2017 East-West Shrine Game: 5 Players who improved stock

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Jan 21, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; West Team running back Eli McGuire (1) runs with the ball as defensive end Bryan Cox (94) tackles during the first quarter of the East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Elijah McGuire

Running Back, Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns

While only having seven carries for 42 yards and a touchdown, Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns running back Elijah McGuire provided the only offensive touchdown in the 2017 East-West Shrine Game.

There were other more notable running backs in the game, including De’Veon Smith of the Michigan Wolverines and Joe Williams of the Utah Utes. However, McGuire was the guy that the West leaned on to win the ball game late in St. Petersburg.

McGuire showed that he could hang with some of the best players in the country despite playing at a mid-major program. He had this shiftiness and elusiveness that NFL scouts will like. McGuire was a fifth-to-sixth round grade heading into the East-West Shrine Game.

While he may not be selected in the fourth round due to a deep running back corps entering the draft, NFL scouts now know that they can get a great player in day three of the 2017 NFL Draft in McGuire. His competitiveness shined through on Saturday afternoon. When scouts talk about the Shrine Game, McGuire’s touchdown will come up. He is now a certain lock to be drafted this spring.

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