Standouts from day one of the East-West Shrine Game in Las Vegas

I’m like a pig in slop this week. My favorite time of year is “draft season,” when I get to travel across the country on what I call the “All-Star Road Trip.” The first stop this year – Las Vegas, Nev.

I’ve gone to the East-West Shrine Bowl every year, except for 2021 when the game was cancelled due to COVID, since 2007. From Houston to Orlando to St. Petersburg to Vegas, I’ve followed this game for some time and admired the talent I’ve seen shine during this week. Watching football practice and seeing these young players, hoping to be drafted into the NFL, and writing up their performance in report form is a joy for me to do.

Things kicked off Saturday, and I could tell immediately that things were going to be exciting once again with the talent on display.

The @ShrineBowl has crushed it this year. The facility. The schedule. The player access. All top notch. A very scout and media friendly event. I've been going every year since 2007 and they are doing an OUTSTANDING job in Vegas. pic.twitter.com/hwQQuXxI9L

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) January 29, 2022

Who was standing out on the first day of practice here at the Shrine Bowl? Here is my report.

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Oregon State TE Teagan Quitoriano

I love when players jump out immediately at practice. I noticed the Oregon State helmet as I stood on the sidelines wearing an Oregon State mask. My daughter is in the pre-med program at Corvallis, so I wanted to keep track of Beavers tight end Teagan Quitoriano since I’m familiar with the campus and the program.

Not only did Quitoriano make my notebook, but he was making so many plays that I actually stopped making notes about him. He’s a big-bodied tight end who has a smooth gait in the route tree. Quitoriano is good after the catch and is a bit faster than some might project. I like his concentration when passes are coming into small windows. He does a good job of securing the pass with defenders draped all over him.

I have a soft spot for Oregon State…mainly from the dent in my wallet they cause b/c my daughter is pre-med at Corvallis. LOL

TE Teagan Quitoriano just kept making plays. Uses his size to block out defenders. GREAT concentration, caught passes that were off the mark today.

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) January 29, 2022

I want to see if Quitoriano continues to stand out as the week of practice goes on. I’ve done this for 16 years, and there are plenty of day 1 stars who don’t do much of anything the rest of the week. The players who stand out consistently are generally those who go on to have success in the NFL.

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USC RB Keontay Ingram

Arguably the best player of the day, regardless of position, was USC running back Keontay Ingram. He’s got a powerful stride as a runner and almost punishes the ground as the explodes after the handoff or after he makes a break. Ingram has instinct as a runner and certainly knows how to set up defenders in the open field.

I was really impressed with his effort as a receiver, but it was a play he didn’t make which sticks in my brain. Ingram went to catch a pass out of the backfield, and he wasn’t able to secure the pass which was off the mark. It would have been an amazing catch if he could’ve done it, but the ball was just out of reach as he stretched out to get it. Ingram was pissed off after that play. He picked up the ball, ran it to the end zone, then ran back to the huddle. In the huddle he was clearly frustrated – and the next time he was up he took that frustration out on the linebacker tasked with covering him with a touchdown catch. I love that he was motivated to make a play, and Ingram didn’t let a “bad” play stick with him.

the best player today, regardless of position, was USC RB Keontay Ingram. Ran with power in his stride, amazing moves after the catch. ALL OUT EFFORT with his game. No matter what he was tasked with doing, Ingram dominated the drill. @ShrineBowl @1043TheFan #NFLDraft

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) January 29, 2022

It’s difficult to decipher what you see from running backs during practice when there is no live tackling. I’ve watched enough Ingram on film to know that he’s got what it takes to at least be a quality reserve runner with the upside to start in the NFL.

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Baylor DB Kalon Barnes

The one-on-one drills were hyper competitive on Saturday. Baylor’s Kalon Barnes did a good job of covering his man, no matter the route that was thrown at him. I liked his stop-start ability in coverage, and he certainly has what scouts call “click and close” ability.

It was Barnes play downfield that really stood out to me. Barnes will bait receivers into revealing their routes, but he’s got the hip swivel to stay with them down the sidelines. There was one play where Barnes turned and followed his receiver downfield only to bat the ball away at the last second. It was almost like he was blocking a shot in basketball. A great play which shows his timing, instincts and athleticism all in one.

I liked what I saw today from Baylor DB Kalon Barnes. A lot of fight in his game. Batted away a would-be TD and didn't even talk about it. He just goes to work and lets his play speak for itself. Aggressive. Motivated. @ShrineBowl @1043TheFan #NFLDraft

— Cecil Lammey (@CecilLammey) January 29, 2022

I love the competitive spirit that Barnes showed today and on film at Baylor. Barnes is the type of player who can compete as a reserve early on in his career, but the talent to be a starter is there.

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Quick Notes

Watching the wide receivers warm up, I liked the footwork that North Carolina State WR Emeka Emezie showed. It was interesting to note he had soft feet when making hard cuts. To describe it means he’s light on his feet but can jam into the ground and explode out of his cuts.

I like the recovery speed of Houston DB Damarion Williams. He waits patiently for a receiver to make his break, and on downfield throws he can get into the back pocket of the player he’s covering.

There’s a good chance that Oklahoma State WR Davontavean Martin has patterned his route-running ability after Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy.

The defense was certainly rallying during the West practice on Saturday. Ole Miss LB Chance Campbell got his hands on a pass and returned it for what could have been a touchdown.

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