Falcons Coach Reveals Who 'Flashed the Most' at Shrine Bowl
The Atlanta Falcons coaching staff spent four practices and a full game with several of this year's top senior draft prospects at the East-West Shrine Bowl ... and appear to have walked with some favorites.
The Shrine Bowl presented an opportunity for the Falcons to get to see how players operate both on and off the field, be it interacting with teammates or taking lessons from the meeting rooms to the field.
Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said that his team received "very valuable information" from the week - but who stood out?
When asked Tuesday, Fontenot didn't share any secrets ... but the same can't be said for Falcons linebackers coach and East team defensive coordinator Frank Bush.
On the Shrine Bowl broadcast, NFL Network said that "East team defensive back Kei'Trel Clark was singled out by defensive coordinator Frank Bush as the guy who flashed the most."
Clark is a logical choice by Bush, as the former Louisville Cardinal had a strong week at practice and impressed during interviews. Despite being undersized at 5-10, 179 pounds, Clark is highly competitive and has stout instincts.
But what truly stands out about Clark is his ability off the field. When speaking with Falcon Report during Shrine Bowl week, Clark was the only defensive back who brought his playbook into the media room.
Clark had a notebook filled with coaching points from the week and shared that he watched tape on every receiver on the East team prior to arriving.
When Clark was asked by Falcon Report what an NFL team will be getting in him, here's what he said ...
"They're going to get a person who's a leader, always honest, trustworthy, reliable, dependable," Clark said. "A guy that's just going to be an all-around pro at whatever I do and just taking care of the little things - they won't have to worry about me being late or being on this or any of that."
On the field, Clark said that he's "relentless, fast (and) physical" - and he played up to that billing throughout the week in Las Vegas.
But Clark isn't the only player who stood out to Bush.
Later during the broadcast, NFL Network said that Bush "singled out" Nebraska defensive lineman Ochaun Mathis.
The 6-4 1/2, 247-pound Mathis proved that he could win inside and outside as a pass rusher during the week, using athleticism and hands to beat blockers in a variety of ways.
Mathis, who played at TCU for his first four years before transferring to Nebraska, was a second-team all-Big 12 selection in 2020 and 2021 and had 3.5 sacks and five tackles for loss in his lone season with the Cornhuskers.
But wait - there's more.
NFL Network also mentioned that Bush was fond of Tennessee linebacker Jeremy Banks, dubbing him a "bull in a China shop" and a "problem solver."
Earlier in the week, Bush delivered what Banks described as "hard coaching," as the East's defensive signal caller gave an effort-based speech towards the former Volunteer during drills.
While it could be considered a negative, Bush appears to have seen positive things out of Banks and now knows that he's receptive to coaching, something that could permeate throughout the draft process.
Bush stressed the idea of "skills over talent" - and appears to have found some highly skilled guys who present intrigue.
Ultimately, the draft process is largely just getting started ... but it's rare to hear coaches reveal who they like, and the long-term path of Clark, Mathis and Banks should be followed closely in the coming months.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
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