JONESBORO, Ark. (7/28/25) – Four players from the Arkansas State football team have been named to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List, which identifies the nation’s top NFL draft eligible players for its all-star game in late January.

The four Red Wolves are quarterback Jaylen Raynor, running back Ja’Quez Cross, wide receiver Corey Rucker and defensive end Bryan Whitehead.

The 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl will be played at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas on January 27, 2026. Players will be coached by NFL coaches, in an NFL facility and will have access to NFL-level resources, facilities, player-friendly schedules, and opportunities at the highest level.

Cross appeared in all 13 games last season and totaled 638 rushing yards and a pair of scores. He posted back-to-back 100-plus yard rushing games against Texas State and Southern Miss. He added 35 catches for 228 receiving yards and snagged his first receiving touchdown in win at Southern Miss. Cross possesses four career 100-yard rushing games in his time at A-State.

Cross has been the primary kickoff returner the past two seasons at A-State totaling 1,129 yards on kickoff return in that span. Last season, he returned 24 kickoffs for 475 yards and holds a career average of 24.0 yards per return. He had a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in 2023 against Texas State. He is a First Team Preseason All-Sun Belt pick at all-purpose back and a second team selection at running back and return specialist. He was also a Third Team Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference pick by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports.

Rucker becomes the fifth player in Arkansas State history to be named to the Maxwell Award Watch List, joining wide receiver Kirk Merritt (2019) and quarterbacks Layne Hatcher (2021), Justice Hansen (2018) and Fredi Knighten (2015).

Rucker enters the 2025 season with the most career receiving yards in Arkansas State history (3,037), second-most career touchdown catches (23) and second-most career receptions (180). Rucker became A-State’s seventh player to total 1,000 receiving yards in a season with 1,053 yards on 69 catches, the fourth-most receiving yards in a single season in program history. He averaged 81.0 yards per game and had five games with 100-plus yard performances. He had a season-high 193 receiving yards on 12 catches against Troy and a long reception of 79 yards in the 68 Ventures Bowl victory against Bowling Green.

A two-time Second Team All-Conference honoree (2021, 2024) and 2021 FWAA Freshman All-America pick, Rucker was selected First Team Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference. He is also a First Team Preseason All-Sun Belt pick by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports publications.

Named Third Team All-Sun Belt Conference last season, Whitehead made 10 starts and appeared in all 13 games totaling 24 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks. He led the team with 15 quarterback hurries and his team-high 10.5 TFL were for 29 yards. He was named SBC Defensive Player of the Week following a career-high 3.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble at Georgia State. Garnered First Team All-Sun Belt Conference recognition and was a First Team Preseason All-Sun Belt pick by Athlon Sports and Second Team Preseason All-Sun Belt pick by Phil Steele. 

The Red Wolves are coming off back-to-back bowl appearances, including a win in the 2024 68 Ventures Bowl against Bowling Green. A-State is among four FBS programs to increase its regular season win total every season since 2022.

Arkansas State will kick off its 2025 season at home on Aug. 30, when the Red Wolves host Southeast Missouri at 6:00 p.m. Season tickets may be purchased by calling the Red Wolves Foundation at 870-972-2401 or online by visiting AStateRedWolves.com/Tickets.