The East-West Shrine Bowl is an institution of the collegiate all-star circuit, and has recently evolved under new management, rotating the location of the game, allowing more non-senior prospects and moving the date/time to find more primetime eyes.
This year’s edition is set to take place at The Star in Frisco, Texas, on the campus of the Dallas Cowboys training facility, with the game itself on Tuesday night. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Eastern time, with coverage on NFL Network.
Amongst the nearly
150 prospects who have worked all week in practices are five former MAC stars from three different programs.
Red Murdock, linebacker, Buffalo
Murdock is a truly rare prospect in the modern-day college environment; a sure-fire professional prospect who stayed at his original school of choice over the course of his entire career, Murdock leaves Amherst as one of the program’s most productive defensive players since Khalil Mack.
Murdock earned a spot on special teams his freshman campaign, with six tackles in six games (all solo), then found himself in the starting lineup as a true sophomore, ranking third on the team with 60 total tackles and 9.5 tackles-for-loss, while also showing a knack for causing fumbles, with four forced in 2023.
2024 was his breakout campaign, playing alongside future NFL contributor Shaun Dolac. Starting a full 13-game season, Murdock earned first-team all-MAC honors after finishing second in the NCAA with a career-high 156 total tackles and 16.5 tackles-for-loss, while also picking up two sacks, an interception and seven forced fumbles.
Murdock followed up in 2025 with an equally productive campaign, once again earning first-team all-MAC while being named a second-team All-American by multiple publications. Murdock finished with 142 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, a career-high five sacks and six forced fumbles, breaking Khalil Mack’s program-high forced fumbles record with 17 career punch-outs.
Murdock, who stands at six-foot-one, 240 lbs., is a tad undersized at the pro level, but his production and tape at the college level is undeniable. His contributions as a multi-season starter and ability to play special teams will be intriguing for pro scouts. Murdock projects as an early Day 3 NFL Draft pick, but could find himself in late Day 2 range with some good performances.
Michael Heldman, EDGE, Central Michigan
Heldman is another long-time contributor at the MAC level, spending four seasons as a starter with the Chippewas after taking his redshirt season in 2021, starting in 42 of his 52 eligible contests.
By the end of his time in Mt. Pleasant, Heldman rounded into one of the MAC’s best backfield disruptions, finishing with 120 total tackles (62 solo), 34 TFLs, 19, five pass breakups, four forced fumbles, and 29 quarterback hurries (second in program history.)
His senior campaign was his piece-de-resistance, finishing fifth on the team in tackles (48), first in TFLs (16.5), sacks (10.5) and QB hurries (nine), while also notching four pass break-ups and two forced fumbles. It was a remarkable turnaround from the prior season, doubling his total tackles (28), TFLs (six) and sacks (four), showing real growth into the position. His performance was enough to earn first-team all-MAC honors.
Heldman, a communications major, also became only the eight Chippewa to ever be named to the academic all-MAC team for four-straight seasons. Heldman is hard to project at the pro level, but at six-foot-four, 260 lbs., he possesses decent size and has shown himself to be a late bloomer with potential to round into at least a contributor on special teams or as a rotation piece with a few years of seasoning.
Andre Fuller, defensive back, Toledo
Fuller had to wait for his opportunity at Toledo, but once put into the spotlight, he shined.
Fuller transferred into the program from Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 2021, and saw time mostly as a depth contributor in 2022 and 2023, totaling 29 tackles and three pass break-ups. 2024 saw Fuller sit out the season due to an injury suffered early in camp, putting his spot in danger.
He fought back, however, and earned a starting role at cornerback in 2025, putting together a strong campaign. In his lone season as a full-time starter, Fuller proved to be one of the MAC’s stickiest man defenders, finishing fourth in the MAC with 11 passes defensed (10 pass breakups) while also plucking an interception and notching 49 tackles (fourth on the team.)
Fuller earned first-team all-MAC honors for his efforts, and now looks forward to proving his mettle in front of pro scouts. Standing at six-foot-two, 202 lbs., with experience sitting behind current NFL’ers Quinyon Mitchell and Maxen Hook, Fuller has prototypical defensive back size and decent ball skills, making him an intriguing UDFA option.
Avery Smith, defensive back, Toledo
Succeeding a first-round NFL prospect like Quinyon Mitchell is never easy, especially at a smaller program like Toledo, but Smith proved capable in two seasons as a starter at the cornerback position.
In 2024 and 2025, Smith got his hands on 28 passes, with 15 pass break-ups and three interceptions, while also proving effective in the run game with 100 total tackles (including a career-high 58 tackles in 2024.) Over his career, Smith brought in 127 tackles, 7.5 TFLs (including five in 2025), 26 pass break-ups and a forced fumble.
Smith’s unique appeal is his special teams prowess, with a blocked punt and a blocked field goal return touchdown on his resume. A contributor on all teams in his four seasons, the five-foot-10, 185 lb. prospect should look to push for roster time on kickoff and punt units right away at the professional level, with upside in coverage.
He’s a likely UDFA, but with a good performance, could be a candidate for a flyer pick in Day 3 of the NFL Draft.
Chip Trayanum, halfback, Toledo
The well-traveled Trayanum found a home in Toledo for the 2025 season after stints with Ohio State, Arizona State and Kentucky.
In his lone season with the Rockets, Trayanum eclipsed the 1,000+ yard rushing mark and also finished fourth on the team in receptions (21), marking himself as a core member of the offense. He totaled 1,064 rushing yards, 212 receiving yards, 14 total touchdowns (12 rushing, two receiving) in 2025, earning first-team all-MAC honors.
Between all four of his stops, Trayanum accumulated 2,208 rushing yards and 25 rushing scores in his career.
The former four-star prospect from Akron, Ohio possesses a freakish size/speed profile, running a high 4.3 40-yard dash despite standing at five-foot-11, 227 lbs., and is just as capable of cutting out and accelerating on stretch runs as he is battering the line on north/south runs. Trayanum has also played at linebacker and special teams in his career, offering unique opportunities for teams at the next level.
He’s likely a UDFA option at this point, but if he can refine his pass blocking and ball security, he could sneak into late Day 3 considerations and surprise some people in training camps.
