The 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl concluded recently and we’re deep in the middle of the All-Star game season. Players from all over the country and all levels of college merged in Hawaii to showcase their talents and catch the eyes of scouts. There are some players who really stood out on the defensive side of the ball that you should be taking notes on. The West Team may have won the game 12-3, but the east Team had some of the game’s biggest IDP standouts. Let's look at the five defensive players that stood out the most.
Jose Ramirez, DE, Eastern Michigan
Let's get started with one of the game's best defensive standouts. Many of you may be wondering who this guy is? But make no mistake, he’s a name you better have on your draft boards. Jose Ramirez comes from Eastern Michigan of the MAC. He led the MAC in both TFLs (19½) and sacks (12) while ranking 1st and 2nd nationally in those categories. Many questioned the level of competition and rightfully so, but he more than held his own in the East-West Shrine Bowl. Ramirez would record four tackles, three solos, 1½ TFLs, and two sacks against some of the best seniors in college football. Does all of this sound familiar? It should as Las Vegas Raiders DE Maxx Crosby came from Eastern Michigan too. He’s one of the fastest-rising rookie stocks this offseason and if you can’t get in on one of the top-rated edge rushers, Ramirez is the guy you want.
Ben VanSumeren, LB, Michigan State
The next IDP standout is Ben VanSumeren from Michigan State. Unless you’re a true Big 10 fan, you may not recognize the name. He only had one year of true volume for the Spartans and I like many others will question that. However, after his performance at the East-West Shrine Bowl, I will have to go back and watch his game film. VanSumeren finished the season 3rd on the team with 81 tackles but led all defenders in the East-West Shrine Bowl with seven. He finished the game with seven stops, four being solos, one TFL, and one sack. It was nice to see him get the pass rush opportunities as that’s not something he did much of in college. Currently not someone I am targeting for my fantasy football rosters, but I will take note of him in my leagues with super deep rosters.
Scott Matlock, DT, Boise State
If you have been following my All-Star game articles, then you have heard me mention DT Scott Matlock of Boise State. He was a force at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and while the numbers don’t quite reflect it he performed very well for the West Team at the East-West Shrine Bowl as well. Matlock had just two tackles, with one being solo but he was constantly doubled teamed, eating up running lanes, and affecting the QB pocket. It’s not always about the stats for a defensive lineman. While that’s not what fantasy managers want to hear, don’t discount Matlock as a fantasy option. He has the size, motor, hustle, and skills to be a quality defensive tackle at the next level. If you play in position-specific leagues then Matlock is definitely a player that you are going to want to take a real hard look at.
BJ Johnson, DE, Stephen F Austin
As I continue the IDP standout list, here’s another name that you may not have heard of but definitely should know, BJ Johnson from Div-II school Stephen F Austin. Small school prospects have an uphill battle from the start but it’s not one that can’t be overcome. Johnson showed in the East-West Shrine Bowl that he belongs in the NFL and deserves the shot to prove it. He’s a very raw prospect as he played just 16 games for SFA but produced 42 tackles, 13 TFLs, and nine sacks for the Lumberjacks. A small sample I know but I saw the same type of production in the East-West Shrine Bowl. He performed very well, recording four total tackles, two being solos, two TFLs, and 1½ sacks. That’s not the type of production you accidentally fall into. Looking for an IDP flyer? This is a guy worth taking a shot on!
Brenton Cox Jr, OLB, Florida
I can’t think of a player that will have more of a huge draft grade swing than Brenton Cox Jr for the Florida Gators. I admit with me being a huge SEC fan, I still need to go back and watch more game film on him. He has all the tools and size to be a special NFL EDGE rusher, but the lack of continuous drive and effort rears its head from time to time. An example is in this game on the very first play he gets blown off the edge by the OT and the play comes right through that lane for a sizeable chunk of yardage. Something not uncommon in his play. Then you see what makes him so intriguing! Sequences where he reads the play and slides down the line to make a TFL, speed, and burst off the edge for a sack. Do your homework but he’ll go higher than expected in the NFL draft.
Thanks for reading my article. I am a member of the FSWA (Fantasy Sports Writers of America). Follow me on Twitter at @HollywoodTitan, on Facebook on my IDPNation page, on Reddit in the fantasy football IDP sub — I’m user KingTitan1 — and tune in each week and listen to IDP Nation and Devy IDP Grind, the podcasts that I co-host, on several different platforms. Feel free to email or dm me with any questions, as I’m always glad to help fellow IDPers. #IDPNation #IDP #IDPDevy
