For 100 years, the East-West Shrine Bowl has given some of the best college football players the opportunity to showcase their talent in one final all-star game.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Members of various conferences and divisions are selected to play in the game, going through four practice sessions before playing in the big match on Thursday. Arizona State safety Shamari Simmons broke out over the week as one of the top defensive back prospects in this upcoming draft.
Simmons was named to the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl West All-Practice team Thursday morning.
The 2025 Shrine Bowl East All-Practice Team ????
???? @kylemccord16, @CuseFootball
???? @JacoryMerritt15, @ArizonaFBall
???? @IsaiahNeyor, @HuskerFootball
???? @Orondegii, @CuseFootball
???? @esa_pole, @WSUCougarFB
???? @shuagray, @BeaverFootball
???? @PaytonPage55, @ClemsonFB
???? @Tylerbaron23,… pic.twitter.com/dO7GgKsNbh— East-West Shrine Bowl (@ShrineBowl) January 30, 2025
Simmons was announced as one of the events standouts just hours before the game.
The draft hopeful was on a tear during Shrine Bowl practices, earning the attention and respect from NFL evaluators as one of the best defensive back prospect playing in the game.
He first popped up on everyone’s radar Sunday, snagging a pick off of Minnesota quarterback Max Bosmer in practice. NFL Draft Diamonds DB evaluator Malik Boynton took to X after Simmon’s day 2 pick, raving about the Austin Peay transfer. He ran back to the social media platform the following day even more sure about his evaluation.
“Shamari Simmons been on one!!!” Boynton tweeted.
Shamari Simmons out of Arizona State is a fun prospect… he spent time at my Alma mater before transferring to Arizona State and taking the college football scene by storm. He had a VERY GOOD day today… ???? #NFLDraft #ShrineBowl @DraftDiamonds pic.twitter.com/dtwD37xXcX
— NFL Draft Diamonds – DB Evaluator (@MalikBoynton2) January 26, 2025
Shamari Simmons been on one!!!
The Austin Peay turned Arizona State Transfer has shown that he is a top-caliber defensive back in this year’s draft! #ShrineBowl #NFLDraft #NFLDraft2025 pic.twitter.com/3e0qJ2f4KQ
— NFL Draft Diamonds – DB Evaluator (@MalikBoynton2) January 27, 2025
Simmons was an X-factor in the Sun Devils’ star-studded secondary, forcing four fumbles and an interception this season. He made his claim to fame at the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl, forcing a fumble in the end zone for a safety and sparking the Sun Devils’ attempt at a comeback victory. He spent two seasons at FCS Austin Peay before transferring to ASU for his last two year. Simmons accumulated 212 tackles, nine interceptions, five forced fumbles 15 pass deflections and a sack in four years.
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Reporter Jordyn Bennett covers the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona State, Phoenix area sports and sports related topics. You can follow him on his X account, @j_bennett_live
