ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (FOX 13) - The East-West Shrine Game brings 116 seniors with NFL hopes to the Tampa Bay area. On average, about 70 players from this game will land NFL deals, which is why you'll find scouts and general managers from every NFL team with eyes glued on this year's prospects.
Former Bucs legend and current Washington Redskins vice president of player personnel Doug Williams says he sees a lot of talent on this field.
"This is one of their biggest interviews," Williams told FOX 13's Kevin O'Donnell. "It's like anything else, if you finish college and go to job market to do an interview. This is their interview off the football field."
Florida has four players from the state's big three here: Two from the Hurricanes, one from the Gators and one from the Seminoles.
"These are the best guys in the country," said FSU offensive lineman Alec Eberle. "This is your chance to show these coaches and scouts that I can keep up with these guys and hopefully do better than these guys who are the top seniors in this country as well."
Florida Gators offensive lineman Martez Ivey said he wanted to use the opportunity to showcase himself.
"Let me sit down and talk to scouts and show them my high character, show them I'm a great guy," he said. "Also prove my work ethic."
A majority of these players this year at the Shrine game will end up on NFL rosters. They might not be first- or second-round draft picks, but last year Phillip Lindsey, who played in the Shrine game, went undrafted. He signed with the Denver Broncos, rushed for over 1,000 yards as a rookie and just was named to the Pro Bowl.
One player that could be this year's sleeper pick is James Madison's cornerback Jimmy Moreland. He is the Dukes' all-time interception leader with 18; six returned for touchdowns. The Titans and Texans spent a lot of time talking to him after practice.
"So I'm just here to try to be one of those next guys in line," Moreland said. "There are plenty of guys that are going to be in the draft. Plenty of guys out here showcasing their talent and we are all just here enjoying it."