Shrine Bowl practices kicked off Saturday on the campus of the University of North Texas in Frisco. Below you will find my observations from the sideline. All opinions are my own, so let's get to it:

* Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is in attendance at the Shrine Bowl, but he is not participating in practice. He did speak to the media.

Sanders spoke about meeting with the Giants contingent. "It's very exciting," he said. "We have a great relationship. They definitely showed up plenty of times." He mentioned the importance of seeing the Giants logo on the scouts' apparel.

When asked what he can bring to an NFL team, Sanders said "a lot of wins."

Additionally, Sanders was asked about his relationship with Miami quarterback Cam Ward.

"We're friends, it's always friendly competition. A lot of people in the media are always try to put us against each other. But we're family and we're friends."

* Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant didn't practice either. Projected first-round pick Shavon Revel is still recovering from a knee injury in September and is not practicing. The Shrine Bowl also released their player measurements. Neither Shedeur nor Shilo Sanders chose to participate in measurements.

* I focused on specific position groups during each practice. The East team practiced first and I spent that practice watching the offensive and defensive lines.

* Nebraska defensive tackle Nash Hutmacher (6-3, 314) shifted over to the East team to take Grant's place, and won several of his one-on-one reps. West Virginia defensive tackle Sean Martin (6-5, 289) and Mississippi's JJ Pegues (6-2, 323) showed some burst at defensive tackle.

* Georgia defensive tackle Warren Brinson (6-5, 310) showed off a mean inside spin during pass rush drills. Teammate Nazr Stackhouse arrived late due to the snow in Pensacola, where he was training, and was not able to weigh in. Virginia Tech's Antwaun Powell-Ryland (6-2 253) might have been the most athletic edge player on the field during the first practice. Cal Poly's Elijah Ponder (6-2, 257) also had some good moments.

* It was impossible to miss Oregon State offensive tackle Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan at 6-foot-8 and 328 pounds. Despite his overwhelming size, he moved his feet very well and was able to hang with the speed rushers trying to beat him to the edge. Oregon State's Joshua Gray (6-3, 300) and Wisconsin's Joe Huber (6-4, 308) took snaps at guard and center.

* I watched quarterbacks, receivers, and cornerbacks in the second practice. Minnesota's Max Brosmer (6-1, 216), a transfer from New Hampshire, threw the ball well, including a nice seam pass to Iowa tight end Luke Lachey (6-5, 245) and a deep post to the speedy La'Johntay Wester (5-9, 177) for what looked like a touchdown in the back of the end zone. Webster is the fastest of the Colorado receivers in attendance. Missouri quarterback Brady Cook (6-2, 209) also had some positive moments.

*Of the other wide receivers, UNLV's Ricky White (6-0, 174) showed the ability to separate and catch the ball, as did Pittsburgh's Konata Mumpfield (5-11, 188) and Miami's George Jakolby. His teammate, Sam Brown, might not be the quickest player in terms of changing direction, but he has good size (6-2, 199) and showed speed to get behind the defense.

* Defensive backs had some moments too. Rutgers cornerback Robert Longerbeam (5-11, 171) showed the ability to be sticky in coverage with good length. California's Nohl Williams also played physical coverage but was flagged for too much contact down the field on one play.

* The West practice ended with some competitive one-on-one periods. Boise State edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein (6-2, 274) challenged Cincinnati offensive tackle John Williams trying to get to the edge but couldn't quite turn the corner. Defensive back Alijah Huzzie (5-9, 194) finished a strong practice with a pass break-up covering Jimmy Horn Jr. over the middle. Luke Lachey beat Cal's Craig Woodson on a slant, while South Carolina's Bam Martin-Scott knocked a pass away intended for running back Tahj Brooks.

* The play of practice came from Memphis linebacker Chandler Martin (5-11, 233). A pass was completed to a tight end, but a moment after catching it, Martin ripped the ball out of the offensive player's hands and returned it the other way for the takeaway.