Since 1925, the East-West Shrine Bowl has become a cherished fixture in American football. The 100th edition of this storied event will take place on January 30, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX.
As the longest-running college all-star game in the nation, it gives top college athletes a golden opportunity to showcase their talents to NFL scouts and a nationwide TV audience. But what goes into the selection process for these standout players?
East-West Shrine Bowl Selection Process Explained
The East-West Shrine Bowl isn’t just any college football game; it’s a gateway to the NFL for top players. Therefore, the selection is competitive. It starts with evaluating players’ potential to make it to NFL rosters. The opinions of all 32 NFL teams are considered during this selection.
Generally, players are divided into East and West teams using the Mississippi River, but exceptions are made to ensure the best talents are chosen regardless of their school’s location.
Which Players Are Eligible for the East-West Shrine Bowl?
A player must meet specific eligibility criteria to receive an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl. The eligibility criteria are as follows:
- The player must have the potential to make NFL rosters.
- The player must be a college senior eligible to play for their school.
- All divisions are considered.
How Many Players Get Invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl?
The number of players invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl isn’t specified, but the event traditionally features around 100 players. The athletes are divided into East and West teams, each with a full roster that includes offense, defense, and special teams.
In recent years, the annual all-star event has consistently improved its NFL draft results, attracting an increasing amount of top-tier talent with each edition. The 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl made history by featuring two top-50 draft picks, 10 players selected within the first 104 picks, and a record-breaking 57 total players drafted.
Eric Galko, the Shrine Bowl’s director of football and player personnel, is optimistic that the 2025 talent pool will surpass last year’s impressive draft success.
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