The East-West Shrine Bowl continued Monday in Frisco, TX with the third practice session leading up to Thursday’s game.
Here are five players who made a positive impression on the assorted scouts and media, including six Chargers personnel staffers, in attendance.
TE Dallin Holker, Colorado State
A BYU transfer who played the 2018 season in Provo before embarking on his LDS mission during 2019-20, Holker had one of the most productive seasons by a tight end in college football this season with 64 catches for 767 yards and 6 TDs. The Mackey Award winner primarily showed wins on shallow routes on film, but his time in Frisco has opened his route tree much more with good results. Holker’s best play of Monday’s session was a screen where he showed burst rare for a tight end during team period.
Projected as high as the third round in some places, Holker has also largely held up in blocking drills, showcasing an all-around skill set that could be an attractive option for the Chargers if they pass on the top end of this tight end class.
.@CSUFootball are Dallin Holker continues to make plays here. Smooth route runner that consistently finds himself open.
Has some Hayden Hurst to his game.
— Josh Carney (@ByJoshCarney) January 29, 2024
WR Tahj Washington, USC
After two seasons at Memphis playing with the similarly sized Calvin Austin III, Washington transferred to USC prior to the 2021 season and had at least 50 catches three years in a row at the Coliseum. What really pops is his average yards per catch, which increased from 11.1 in 2021 to 15.7 in 2022 and 18 in 2023.
Washington has been one of the best players in Frisco all week. Today he continued to showcase both advanced footwork on short routes and a fluidity in deeper concepts, including a corner route on Monday where he beat defensive standout Dadrion Taylor-Demerson with a catch reminiscent of a player six inches taller than him.
USC’s Tahj Washington shows off the speed and ball skills on this one. He’s had a fantastic week at the East-West Shrine Bowl. pic.twitter.com/mRlfiqzs0H
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) January 29, 2024
C Dylan McMahon, North Carolina State
Weighing in at just under 6’3” and 295 lbs, McMahon cuts a noticeably smaller figure than his fellow offensive linemen in Frisco. That hasn’t stopped him from walling off rushers in Frisco, however. McMahon has been at his best when blocking against power rushes, setting a stout anchor that takes advantage of his lower center of gravity and allows him to take control of the action.
In run period, McMahon also showcased power of his own moving forward off the line, consistently driving much larger defenders off the ball and sealing run lanes. While his size will take him off many teams’ boards, his nimble feet and powerful body will also endear him to plenty. Expect him to come off the board during Day 3 of April’s draft.
NC State’s Dylan McMahon has really handled power well throughout the East-West Shrine Bowl. Has been among the best IOL. pic.twitter.com/gFhQdovx3d
— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul) January 29, 2024
RB Jabari Small, Tennessee
Tennessee’s starter at running back in 2021 and 2022, Small racked up at least 700 yards in both seasons before taking more of a backseat to junior Jaylen Wright in 2023. (Wright accepted a Senior Bowl invitation, but pulled out Monday with an injury.) Injuries dampened Small’s career in 2022, when he played through a lengthy shoulder ailment, and this spring. Fully healthy for the week of practice in Frisco, Small has excelled with a shifty, slippery running style that propelled him to two touchdown runs in red zone period on Monday.
The less popular of Tennessee’s two running backs in the draft, Small faces an uphill battle towards being selected in April’s draft. But a solid day on Monday should interest teams looking for a change of pace back as a potential UDFA, an area the Chargers have consistently found contributors.
Jabari Small from @Vol_Football looking explosive. pic.twitter.com/SkMRzqPDtJ
— Khari Thompson (@kdthompson5) January 29, 2024
WR Bub Means, Pitt
Originally a Tennessee commit who practiced at defensive back for the Volunteers in 2019, Means transferred to Louisiana Tech to play wide receiver from 2020-21 before making the leap to Pitt, where he led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns in 2023.
Means has consistently gotten open all week in Frisco, but there have been few highlights making the rounds because he seems to always be on the wrong end of errant throws from Frisco’s quarterbacking crop. He finally fielded a catchable ball during red zone period, adjusting well to a throw slightly behind him. With an accurate quarterback at the controls, however, there may be room for Means to develop into a contributor for an NFL offense. He’s consistently been able to stack cornerbacks vertically but has also shown aptitude with crossing routes and slants during the week.
Nice route and win here by Bub Means. Creates separation on the slant. pic.twitter.com/LEYfM9VynP
— Nick Farabaugh (@Nick_Farabaugh) January 29, 2024
