rushing touchdowns, three-time Third Team All-Big Ten selection, & won 2025 National Championship with Indiana.

-Insights: Hemby is quick through the gaps akin to Treyvon Henderson and Jahmyr Gibbs. He has the ability to make quick cuts, and can turn on the jets.

3. Haynes King, QUATERBACK, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

-Stats/Accolades: 2,951 passing yards, 14 passing touchdowns, 953 rush yards, 15 rush touchdowns, 2025 ACC Player of the Year, 2025 Offensive Player of the Year, the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, First Team All-ACC, 10th place in Heisman voting, finalist for Johnny Unitas Golden Arm, and finalist for The Manning Award.

-Insights: Accurate, with the right coach and opportunity he could be a legit NFL starter. A ton of games under his belt, and ton of production as a runner. A bit of a gunslinger similar to Brock Purdy.

4. Jayden Williams, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, Mississippi Rebels 

-Stats/Accolades: Senior Bowl Top-300, two-time SEC Honor Roll student-athlete, and a three-time Athletic Director’s Honor Roll student-athlete.

-Insights: An amazing pass and run blocker, a real underrated prospect. Especially against NFL prospects in SEC defensive lines.

5. Max Brendson, FULLBACK, Michigan Wolverines  

-Stats/Accolades: 2 receptions, 11 yards, “Pardon My Take: Lowman Award,” Third Team All-Big Ten, and 2023 National Champion with Michigan.

-Insight: Tough, leader, dawg, blue collar. One of the great blockers in the Big Ten for one of the toughest teams. Earned his keep as a walk-on.