With senior bowls in full swing, the Washington Commanders met with nearly ten defenders ahead of the 2026 Shrine Bowl
The Washington Commanders saw a notable departure materialize this weekend with a key executive headed elsewhere after over two decades with the organization. Still, the Commanders met with several draft prospects who are set to participate in the East-West Shrine Bowl set for Tuesday, Jan. 27 at Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. A list of who they reportedly met with:
Wisconsin safety Austin Brown
After appearing in every game during his four year career, Brown made 20 starts over the last two seasons where combined for 103 tackles and six pass breakups, including 11 tackles vs. Alabama in week two. While he also has experience playing nickel corner, he also struggled in coverage in 2025, allowing 24 catches and three touchdowns on 34 targets.
Northwestern DE/edge Aidan Hubbard
With a need to add more pressure off the edge, the fifth-year senior is a candidate to do so. Hubbard ended his time as a Wildcat ranked eighth all time on the career sack list and become the first player in six season to record six sacks in consecutive seasons. NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler ranked Hubbard as the 24th-best edge rusher ahead of the 2025 season and was named the AP All-Bowl Team.
New Mexico edge Keyshawn James-Newby
The only Mountain West player to be included in the Shrine Bowl, James-Newby was a first team All-Conference and third team All-America selection after finishing with nine sacks in 2025. Per PFF, he also led the conference in total pressures (66) and hurries (48) - both ranked second nationally. James-Newby also posted nine quarterback hits and is fifth nationally with a PFF pass rush grade at 92.7.
UCF edge Malachi Lawrence
One of the more popular players at the Shrine Bowl after measuring in at 6-foot-4, 247, Lawrence registered 28 TFLs and 20 sacks in 22 starts and 39 career games. He ended his season as a first-team All-Big 12 selection as an athletic edge with nearly 33.5-inch arms, cementing him as an under-the-radar prospect to track ahead of April.
Indiana safety Louis Moore
An Ole Miss transfer who ended his college career as a national champion, Moore did what Washington struggled to do and led the Big Ten with six interceptions while adding 88 tackles and four passes defended in 2025.
Wisconsin edge Mason Reiger
One who drew positive feedback during a week of practice, Reiger impressed in 2025 after struggling with injuries through his college career. He led Wisconsin with 45 pressures, per PFF, and graded as the best player on Wisconsin in 2025 where he added five sacks and six TFLs.
South Carolina edge Bryan Thomas Jr
After materializing into a rotational player, Thomas enjoyed his most productive season in 2025 where he registered eight sacks and 12.5 TFLs, enough to be named a third team All-SEC coaches selection, and ended his career with 13.5 sacks, 20.5 TFLs and five fumbles. He also ended his career named co-MVP and defensive MVP while measuring in a hair above 6-foot-1.
Duke edge Wesley Williams
In 15 starts and 27 games, Williams ended as a two-time all-ACC honorable mention selection in 2025 and amassed 87 tackles, 20 TFLs and nine sacks through his college career. Williams also served as team captain as was named defensive MVP in 2025 where he registered 16 quarterback pressures, ranked seventh most in Blue Devil history.
Texas Tech safety/LB Cole Wisniewski
He began his college career at North Dakota State where he logged 195 tackles, 15 pass deflections and eight interceptions en route to being named an FCS All-American. But a foot injury sidelined for the entirety of the 2024 season before transferring to the Red Raiders in 2025. Wisniewski was named to the Comeback Player of the Year Watch List and was named an All-Big 12 honorable mention after amassing 78 total tackles, a pair of fumble recoveries and six passes broken up.