Thompson, Tupou Have Solid Shrine Game Week

BOULDER — NFL Draft observers are saying former Colorado standouts Josh Tupou and Tedric Thompson both saw their stock rise after last week's East-West Shrine Game.

Former Buffs Tupou, Thompson, Jimmie Gilbert and Kenneth Olugbode all played for the West team over the weekend. Ahkello Witherspoon was also invited, but did not participate.

Thompson produced the biggest stats of the CU contingent, finishing with seven tackles, while Gilbert was credited with one.

But it may have been Tupou who made the biggest impression during the week of practice in front of NFL scout — and at all-star games, the practices are in many ways as important as the game itself.

"It was good," said Tupou, who was back at the CU Champions Center on Monday morning. "It was different than practicing here, getting ready for games against the scout team. We practiced against the best of the best there, so it was a lot different. It was a great experience."

Tupou clearly impressed the the draft observers and media.

"Tupou is a massive nose tackle at 6'3" and 345 pounds," wrote Bleacher Report's Brett Sobleski. "Coaches shouldn't expect Tupou to get into the backfield and register tackles for loss. His value lies in his ability to eat up as many blockers as possible. The East couldn't budge the hefty defender, and the way he stacked offensive linemen and absorbed every double-team contributed to the West's defensive success."

All four Buffs who participated played for a West defense that helped produce a 10-3 win.

Another draft website said Tupou had "a strong start to the week. He was very stout at the point of attack and was reliable to control his gap in the run scrimmage. Tupou also did well in the pass-rushing one-on-ones."

Thompson, meanwhile, caught the eye of Texanswire.com, a site that covers the NFL's Houston Texans: "A ballhawk in college, Thompson looked comfortable in single-high safety looks in team drills. He showed the best closing speed and recognition of any West team defensive back."

The week of practice also included nightly meetings with scouts from different NFL teams who wanted to interview players. Tupou said he talked with a number of scouts, but didn't get any insight as to where they think he might be selected.

"I leave that to them," he said. "I do my part and that's to try and get better every day. After that, whatever happens, happens."

Thompson and Chidobe Awuzie are both being projected to go as high as the third round, with Tupou and Gilbert being tabbed as possible late-round picks.

One more Buff will be participating in an all-star game this weekend when quarterback Sefo Liufau plays in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. Awuzie was also invited to participate, but is likely to miss the game because of an injury suffered in bowl practice in December.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu