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Defenders Boost 2015 NFL Draft Stock In Shrine Game

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By @Spencer_NFL

Za'Darius Smith Kentucky

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The 90th annual East-West Shrine Game turned into an old school SEC battle as the East came away with a 19-3. As expected, the quarterbacks weren’t in rhythm with the wide receivers, but the pass rush in this game made it look even worse.

Early on, Kentucky DE Za’Darius Smith dominated this game. He beat Arizona left tackle Mickey Baucus twice, including once for a sack, on the West’s first offensive drive. He followed that with pass-altering pressures on the next two drives. One of those pressures forced Nevada QB Cody Fajardo into an interception. Whether it was Baucus or San Diego State OT Terry Poole, the West linemen could not slow Smith in the early going.

Once the line began to focus on slowing Smith, Miami DE Anthony Chickillo took over. The late-round prospect, who was playing out of position for the Hurricanes, excelled on the four-man front. Not only was Chickillo a disturbance in the passing game, he also slowed down the West’s rushing attack. Add in the production of LSU‘s Jermauria Rasco, and the East defensive ends were unstoppable.

While the defensive ends deservedly received the majority of praise during the broadcast, the remaining defenders did their jobs as well. Florida Atlantic free safety Damian Parms had two interceptions and Michigan LB Jake Ryan put on a tackling clinic. This game was especially critical to Ryan’s NFL Draft stock, as he had a rough week in practice.

Among other East defenders who stood out were DT Derrick Lott (Chattanooga), LB Edmond Robinson (Newberry) and Justin Coleman (Tennessee). Lott and Robinson are projected to go undrafted, while I have a Round 7 projection on Coleman. The West finished this game with 117 total yards – 75 passing and 42 rushing. Other than Arizona State QB Taylor Kelly and Arizona WR Austin Hill, I didn’t see any offensive players on the West who helped their stock.

Players in All-Star events like this one aren’t judged by statistics or flash. It’s all about doing your job, as Bill Belichick would say. In the 2015 East-West Shrine Game, Smith, Chickillo and to a lesser-degree Rasco, boosted their draft stock by doing just that.

Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Related:
 2015 NFL Draft: Top 15 Prospects In East-West Shrine Game

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