Analyzing the Auburn Tigers’ representatives for the next East-West Shrine Bowl
Auburn Tigers’ Representatives at the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl: A Detailed Analysis
The East-West Shrine Bowl has long been a premier all-star game for NFL Draft prospects, providing a platform for players to showcase their skills in front of scouts and coaches from around the league. Representing Auburn University, one of the most storied football programs in college football, will be a select group of Tigers looking to impress on the national stage.
Auburn has always produced top talent, and the players selected for the Shrine Bowl are no exception. In this analysis, we’ll break down the key Auburn Tigers who are set to participate in the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and potential to make an impact at the professional level.
1. Jarquez Hunter – Running Back
Height/Weight: 5’10”, 209 lbs
Class: Junior (eligible for NFL Draft)
Jarquez Hunter is one of Auburn’s most explosive offensive weapons, and his decision to enter the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl is a chance to display his dynamic playmaking ability. A three-year contributor for the Tigers, Hunter has been a mainstay in Auburn’s backfield and has the potential to be a major factor at the next level.
Strengths: Hunter has excellent vision and patience as a runner, allowing him to set up blockers and wait for lanes to open up. His agility and lateral quickness are impressive, which allows him to make defenders miss in tight spaces. Additionally, Hunter’s ability to catch passes out of the backfield gives him a versatile skill set that is highly coveted by NFL teams looking for a multi-dimensional back.
Weaknesses: Hunter’s lack of size compared to some other top-tier running back prospects could be a concern. While he has good strength and balance, his overall physicality may not be as imposing as other backs. Additionally, his blocking skills are a work in progress, which could impact his ability to stay on the field in passing situations at the next level.
Impact Potential: If Hunter can show off his ability to read defenses, find holes quickly, and demonstrate sharp hands as a receiver in the Shrine Bowl, his stock could rise significantly. With the NFL’s increasing emphasis on running backs with versatile skill sets, Hunter could be a sleeper prospect who adds immediate value as a rotational back or a potential starter in a zone-blocking scheme.
2. Omarion Miller – Wide Receiver
Height/Weight: 6’0”, 203 lbs
Class: Sophomore (eligible for NFL Draft)
Miller has rapidly developed into one of Auburn’s most reliable wide receivers and a key piece of the Tigers’ passing game. A dynamic playmaker, he’s shown the ability to stretch the field and win contested catches. His selection to the East-West Shrine Bowl highlights his growing prominence in college football and his potential at the professional level.
Strengths: Miller possesses a solid blend of size, speed, and strength. He’s capable of tracking deep passes and pulling down difficult catches in traffic. His ability to separate from defenders with smooth route running and quick acceleration makes him a constant threat on the outside. Miller’s hands are also a strong point, with minimal drops in his college career.
Weaknesses: One area where Miller could improve is in his consistency on short-to-intermediate routes. While his deep-threat ability is undeniable, at times he struggles to create separation on quicker, more technical routes. Additionally, his blocking skills as a wide receiver could be more aggressive, especially in the run game.
Impact Potential: Miller’s combination of size and athleticism makes him a potential starting receiver at the next level. If he can improve his route tree and show more consistency with his hands and blocking, he could find a role as a reliable second or third option in an NFL offense. His ability to play both inside and outside gives him additional flexibility, making him an appealing prospect for NFL teams looking for depth at wide receiver.
3. Zaccheaus Dumas – Defensive Back
Height/Weight: 5’11”, 196 lbs
Class: Senior (eligible for NFL Draft)
Dumas has been one of Auburn’s standout defenders, regularly contributing in the secondary. Known for his ball skills and high football IQ, Dumas is a player who stands out as a natural leader on defense. His selection for the Shrine Bowl gives him an opportunity to showcase his defensive prowess to NFL scouts.
Strengths: Dumas excels in coverage, especially in man-to-man situations, where he uses his quickness and strong understanding of route patterns to stick with wide receivers. His ball skills are elite, with numerous interceptions and pass breakups during his Auburn career. Dumas also has a knack for reading quarterbacks and anticipating throws, which makes him dangerous when in zone coverage.
Weaknesses: Dumas is slightly undersized for a cornerback, and his lack of top-end speed could hinder his ability to keep up with elite wide receivers at the next level. Additionally, while he is solid in run support, he isn’t always the most physical tackler and can miss key opportunities to bring down ball carriers in the open field.
Impact Potential: Dumas has the potential to develop into a reliable slot cornerback or a rotational piece in a defensive backfield that plays a lot of zone coverage. His ability to read and anticipate the game will be key to his success at the next level. If Dumas can prove that he has the speed and agility to handle top-tier NFL competition, he could carve out a role as a versatile defensive back.
4. Colby Wooden – Defensive Line (Edge Rusher)
Height/Weight: 6’4”, 280 lbs
Class: Senior (eligible for NFL Draft)
Colby Wooden has been a key figure for Auburn’s defensive line, and his potential as an edge rusher is undeniable. With his combination of size, strength, and athleticism, Wooden is one of the more intriguing prospects from Auburn. The Shrine Bowl will give him an opportunity to display his pass-rushing ability and run-stopping skills.
Strengths: Wooden is a highly skilled pass rusher, using his long arms and quick first step to get around offensive linemen. His versatility allows him to play both as a defensive tackle and an edge rusher, giving him the ability to line up in various defensive schemes. Additionally, Wooden has a strong motor and is consistent in his pursuit of the quarterback, never giving up on plays.
Weaknesses: While Wooden is powerful, he can sometimes rely too much on his physicality, which limits his pass-rushing techniques. His lack of refined hand moves and pass-rush counters could make him easier to block at the next level if he doesn’t refine his skills. Additionally, while he’s solid against the run, he could improve his ability to shed blocks more effectively.
Impact Potential: If Wooden can prove he’s capable of developing a more diverse pass-rush skill set and refining his hand technique, he could become a day-two draft pick. His ability to play multiple positions on the defensive line makes him valuable to NFL teams, especially those that run hybrid schemes. Wooden’s motor and strength make him a solid developmental project who could contribute early on special teams while refining his game.
5. Austin Troxell – Offensive Line (Tackle)
Height/Weight: 6’5”, 307 lbs
Class: Senior (eligible for NFL Draft)
Austin Troxell has been a steady presence on Auburn’s offensive line for several seasons. His consistent performance in both run blocking and pass protection makes him a candidate for the Shrine Bowl and a prospect to watch as the draft process unfolds.
Strengths: Troxell has ideal size for a tackle and shows good leverage when blocking. His footwork in pass protection is solid, and he has a good understanding of defensive line stunts, which makes him reliable in both the run game and in protecting the quarterback. Troxell also plays with a mean streak, often finishing plays with aggression.
Weaknesses: Troxell’s biggest knock is his lack of elite athleticism, especially when it comes to pulling on outside runs or blocking at the second level. His inability to consistently block faster pass rushers off the edge could limit his versatility, and he might be more suited for a right tackle or guard position at the next level.
Impact Potential: Troxell’s experience and toughness make him an intriguing prospect for teams looking to add depth to their offensive line. While he may not be a starter immediately, his work ethic and solid fundamentals could make him an effective backup or developmental player, particularly for teams in need of a reliable interior lineman.
