2026 Shrine Bowl standouts that make sense for the Cowboys

The 101st East-West Shrine Bowl showcased top NFL prospects, and a few defensive players stood out as potential fits for the Dallas Cowboys.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 2:47am

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The Dallas Cowboys' scouting department closely observed the 101st East-West Shrine Bowl, which took place at the team's world headquarters in Frisco, Texas. Several defensive players impressed, including edge rushers Mason Reiger, Wesley Williams, and Keyshawn James-Newby, linebacker Shad Banks from UTSA, cornerback Brent Austin from Cal, and safety Cole Wisniewski from Texas Tech. The Cowboys are in need of defensive help, and these prospects could be targets in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Why it matters

The Cowboys are looking to bolster their defense after making a coaching change at defensive coordinator. The East-West Shrine Bowl provided an opportunity for Dallas to evaluate top prospects up close, and several defensive standouts emerged as potential fits that could help address the team's needs.

The details

Edge rushers Mason Reiger, Wesley Williams, and Keyshawn James-Newby all had impressive performances, with Reiger standing out as the game's defensive MVP after recording three sacks. Linebacker Shad Banks from UTSA showcased his athleticism and football IQ, while cornerback Brent Austin from Cal and safety Cole Wisniewski from Texas Tech demonstrated strong coverage skills and tackling ability. The Cowboys will be closely evaluating these players as they prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft.

  • The 101st East-West Shrine Bowl took place on January 28, 2026.

The players

Mason Reiger

A defensive end from the University of Wisconsin who was named an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and stood out at the East-West Shrine Bowl with three sacks, including a strip sack that resulted in a defensive touchdown.

Wesley Williams

A redshirt junior defensive end from Duke University who made multiple plays in the first half of the East-West Shrine Bowl, including a strip sack that led to a defensive touchdown.

Keyshawn James-Newby

A defensive end from the University of New Mexico who was a First-team All-Big Sky selection and made several impressive plays in the East-West Shrine Bowl, including a tackle for loss that was unfortunately flagged.

Shad Banks

A linebacker from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) who was a First-team All-American Conference selection and showcased his athleticism, football IQ, and coverage skills at the East-West Shrine Bowl.

Brent Austin

A cornerback from the University of California, Berkeley who was a Third-team All-ACC selection in 2025 and displayed strong coverage ability and tackling technique at the East-West Shrine Bowl.

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What they’re saying

“Add these three to your scouting assignments, if you haven't already, because they are deserving, Dallas.”

— Patrik Walker, Author

What’s next

The Cowboys will continue to evaluate these prospects throughout the pre-draft process as they look to address their defensive needs in the upcoming NFL Draft.

The takeaway

The East-West Shrine Bowl provided the Cowboys with a close-up look at several defensive standouts who could be potential targets in the upcoming draft, as the team looks to bolster its defense and return to the playoffs in 2026.