In anticipation of the NFL draft, three LSU Tigers were invited to the 100th annual East-West Shrine Bowl in Texas.

This event offers players an opportunity to boost their draft stock before April. Zy Alexander, Greg Penn III and Josh Williams joined over 100 other prospects from across the country. With input from all 32 NFL teams, players are meticulously hand-picked to join a long-standing legacy of players who show draft potential.

Here’s a look at each prospect invited to Shrine Bowl week:

Zy Alexander

Alexander began his collegiate career at Southeastern; he was initially expected to play quarterback but chose defensive back. Alexander wasted no time establishing himself as a standout defensive player.

He earned FCS All-American and first-team All-Southland Conference honors his freshman year, tying for the third-highest interception total in school history with six picks. Transferring to LSU for his junior year, he started the first eight games before a season-ending ACL tear cut his season short.

Alexander bounced back in 2024 with 33 total tackles and two interceptions. Alexander allowed one or fewer catches in six games this season. Alexander’s 41 yards allowed this season is best of qualifying corners among Power Four teams, according to PFF.

“Showing everything, showing I can tackle, showing that I’m a lockdown corner and that I have ball-hawk skills,” Alexander said of his pre-draft plans.

Alexander’s ability to quiet the production of whoever lines up across from him positions him as a day-two pick.

At the Shrine Bowl, Alexander was inactive for an undisclosed reason but was walking the sideline in a boot.

Greg Penn III

Greg Penn III came to LSU in 2021, played 10 games as a true freshman and quickly became a foundational player.

This season, he had a personal best of 86 total tackles. Penn started all 13 games this past season and finished with six tackles at the postseason Texas Bowl.

Penn says his physicality, processing and leadership set him apart as a prospect.

“I’m playing down in Fort Lauderdale at XPE. It’s just two-a-days, workouts, a lot of stretching, a lot of running.”

Penn was the only LSU player to play in the Shrine Bowl. During his snaps he showed his ability to sift through blocks and attack the ball carrier. He finished with two tackles, including a stop near the goal line.

Penn projects as a day-three pick.

Josh Williams

From walk-on to the coveted No. 18, Josh Williams is in his sixth season with the Tigers. He started his LSU career with the 2019 team. Any pro team looking for an experienced back can find one in Williams.

Williams ended his 2024 season with six touchdowns, 482 yards, ending at 4.1 yards per carry. He caught 31 balls for 263 yards. Williams is also an asset as a back who can block.

His growth and leadership on the team did not go unnoticed. He’s been said to be a big part of the chemistry behind the team and continues to help mentor younger teammates.

“I just want to go out there and play my best. Fast, free and physical. Just control my effort and go from there.”

Williams projects as a day-three pick. He has met with at least seven NFL teams already.

He was inactive during the Shrine Bowl game.