Four Red Wolves Named to East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List Ahead of 2025 Season
Four standout players from the Arkansas State football program have been named to the prestigious East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List, which identifies the top NFL Draft-eligible players in the country for the annual all-star game, scheduled for January 27, 2026, at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Quarterback Jaylen Raynor, running back Ja’Quez Cross, wide receiver Corey Rucker, and defensive end Bryan Whitehead were each selected for the list, placing them among the most highly regarded prospects in college football.
Raynor, entering his third season as A-State’s starting quarterback, has already cemented himself as one of the program’s most productive signal-callers. The 2023 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year has compiled 5,326 passing yards and 33 touchdowns in his career, while adding three rushing scores.
In 2024, Raynor threw for 2,783 yards and 16 touchdowns, including a career-long 79-yard completion in the 68 Ventures Bowl victory over Bowling Green, where he was named Offensive MVP. He also rushed for a career-best 114 yards at Georgia State and completed 76.9% of his passes in a standout performance against South Alabama.
Raynor enters the 2025 season with numerous preseason honors, including Second Team All-Sun Belt from Athlon Sports and Fourth Team from Phil Steele.
Cross emerged as one of the most versatile players in the Sun Belt last season. Appearing in all 13 games, he rushed for 638 yards and two touchdowns while adding 35 receptions for 228 yards and one score. He recorded back-to-back 100-yard rushing games against Texas State and Southern Miss and has four 100-yard games in his career.
In the return game, Cross has been electric, totaling over 1,100 kickoff return yards over the last two seasons. He averaged 24.0 yards per return and returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown in 2023 against Texas State.
Cross was named a First Team Preseason All-Sun Belt pick at all-purpose back and earned additional preseason honors at running back and return specialist from both Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.
Rucker continues to climb the ranks as one of Arkansas State’s all-time great wide receivers. Heading into 2025, he holds the school record for career receiving yards (3,037), ranks second in both career touchdown receptions (23) and career catches (180).
He posted 1,053 receiving yards on 69 catches last season, becoming just the seventh player in program history to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in a single year. His season-high 193-yard game against Troy and 79-yard reception in the 68 Ventures Bowl showcased his big-play potential.
Rucker is a First Team Preseason All-Sun Belt selection by both league coaches and national publications and has previously earned two Second Team All-Conference nods and a spot on the 2021 FWAA Freshman All-America Team.
Whitehead was a force on the defensive line in 2024, earning Third Team All-Sun Belt honors after recording 24 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 4.0 sacks. He also led the Red Wolves with 15 quarterback hurries.
His breakout performance came at Georgia State, where he totaled 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and a forced fumble — earning him Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week.
Whitehead is a First Team Preseason All-Sun Belt pick by Athlon Sports and was named to the Second Team by Phil Steele.
Arkansas State is coming off back-to-back bowl appearances, including a dominant victory in the 2024 68 Ventures Bowl. The Red Wolves are one of just four FBS programs to have increased their regular season win total each year since 2022.
The 2025 season kicks off on Saturday, August 30, when the Red Wolves host Southeast Missouri at Centennial Bank Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
With a talented roster and four rising stars gaining national recognition, A-State looks poised to build on its momentum and contend for a Sun Belt title in 2025.