The East-West Shrine Bowl is taking place in Frisco, Texas, featuring more than 100 college football prospects aiming to secure a spot on an NFL roster. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ scouting department will be present as they assess talent for the upcoming draft.
With attention shifting to defensive prospects, several players at this year’s Shrine Bowl could be of interest to the Buccaneers as they address key questions on defense, including the potential retirement of veteran linebacker Lavonte David and the need for increased pass rush and secondary depth.
Linebacker Jake Golday from Cincinnati stands out as a top prospect. Golday, who transferred from Central Arkansas to Cincinnati for his junior and senior seasons, recorded 105 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks in 2025. He was named Big-12 honorable mention in 2024. Known for his athleticism and speed, Golday is projected as a second-round pick and could become a long-term anchor for an NFL defense.
LSU’s Harold Perkins Jr., another linebacker under consideration, made an impact as both an edge rusher and off-ball linebacker during his college career. Despite missing part of his third season due to injury, Perkins returned to finish his senior year with 56 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, and three interceptions. He is seen as a versatile player who could fit various defensive schemes and is expected to be selected in the third or fourth round.
Buffalo’s Red Murdock is also drawing attention after finishing the 2025 season with 142 tackles—the second most in the nation—and holding the FBS record with 17 career forced fumbles. Murdock is known for aggressive play against the run but has areas to improve in coverage and lateral agility. He projects as a late Day Three pick with potential special teams impact.
In the secondary, Oregon’s Jadon Canady offers versatility at cornerback after playing multiple positions during his college career at Tulane, Ole Miss, and Oregon. In 2025 he had 39 tackles, two interceptions, and six passes defensed while allowing only one touchdown throughout the season according to PFF rankings. Mock drafts project Canady around the sixth round.
On the defensive line, USC’s Anthony Lucas presents intriguing physical attributes at over 6-foot-4 and 267 pounds. His senior year included 37 tackles and three sacks despite previous injury concerns. Lucas is considered a late Day Two or early Day Three selection with potential upside if developed further.
The Buccaneers continue their search for defensive talent at events like the Shrine Bowl as they prepare their draft strategy ahead of April.
