We’re now made it through two days at the East-West Shrine Bowl and the second day allowed a new group of players to draw eyes as they stood out in preparation of their game on Saturday.
Here are the top offensive standouts from Tuesday’s practice.
EAST TEAM
QB Tommy Stevens – Mississippi State
The East team has three prototypical quarterbacks, all standing 6-foot-4 and weighing between 225 and 230 pounds, but it was former Bulldog Tommy Stevens who seemed to stand a little taller on Tuesday.
He threw the ball well, but what stood out to me was his ability to make plays when the pressure got through. In nine games over his lone season with Mississippi State, Stevens completed over 60 percent of his passes for 1,155 yards, 11 touchdowns and five touchdowns while adding 381 yards and four more touchdowns on the ground.
@HailStateFB QB Tommy Stevens feels the pressure and flips the pass out to @GamecockFB RB Tavien Feaster. pic.twitter.com/VSZuRs4Pq1
— PewterReport (@PewterReport) January 14, 2020
@HailStateFB QB Tommy Stevens making another play under pressure, this time escaping the pocket and getting yards with his legs.#HailState pic.twitter.com/gepVodAm8u
— PewterReport (@PewterReport) January 14, 2020
WEST TEAM
QB Tyler Huntley – Utah
Tyler Huntley had the best season of his college career in 2019 as a senior, leading Utah to an 11-3 record and an appearance in the Pac-12 championship game behind 3,092 passing yards and 19 touchdowns with just four interceptions. Huntley did so with a completion percentage of 73.1 percent and added another 290 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
Huntley stood out at Tuesday’s practice, making plays with his feet and completing some tough passes downfield during both one-on-one and 11-on-11 drills.
@Utah_Football QB Tyler Huntley keeps the ball and takes it for a big run. pic.twitter.com/m6Sdbv4Svl
— PewterReport (@PewterReport) January 14, 2020
WR Binjimen Victor – Ohio State
Binjimen Victor, a Florida native, was one of many dangerous weapons for Ohio State as they put together the fourth-most prolific offense among FBS football teams in 2019, catching 35 passes for 573 yards and six touchdowns. His 16.4 yards per reception ranked him eighth in the Big 10 this past season and he’s carried that success into Shrine Week.
After dropping a pass in one-on-one drills early, Victor put together one of the more impressive performances from Tuesday’s practices, including a brilliant double move (shown below) that went for a touchdown from Huntley.
Great double move by @OhioStateFB WR Victor Binjimen to beat his man and haul in the long pass. #OhioState #OSU pic.twitter.com/wTQmvqVzrV
— Taylor Jenkins (@TJenkinsTampa) January 14, 2020
WR Nick Westbrook – Indiana
Indiana’s Nick Westbrook had his best season as a sophomore, finishing 2017 with 995 receiving yards and six touchdowns, but nearly matched that career-high with five touchdowns in 2019 despite just 572 receiving yards on 42 receptions.
Westbrook had a solid day on Tuesday, making plays throughout the day and coming up with a tough over-the-shoulder reception from Huntley late, beating one of Pewter Report’s top performers from Monday, Keith Washington.
Great throw and catch from Tyler Huntley to @IndianaFootball WR Nick Westbrook.
Very solid day from Westbrook. pic.twitter.com/z1G2KkMz7t
— PewterReport (@PewterReport) January 14, 2020