The 2023 Shrine Bowl is on the horizon, and the Power Five conferences are heavily represented. Which Pac-12 2023 NFL Draft prospects are making the trip to Las Vegas, and which ones should you pay the most attention to? Here’s a look at the group as a whole.
Pac-12 NFL Draft Prospects at the 2023 Shrine Bowl
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, UCLA
There’s an opportunity for someone to emerge as the QB headliner of the East-West Shrine Bowl in 2023. And Dorian Thompson-Robinson has the tools to be that quarterback. DTR has a great amount of experience already, but his prime selling point throughout draft season will be his elite creation capacity, athleticism, and visible arm talent.
Mohamoud Diabate, LB, Utah
After showing promise at Florida, Mohamoud Diabate transferred to Utah for his final season, where he became a force both in coverage and as an attacking defender in the box. Diabate is a bit light, but at 6’3″, he has tremendous length and smooth athleticism in space. His projected versatility should be very much on display in Las Vegas.
Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu, OT, Oregon
The 2023 NFL Draft offensive tackle class tapers back a bit in terms of depth in the Day 3 range. Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu could be a riser who challenges that notion later on, however.
At 6’7″, Aumavae-Laulu’s a towering tackle prospect with powerful hands. While he struggles with pad level at times, he’s a legitimate athlete in space, who could awe onlookers with his tools.
Atonio Mafi, G, UCLA
Even as we enter February, the interior offensive line class is largely unsettled, and there’s space for risers to climb up the board. Atonio Mafi could end up being one of those players after the East-West Shrine Bowl. He doesn’t have great length and struggles to unhinge his hips at times on tape. But Mafi’s a tenacious, heavy-handed blocker with great linear explosiveness and density.
Travis Dye, RB, USC
A leg injury ended Travis Dye’s season prematurely, but he’s worked his way back and is now on the Shrine Bowl roster. As a 24-year-old rookie with an injury history, he’s likely a Day 3 pick at best. But Dye can be a steal in that range with his dynamic ability as a runner and his functional utility as a run-after-catch threat in the passing game.
Xazavian Valladay, RB, Arizona State
Xazavian Valladay had already put together a respectable career at Wyoming before transferring to Arizona State in 2022. But 2022 was his best year yet, as he achieved 1,192 yards and 16 touchdowns on 215 carries.
At 6’0″, 200 pounds, Valladay is more of an upright, north-south runner than desired, but he has the vision and explosiveness to dart upfield.
Other Pac-12 Prospects To Watch at the Shrine Bowl
- S Christian Young, Arizona
- S Bennett Williams, Oregon
- FB/TE Jack Colletto, Oregon State
- WR Jake Bobo, UCLA
- RB Tavion Thomas, Utah
- OL Jaxson Kirkland, Washington
- G Henry Bainivalu, Washington
