Shilo Sanders, Croskey-Merritt Excite CFB Fans as East Beats West in 2025 Shrine Bowl
Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIJanuary 31, 2025
Paras Griffin/Getty Images
The East crushed the West 25-0 in the 100th East-West Shrine Bowl, which took place Thursday in AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
The bowl annually highlights some of college football’s pro prospects en route to the NFL draft. In recent years, NFL stars such as San Francisco 49ers running back Brock Purdy, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers and Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco have participated in the contest.
This year, Arizona running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt led the East with 97 rushing yards and two scores on just 11 carries.
NFL Network @nflnetworkThe East team gets on the board first!
Jacory Croskey-Merritt finds the end zone @ArizonaFBall
📺: The 100th @ShrineBowl on NFL Network
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NFL Network @nflnetworkJacory Croskey-Merritt with some burst! @ArizonaFBall
📺: The 100th @ShrineBowl on NFL Network
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/LilXUpYI0V
NFL Network @nflnetworkJacory Croskey-Merritt with his 2nd TD of the game! @ArizonaFBall
📺: The 100th @ShrineBowl on NFL Network
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/Xcr7wCjNmI
On defense, East showed no mercy. South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back O’Donnell Fortune took a 65-yard interception to the house for six. That helped the East take a 22-0 halftime lead.
NFL Network @nflnetworkPICK-6! O’Donnell Fortune takes it to the 🏠 for the East! @GamecockFB
📺: The 100th @ShrineBowl on NFL Network
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The defensive dominance continued in the second half, with the highlight being a one-handed interception from Ole Miss defensive lineman JJ Pegues.
NFL Network @nflnetworkOnly one hand needed for JJ Pegues 👀 @OleMissFB
📺: The 100th @ShrineBowl on NFL Network
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Colorado safety Shilo Sanders also impressed for East, making plays in the secondary and helping his team pitch a shutout. He played quite well in coverage and served an integral role in the defense’s dominance.
He and Croskey-Merritt got much recognition from fans during this big win.
Charles Goldman @goldmctNFLJacory Croskey-Merritt has the juice.
Stealth Bomb!! @sbthapSWAC Alum Jacory Croskey-Merritt is balling!!#shrinebowl
Nicole Hutchison @nhutchisontvRB Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Arizona)
So far i like him. 13:29 left in the 2Q and he already has 6 caries for 61 yards averaging 10.2 and 1 TD. H’es got speed (easily the fastest on the field when he’s on) & dangerous in space.
-Hadn’t played much in 2024, but in the one game he…
Z 🇿🇦🇹🇭 @calfkickzachJacory Croskey Merritt is electric. In a stacked RB class he will be serverlet undervalued because of eligibility issues this year. Still cracks my top 20 at RB. Wish Arizona was able to have this guy this season. #ShrineBowl #EastWest
Melanie Friedlander @GirlsurgeonJacory Croskey-Merritt is a true 3 down back. He is one of my favorite @ShrineBowl players this year.
Hunter @HunterCaleb98I’m sold Croskey-Merritt can come to Indianapolis
Justin LaSalata @justinlasalataRB Croskey-Merritt making a strong case for game MVP.
Dude is balling tonight. #ShrineBowl #NFLDraft
RossyYouTube @RossyYouTubeI think we have all learned this week that Shilo Sanders is a gamer.
Yes the practices are concerning but when it’s game time he’s in go mode.
Between The Uprights @BetweenUprightsAfter some rough practices, Shilo Sanders has been balling. Making great open field tackles, this one stopped the East short of the sticks forcing a punt!
Terrance Peteris @T_Peters27Shilo Sanders DB
Shown he can cover in depth, follow on, vs underneath routes
Side to side speed, can wrap up well, finishes tackles very well too.
Ball recognition& tracking ability also out there
Mike Zimmelman @MZimmelNice job by Shilo Sanders cutting that route to tip Cam Miller’s pass. #EastWestShrineBowl
Let’s Talk Broncos (Muse) @LTB_MuseGREAT COVERAGE BY SHILO SANDERS!
Chandler🤙🏼 @ChannyMillShilo Sanders we saw that angle
College football showcases will continue Saturday with the Senior Bowl from Mobile, Alabama.
