The second practice of the West team in the East-West Shrine was held in St. Petersburg, Florida inside Tropicana Field.
In speaking with some team sources, they felt the overall talent at this year’s East-West Shrine was down and did not see a definite second-day pick on either squad. Some players have helped himself this week, but this year’s East-West Shrine does not look as talented compared to other recent years.
There were a few standouts from the West practice on Tuesday, with a number of players showing progress on Day 2. Stanford linebacker Casey Toohill had a really good practice on Tuesday, displaying his versatility. To get started, Toohill easily beat blocks from Tennessee tight end Dominick Wood-Anderson. Toohill rocked Wood-Anderson back with power and then cut to the inside for his first win. He later used speed around the corner to get his second win. Toohill also had pretty good coverage on a wheel route from Illinois Reggie Corbin to help force an incompletion.
In the pass-rushing one-one-ones, Toohill used a fast spin move to the inside to get the better of Utah tackle Darrin Paulo, but Paulo won a rematch by using his length to tie up Toohill on a speed rush. In the team scrimmage, Toohill got pushed out of his gap by Alberta tackle Carter O’Donnell. Toohill would fit best in the NFL as a 3-4 outside linebacker who has the help of a five-technique end to help keep tackles off of him. In that scheme, Toohill could be a backup edge rusher, special teams contributor, and possibly work into a rotational pass-rusher role.
One player who did well on Monday and continued his strong week was Ohio State wide receiver Binjimen Victor. He had a rough start to Tuesday, dropping a dig route after getting separation in the one-on-ones, but after that he was lights out, getting open and making secure catches. Binjimen ran a nice out route to get open versus Missouri cornerback DeMarkus Acy while also showing enough quickness to get past defensive backs running vertically. This was a nice session from Binjimen, and this week could help him to be a third-day pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Oregon guard Calvin Throckmorton continued his quality week with a solid session on Tuesday. He showed nice technique and polish thus far through two sessions. Throckmorton does not have overwhelming size, strength, quickness or athleticism, but he is able to find a way to be aggressive and is a scrappy blocker. Team sources say the best position for Throckmorton in the NFL would be right guard, but he could also be cross-trained at center and tackle. Throckmorton could be a third-day pick from the 2020 NFL Draft who is a valuable game-day backup at a few positions.
Two linebackers who have been solid this week are Fresno State’s Mykal Walker and San Diego State’s Kyahva Tezino. Team sources singled out Walker as having the skills to compete. He could be a third-day pick who starts out as a backup linebacker and special teams contributor. Tezino did well in the pass-coverage one-on-ones, and West linebacker coach Willie McGinist praised Tezino for having “good eyes and leverage.” Linebackers who can contribute in pass coverage are always in demand, so that really helps Tezino.
Baylor defensive tackle Bravvion Roy had a strong practice on Tuesday, literally running over some offensive linemen in the one-on-ones. After pushing through for a few wins, he had a phenomenal rep on which he knocked La.-Lafayette guard Kevin Dotson flat on his butt before charging down the pocket. That rush caused a murmur from the scouts, and it was one the most impressive one-on-one pass-rush reps of the week. Roy may not get drafted, but he could compete for a roster spot as a backup nose tackle.
In contention for best pass of the week came in this session courtesy of North Texas quarterback Mason Fine, who lofted in a beautiful bomb to Indiana wide receiver Nick Westbrook. Fine demonstrated superb timing and precision on the throw to drop it in to Westbrook along the deep sideline and between two defenders.
Fine is an undersized quarterback, but he has enough arm strength with some athleticism. Given his gritty style of play, Fine battles and really competes to move the ball. Team sources have said Fine has the potential to be a Case Keenum-type backup quarterback in the NFL.
WalterFootball.com will have more recaps from the East-West Shrine practices on Wednesday along with a run-down of the post-practice team interviews. Follow @walterfootball for updates.
