The East-West Shrine Bowl is upon us. More than 100 prospects have made the trip to Frisco, Texas, to take part in the nation's longest-running college all-star game, a week highlighted by practices and drills as players compete to earn a spot on an NFL roster.

The spotlight turns to the main event tonight, when the East and West rosters square off on a nationally televised stage to showcase their skills. The Buccaneers' scouting department will be in attendance as they continue building their draft board ahead of April.

Last week, we pinpointed the top offensive talent in this year's participants at the Shrine Bowl. Today, we shift our focus to defense. The Bucs have a few unanswered questions on the defensive side of the ball. Will Lavonte David hang up his cleats? What is the route to producing more pressure? How will they address the depth in the secondary? Now is the perfect time to get familiar with the buzzworthy names taking tonight's stage and how they might fit into the Krewe.

Let's take a look at the top-five defensive prospects at the East-West Shrine Bowl who could interest the Buccaneers come draft night.

LB Jake Golday - Cincinnati

First, let's address linebacker. The heart and soul of the Bucs' defense and blueprint of the team's "I Am That Man" draft strategy just finished his 14th season in the league. With 1,714 career tackles, he is tied with Derrick Brooks as Tampa Bay's all-time leading tackler. David also joined Ray Lewis as the only players in NFL history with 1,500-plus tackles, 40.0-plus sacks and 10-plus interceptions in their careers. He has produced a Hall-of-Fame-worthy career.

After more than a decade of dedication to the Krewe, there is a real possibility David will retire this offseason. If so, the Buccaneers would be left with a significant gap in the front seven. The good news is the upcoming linebacker class is packed with potential. Turns out, one of the position group's most intriguing prospects is in attendance at this year's East-West Shrine Bowl.

Jake Golday is a 6-foot-4, 240-pound, freak athlete whose effort shines on tape. He started his career at Central Arkansas before transferring to Cincinnati for his junior and senior seasons respectively. In 2025, Golday amassed 105 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He also earned Big-12 honorable mention in 2024.

Golday's athleticism is undeniable. Once the play is diagnosed, he can use his speed to quickly fill gaps against the run and has the potential to become a reliable coverage linebacker at the next level. Golday also has familiarity with last year's fourth-round pick David Walker, as the two were teammates while playing at Central Arkansas. Golday is projected to be a second-round selection and it's easy to see why. He has the potential to become a long-term defensive anchor for a franchise.

LB Harold Perkins Jr. - LSU

Another linebacker who could interest the Bucs is LSU's Harold Perkins Jr. As a true freshman, he set the SEC on fire, earning first-team All-SEC honors in 2022 as an edge rusher. He transitioned to off-ball linebacker during his sophomore season where he continued to thrive, leading the conference with three forced fumbles. His third season was cut short due to a knee injury and he decided to return to Baton Rouge for one more year. During his senior campaign, Perkins totaled 56 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks and three interceptions.

Perkins plays much bigger than his 6-foot-1, 220-pound frame suggests. His speed stands out on tape, able to go sideline to sideline without breaking a sweat. Perkins projects as a dangerous pass rusher with an explosive first step and the agility to bend around the edge. He can virtually fit into any defensive scheme, having lined up everywhere from the defensive line to safety during his four years at LSU.

Despite not possessing the power some teams desire at the linebacker position, Perkins has the makeup to become a speedy, versatile chess piece in an NFL defense. Most sites view the 22-year-old as a third-or-fourth-round pick. With his athletic ability, Perkins has the chance to further impress scouts at tonight's Shrine Bowl and again at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.

LB Red Murdock - Buffalo

Another linebacker on the list? Absolutely. Sometimes production is king and Buffalo's Red Murdock provides just that.

Murdock is one of the most intriguing names on this year's East-West Shrine Bowl roster. On paper, his stats jump out. The second-team All-American finished 2025 with 142 tackles, the second-most in the nation. He also amassed 30.0 tackles for loss and 9.0 sacks within the past two seasons. Murdock is mainly known as a turnover machine, holding the FBS-record with 17 career forced fumbles. He has been a nightmare to opposing offenses in the MAC throughout his four-year career in Western New York.

The 6-foot-1, 240-pound senior attacks the run with violence, using his hands to shed blockers and get into the backfield. He uses the same approach as a blitzer, attempting to knock offensive linemen back to expose opposing quarterbacks. Teams would like to see Murdock improve his athleticism. He can occasionally get out of position against vertical routes from tight ends or receiving backs. Additionally, he lacks the lateral agility and speed to consistently perform in man coverage and outside run schemes, areas he will need to improve upon once he enters an NFL program.

In short, Murdock is a tough, gritty linebacker who has a passion for punching the ball out. Even with limitations in the passing game, Murdock still ranked as PFF's fourth-highest linebacker in 2025. He projects to be an impactful special teams contributor in his rookie season and should continue to elevate his game early in his career. Murdock is expected to be a late Day Three pick and will be one to watch tonight in Frisco.

CB Jadon Canady - Oregon

We now shift our view to the secondary. If the Buccaneers want to bolster their cornerback room, Oregon's Jadon Canady could provide a versatile depth piece who could develop in Tampa Bay's system.

Canady has been turning heads during Shrine Bowl practices. Many are becoming aware of his sticky play at slot corner, where he showcased his ability to track the ball. Although the Bucs hit the jackpot selecting slot corner Jacob Parrish in the third round of last year's draft, Canady has extensive experience at nickel, outside corner and safety throughout his five-year career.

The 22-year-old spent two years at Tulane and Ole Miss before spending his final season in Eugene. The Oregon Duck totaled 39 tackles, two interceptions and six passes defensed in 2025. PFF ranked him 20th out of 901 eligible cornerbacks and he allowed only one touchdown all of last year.

Canady's size (5-foot-11, 185-pounds) may limit his ceiling as a boundary corner in the NFL. Additionally, his over-aggressiveness can lead him to missing tackles on occasion. That being said, the corner's intangibles are undeniable. Mock drafts have him landing around the sixth round. With his impressive showing at this year's East-West Shrine Bowl, his stock is sure to rise.

EDGE Anthony Lucas - USC

It has been six seasons since a Bucs' pass rusher recorded more than 10 sacks in a season. In 2025, Tampa Bay finished at the bottom half of the league with 37 total sacks. The franchise continues to search for impactful players in free agency and the draft to generate more pressure. At the East-West Shrine Bowl, Anthony Lucas' measurables make him worth a closer look.

The USC Trojan stands just above 6-foot-4 and weighs 267 pounds, with more than ideal hand and arm length to excel as a defensive end. His senior season was his most productive, amassing 37 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and one forced fumble in 2025. Lucas' strength allows him to set the edge without giving up position. Additionally, he has a set of refined moves that can catch unprepared linemen off-guard. The Arizona-native possesses rare athleticism for a defensive lineman of his size.

Lucas' upside is easy to see, but his stats do not necessarily jump off the page. There were times when powerful offensive linemen neutralized his impact and shut down any adjustments. Lucas also suffered a lower-leg injury in 2024, raising questions about future durability. With all that in mind, the USC product earns his intrigue with his NFL build and athletic advantage. He is projected to be selected late on Day Two or early on Day Three. With the right development, Lucas has the physical tools to develop into a special player in the league.