On Tuesday night, the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl concluded with a game after four days of practice. The West team wound up victorious over the East team by a score of 21-17.
During Thursday and Friday’s media access, the Arrowhead Pride staff watched practice and participated in two sessions of media availability to the players before high-tailing it out of Texas to avoid the winter storm. In case you’ve missed our coverage, here’s a list:
After watching the game, there were a few more worthwhile points to share from our time there. Here are three final takeaways before we move on to remote coverage of this year’s Senior Bowl:
1. Duke defensive end Wesley Williams proves versatility
Throughout Tuesday evening, Williams was shooting into the backfield and disrupting the West offense from multiple alignments along the defensive line.
Williams measured in at over 6 feet 3 inches tall and 251 pounds to begin the week. His 32-inch arms feel even longer when you watch him knife past blockers and disrupt quarterbacks in the back of their drop.
On Friday, Williams shared with me that a four-down front is what he has grown accustomed to. When I asked how he would fit into the Chiefs’ traditional 4-3 structure, he was giddy.
“Steve Spagnuolo is a legendary defensive coordinator,” Williams told me. “So the opportunity to play for a guy like him would be a blessing. Seeing what the Chiefs have done with guys like George Karlaftis… It’s exciting to think about playing in a defense like that.”
We talked about Spagnuolo’s desire for edge rushers to crush the pocket and rush with discipline in their gap. Williams played in multiple schemes over four years at Duke, and he believes that pocket-crushing mentality is effective.
“What sticks out in my mind is the ACC Championship game,” Williams remembered. “That was really our game plan: cage the quarterback and crush. It was highly successful, and I was able to execute in that plan, so I feel very comfortable with that.”
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 6: Chandler Morris #4 of the Virginia Cavaliers throws a pass as he is hit by Wesley Williams #97 of the Duke Blue Devils in the second half during a game at Bank of America Stadium on December 6, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) Getty Images
In Duke’s 27-20 overtime upset over Virginia, Williams had a tackle for loss and batted down a pass. He brought that pocket disruption to the Shrine Bowl game on Tuesday, creating the pressure from an interior alignment at times.
He foreshadowed that flexibility when we talked about Spagnuolo’s NASCAR package.
“I have a little bit of experience moving inside on pass downs,” Williams shared. “I’ve also played three-technique for spring ball… So I feel really comfortable inside, it’s not something I do all the time, but I think versatility is the biggest asset you can have in anything, especially as a football player.”
Williams is certainly a fit in the Chiefs’ defense and will be worth keeping an eye out for towards the end of this year’s NFL Draft.
2. Houston running back Dean Connors starts and ends the week as the flashiest ballcarrier
Getting the chance to watch practice in-person on Friday, the one-on-one drills are when the talent begins to show. As the running backs ran routes against linebackers, Houston running back Dean Connors popped out with suddenness and burst, before and after the catch.
Then on Tuesday night, Connors continued flashing — starting for his squad and scoring the game’s first touchdown.
For the Chiefs, Connor would be a similar style of player as running back Brashard Smith — but it’s clear Connor is a true ballcarrier. His make-you-miss ability will be intriguing for someone in this year’s draft.
3. Three players were coached up by Eric Bieniemy at UCLA
There was an opportunity to get a perspective on new Chiefs’ offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy from non-Chiefs players.
UCLA offensive lineman Garrett DiGiorgio played five seasons at the school. For the West team on Tuesday, he started at right tackle and played right guard on a few possessions. He was highlighted as a player to watch on the broadcast.
I asked him what he remembered about Bieniemy’s coaching during the 2024 season.
“I liked how he spoke in meetings,” DiGiorgio shared. “Made us intent, almost like focus driven, like he would make sure that the room was all on the same path.”
“He knows that he’s going to war himself with the opponent’s DC and the other people on the team,” DiGiorgio said. “That energy he has, it carries onto the athletes for sure.”
Pasadena, CA – November 08: Ucla offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the second half of a NCAA Football game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on Friday, November 8, 2024.(Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) MediaNews Group via Getty Images
SMU running back T.J. Harden totaled 874 yards and three touchdowns in 2024 before transferring. I asked him how Bieniemy, the former NFL running backs coach, impacted his game.
“He was a great coach,” Harden noted. “He’ll get on you if you’re not doing the right thing, and he’ll shout you out if you’re doing the right thing.”
Harden mentioned the “pro-style” playbook Bieniemy had, featuring lots of plays and NFL terminology. That’s something UCLA defensive tackle Gary Smith III also appreciated about Bieniemy’s time as associate head coach.
Smith lit up when I first mentioned Bieniemy.
“That’s my guy,” Smith smiled.
“EB is a high-energy guy,” Smith continued. “He’s just trying to get everything right the first time, and he’s a guy that we can definitely learn from.”
Moving on to Smith’s game, it became clear he would be a strong fit at the Chiefs’ nose-tackle position. He says taking on double teams is what he does best, and he proved that during the Shrine Bowl game.
He wants to be seen as a three-down player — and says he will display that ability when given the chance — but it’s clear what Smith’s strengths are.
“Controlling the run, controlling A to A,” Smith explained. “Being able to be that guy who is going to be reliable every down.”
