2017 East-West Shrine Game: 5 Players who improved stock
By John Buhler
Deatrich Wise Jr.
Defensive End, Arkansas Razorbacks
Easily the best player in the 2017 East-West Shrine Bowl was Arkansas Razorbacks defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. We’ve seen flashes of brilliance during his time playing for Bret Bielema in Fayetteville. However, he hadn’t put it all together before this all-star exhibition.
Wise was a sixth to seventh-round draft grade at a very deep position of defensive end. Some had questioned his motor or love for the sport of football while at Arkansas. Well, he laid both of those criticisms to rest with his outstanding play on Saturday afternoon.
He played with his hair on fire. Wise was all over the East backfield, making life incredibly for the East to move the football. Outside of a Nick Weiler made field goal, the East did nothing on offense.
Where Wise proved his stake to climbing up draft boards was that he showed he can be an every-down defensive lineman at the next level. He was filthy in stuffing the run and rushing the passer. How high Wise climbs up some teams’ draft boards depend entirely on scheme. He’s not going to go undrafted, but will be a great draft day gem for a team picking a pass rusher in the third day of the draft.