McGuire Cashes In On Shrine Game Appearance
The annual East-West Shrine game is designed to give college players an extra shot to impress NFL scouts, and Elijah McGuire capitalized on the entire experience.
McGuire scored the only touchdown in the Shrine Game, propelling the West team to a 10-3 win over the East, and he also earned himself Offensive MVP honors. He averaged six yards per touch on his seven carries (7 carries, 42 yards), and he caught some scouts' eyes with his quick feet and patience with the ball. One of the greatest running backs in Ragin' Cajuns history made himself some money by balling out, like he always does.
CBS Sports lists McGuire as the 18th overall running back prospect in this year's draft, but his performance in the Shrine Game, and the practices leading up to it, might have convinced some NFL teams to move him up their draft board.
He was the only player to find the endzone in an All-Star game, and he did it with some style. He made a couple cuts, then he was gone.
Elijah McGuire again! Hit the second gear and gone. pic.twitter.com/L2ZE5PRgdo
— 49ers Hub (@49ersHub) January 21, 2017
He did more than just pick up a score too. He waited for his blocks to develop and picked up a couple sizable gains to display his instincts as a running back.
The West's offensive line paved the way for 136 rushing yards in the game, and McGuire let things develop in front of him.
Elijah McGuire showing patience and finding the hole for a gain of 10. pic.twitter.com/lHtUwRSRVo
— 49ers Hub (@49ersHub) January 21, 2017
Some draft projections have him going as late as the sixth round, but he has a good chance to prove his doubters wrong. His ability to catch passes out of the backfield helps him out, and he worked all year long to establish his legitimacy as an every-down back.
A lot will come down to how he performs in his pro day and at the NFL Draft combine, as well as how he conducts himself in interviews with different teams.
He was the man at Louisiana, collecting over 5,000 total yards of offense and over 50 touchdowns while wearing the vermilion white. Could he be the man at the NFL level too?