Building the Beast: Shrine Bowl preview and CFP National Championship Game takeaways

Summary of Building the Beast: Shrine Bowl preview and CFP National Championship Game takeaways

by The Athletic

47m•January 21, 2026
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Overview of Building the Beast: Shrine Bowl preview and CFP National Championship Game takeaways

This episode of The Athletic’s Building the Beast (host Dave Hellman, with Dane Brugler) recaps the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship (Indiana 27, Miami 21), evaluates standout players and NFL draft implications, and previews the East–West Shrine Bowl with a long interview with Eric Galco (director of football operations/player personnel for the Shrine Bowl). The show closes by laying out the immediate next steps in the college-to-NFL calendar (Shrine Bowl week → Senior Bowl → combine) and highlights players scouts should be watching.

National Championship — quick recap and main takeaways

  • Final: Indiana 27, Miami 21. Indiana completed a 16–0 season and beat four high-profile opponents (Ohio State, Alabama, Oregon, Miami) down the stretch — the hosts called it one of the most impressive team title runs in recent memory.
  • Game character: Tight, physical, playoff-style contest. Miami’s pressure and pass rush kept them competitive; Indiana’s resolve, balanced offense and special teams were decisive.
  • Key plays: A pivotal late fourth-quarter fourth-and-5 conversion/touchdown by Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza (described as a “legendary,” clutch, warrior-like moment) swung momentum and is a lasting image from the game.
  • Coaching/clutch: Kurt Sweeney’s aggressive fourth-down decisions and Mendoza’s toughness under consistent pressure were repeatedly highlighted as emblematic of Indiana’s run.

Player performance notes (NFL implications)

  • Fernando Mendoza (Indiana, QB)

    • Praised for toughness, poise under pressure, leadership; Heisman winner referenced in the episode.
    • Seen as a legitimate top-1 overall pick candidate. Hosts argue Mendoza is not “generational” but projects as a long-term starter who can help teams win now (realistic target: team-building QB likely to be a quality top-15 QB in his career).
    • Raiders (Tom Brady/Mark Davis/John Spanos in attendance) expected to be heavily invested in Mendoza in draft planning.

  • Miami defenders and edge rushers

    • Ruben Bain: violent, high-upside pass rusher/run defender; playoff tape elevated his stock after some uneven midseason production.
    • Akeem Mesidor and Amon Moten: strong season finish; Moten’s status may hinge on whether he returns to school (he’s a junior).
    • D’Angelo Ponds (corner): physical, ball-competitive performance in the title game — argued as a mid-round target who could stick as a nickel/outside hybrid in the NFL despite smaller size.

  • Miami offense / Carson Beck (QB)

    • Beck had a mostly clean performance until the end; late interception under a minute was critical. Durability of accuracy and turnovers (career interceptions) are noted as limits to his top-tier starter upside; likely a high-quality backup or spot starter at pro level.

  • Other players mentioned

    • Indiana: Elijah Surratt (quiet in title game due to rush), Omar Cooper, Charlie Becker (big-play WR — not draft-eligible this year but a crucial part of Indiana’s run).
    • Miami: Mark Fletcher (powerful RB; likely returning to Miami but draft-eligible timing noted), Malachi Tony (true freshman receiver with big season; not draft-eligible now).

Shrine Bowl preview — what’s changed, format, and why it matters

  • Eric Galco’s mission (5th year leading the event): rebuild the Shrine Bowl into the premier all‑star, pre-draft event by prioritizing player experience, NFL access, and relevant scouting content.
  • Innovations and added features:
    • Wilson throwing session (pro‑day style QB work).
    • Analytics competition (similar to Big Data Bowl) to provide teams with additional evaluation tools.
    • Practice film and data made available to NFL personnel/media — increasing transparency and scouting value.
  • Player care: emphasis on keeping prospects healthy (no Shrine Bowl injuries that prevented combine testing in the last several years), and on facilitating strong team-player-agent relationships.

Shrine Bowl — roster groups and players to watch

  • Defensive line / edge rushers

    • Malachi Lawrence (UCF, edge): repeatedly called out by NFL personnel as a name to watch — length, production, finishing ability; could rise during the pre-draft process.
    • Daryl Jackson (DT): extreme size (6'5", 340, huge hands/arms) — projected as one of the highest‑drafted Shrine players.
    • Amon Moten, Ruben Bain, Akeem Mesidor — Miami pass-rush group noted as strong.

  • Interior defensive line / DTs

    • DeMont (or Demonte) Capehart and others who have first-round mock history — opportunity to reassert first‑round upside.

  • Linebacker / hybrid defensive backs

    • Cole Wisniewski (Texas Tech / NDSU background): projected versatile DB/LB hybrid who could impact on special teams and in coverage/box roles early.

  • Skills (WR / RB / TE / QB)

    • Malik Benson (Oregon): transfer receiver who earned better cross-regional visibility, expected to draw interest.
    • Jack Endries (TE) and a deep tight-end group (Bauer Sharp, Jared Koenig, Dallin Bentley, Eli Raritan): tight end class is deep and a big part of the Shrine roster; many are expected to be drafted across rounds 2–6.
    • DeMond Claiborne (senior RB) flagged as the top senior RB this class and a strong mid‑round candidate.
    • Quarterbacks: Cade Klubnick, Haynes King, Mark Gronowski, Baron Morton, Joe Fagnano — range of roles anticipated (quality backups, potential spot starters). Scouts value the “room-ready” types (Gronowski and King compared to Brock Purdy-type profiles for readiness/consistency).

  • Day‑3 / immediate-impact candidates highlighted by Galco

    • Chris Hilton (LSU WR): long on talent; projection that he will test very well and could be a late‑day pick who helps early.
    • Cole Wisniewski: versatile DB/LB type projected to contribute early in nickel/special teams.
    • Other names repeated: Harold Perkins (LSU tweener with multiple potential NFL roles), Brian Parker (Duke), Xavier Thomas (LSU).

Notable insights and quotes (summary)

  • “This might be the most impressive national championship team I’ve seen in my lifetime” — on Indiana’s complete team performance and coaching.
  • On Mendoza: “Get this guy on my team. What a fricking warrior.” (comments emphasize intangibles and toughness that boost draft value).
  • On Shrine Bowl approach: player-first, NFL-relevant innovation (analytics, pro-day style sessions, expanded practice film access) to re-establish the game’s pre-draft importance.

Action items / next steps and timeline

  • Immediate: Shrine Bowl week (Frisco) — practices, pro-style sessions, analytics event, game film release for scouts/media.
  • Follow-up events: Senior Bowl, NFL Combine, continued pre-draft scouting throughout spring.
  • For listeners: The hosts’ listener survey is open at theathletic.com/survey26 (prize drawing noted).

Bottom line (who to watch, what matters)

  • Fernando Mendoza: cemented as the leading QB prospect in this cycle; he boosted his stock with postseason toughness and big-game performance.
  • Miami pass-rush group (Bain, Mesidor, Moten) and several Shrine Bowl D‑line prospects (Daryl Jackson, Malachi Lawrence) — pass rush / interior D-line are strength areas for this draft class.
  • Shrine Bowl is more relevant than ever: expect several players to use the week (and the ensuing combine) to climb draft boards — edge, DT, TE, and WR groups are ones to track closely.
  • The episode’s framing: the college season ends but the draft and evaluation season begins immediately — scouts, teams, and media will focus on Shrine Bowl → Senior Bowl → Combine tape and testing to finalize grades.

Credits: Episode host Dave Hellman; regular contributor Dane Brugler; guest Eric Galco (East–West Shrine Bowl director).