NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Seven Vanderbilt football players have been selected to this year’s 2025 Shrine Bowl 1000 Watchlist.
Mark Davis, Loic Founji, Steven Losoya, Diego Pavia, Eli Stowers, CJ Taylor and De’Rickey Wright were among the players the East-West Shrine Bowl staff selected, as announced Tuesday.
The East-West Shrine Bowl is a best-in-class, all-star event that will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on January 30, 2025.
Davis, a graduate transfer from Southern Illinois, was named honorable mention All-Missouri Valley Football Conference in 2023 after starting all 13 games for the Salukis. The cornerback totaled 32 tackles, 1.5 for loss, and added seven pass breakups and a fumble recovery last season. Before Southern Illinois, Davis made eight appearances for Buffalo in 2021 with seven tackles.
Founji, a receiver who spent the last four seasons at Texas Tech, appeared in 13 games during the 2023 season, making six catches for 85 yards and two touchdowns including a 25-yard touchdown reception against Houston. The Texas native saw a career-best 110 receiving years with two touchdowns against Murray State in the Big Red’s 2022 season opener.
Losoya returns to Tennessee after spending the last two seasons at Mississippi State where he started in all 12 games at right guard during the 2023 campaign, totaling over 750 snaps. Per Pro Football Focus, the Tennessee native did not allow a sack and conceded just one quarterback hit while committing three penalties during the 2023 season.
Pavia completed two seasons at New Mexico State and two seasons at New Mexico Military Institute before joining the black and gold. The quarterback was named 2023 Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year after starting all 15 games in 2023 and leading the Aggies to the team’s second 10-win season in program history and first since 1960. The Albuquerque, New Mexico, native threw 2,973 yards with 26 touchdowns to nine interceptions while also rushing for 125 yards and seven touchdowns during last season.
Stowers, a tight end who spent the 2023 season at New Mexico State, was honorable mention All-Conference USA in 2023. The graduate student grabbed 35 receptions for 366 yards and two touchdowns in 2023 while adding 29 rushes for 113 yards and two scores on the ground. Stowers helped New Mexico State over Auburn for the first program win over an SEC team, making four catches for 48 yards including a touchdown.
Taylor returns to Vanderbilt for his senior campaign after finishing third on the team last season with 55 tackles. The Tennessee native posted 7.5 tackles for loss (second on the team) while recording two interceptions, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles during the 2023 season. Earlier this summer, Taylor was named Phil Steele Preseason All-SEC and Athlon Preseason All-SEC honors.
Wright, a safety out of Gadsden, Alabama, earns his second Shrine Bowl 1000 of his career. Appearing in 10 contests last season, Wright posted 46 tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. Per Pro Football Focus, Wright had the 11th-best coverage grade among SEC safeties (min. 20 percent of snaps). Earlier this summer, Wright earned Athlon Preseason All-SEC honors.
The Commodores open the 2024 season on August 31 when Virginia Tech visits FirstBank Stadium. Kickoff is set for 11:00 a.m. and tickets are available now.
