Five Former FCS Players to Partake in 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl

The college football season may be over for most, but it isn’t for a select group of players hoping to take their game to the next level. It’s now officially showcase season with a handful of all-star games slated to take place over the next few weeks leading into the NFL Scouting Combine. One of the most notable of those contests will take place next Tuesday in Frisco, Texas with the East-West Shrine Bowl at “The Star”. It will serve as an opportunity for players from all over the country to show off for pro scouts and this year the FCS will be represented by five standouts who will participate in the game. Who are they?

Kaleb Proctor, DL – Southeastern Louisiana

Few players in the country were as dominant at the defensive line of scrimmage last season than SLU’s Kaleb Proctor. Proctor, checking in at 6’3”, 280 pounds, was a force up front for the Lions and was their main disrupter in the trenches. He logged a team-high 13 tackles for loss and got in on nine sacks. Proctor also accounted for 43 stops, two pass breakups and four QB hits in 2025. On his career, he authored 16 sacks and 26 TFLs. His efforts last fall earned him first team All-Southland honors as well as the conference’s overall Player of the Year accolade. Proctor is now looking to be the first SLU player selected in the NFL Draft since 2016. He will play for the West team on Tuesday and will wear #48.

Jalen Walthall, WR – Incarnate Word

Another representative from the Southland Conference and one of the best receivers in the FCS over the last few years, UIW’s Jalen Walthall was also invited to the game. Walthall, who began his college career at Hawaii before transferring over to the Cardinals prior to the 2024 season, delivered a sensational two years for Incarnate Word on the outside. In 2024 he finished as the third-leading receiver in the entire NCAA with 1,290 yards and finished that year with 14 touchdowns. He followed it up last season with 847 more yards and eight scores. Walthall had nine games in which he went for over 100 yards including a huge 220-yard performance last fall against UTRGV. He has the chance to hold the distinction of being the first ever Cardinals player to be taken in the NFL Draft later this spring. Walthall will suit up for the East squad and wear #36.

Jarod Washington, CB – South Carolina State

The only HBCU player set to play in the Shrine Bowl this year will be SC State corner and Celebration Bowl champion Jarod Washington. Washington was the lynchpin to the Bulldogs secondary last season and he won nearly every matchup he was in. In fact, Washington was far-and-above the pass defender in the FCS in 2025 with a staggering 21 PBUs to go along with two interceptions. He also registered 33 tackles and forced a fumble all in 13 games. Washington was a big reason why SC State won its second ever HBCU National Championship and is now looking to follow in the footsteps of fellow Bulldog DBs like Cobie Durant who are now in the NFL. Washington could be the first SC State alum taken in the Draft since 2022. He will play for the East defense and don #12.

Declan Williams, LB – Incarnate Word

Star Incarnate Word linebacker Declan Williams got the nod to play in the game as well and rightfully so. Williams, a first team All-Conference defender, has been with UIW for two seasons after starting his career at Rhode Island. Last fall he was terrific for the Cardinals defense in the middle, making 102 total tackles (13 of which were for a loss). He was also responsible for five turnovers in 2025, forcing a fumble, recovering three more and picking off a pass. Williams was all over the field and if there was a play to be made, odds were he was involved somehow. He played in 26 games while at UIW and, over his two seasons there, was responsible for 7.5 sacks, 164 stops and seven defended passes. Williams is on the East roster and will wear #40.

Michael Wortham, WR – Montana

One of the most all-around athletic players in all of college football last year was Montana’s Michael Wortham. Officially listed as a receiver, Wortham was more of an everything guy for the Grizzlies, accounting for a program record 2,431 all-purpose yards in 2025. 1,224 of those yards came by way of the catch but he also rushed for 345 and had 862 on kickoff and punt returns. A transfer from Eastern Washington prior to last season, Wortham was one of the key pieces to a Griz offense that averaged 41 points per game. He alone was responsible for 18 touchdowns and was a big reason why Montana reached the FCS semifinals. Wortham brings a quickness and agility to the table that few other wideouts do and could be an intriguing pro depending on how he’s used. As for Tuesday’s contest, Wortham will play for the East and sport #88.