University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: AINSLEY E. FAUTH
Five Tar Heels Tabbed To East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List
July 22, 2026 | Football
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Five North Carolina football players have been named to the 2027 Shriners Children's East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List, which recognizes the nation's top NFL Draft-eligible players for the upcoming season.
Defensive back Kaleb Cost, defensive linemen Melkart Abou Jaoude and Donovan Hoilette Jr., quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. and wide receiver Mason Humphrey were tabbed to the preseason list.
Cost appeared in 11 of the team's 12 games last season and registered 45 tackles, two tackles for loss, five pass breakups and an interception. Abou Jaoude was a Second Team All-ACC selection a season ago, after ranking fifth nationally and leading the conference in sacks with 10.5. That mark was the sixth most in a single season in Tar Heel history.
Hoilette joined the program in January after spending the previous four seasons at Richmond. In 2025, he was a First Team All-Patriot League honoree with 48 tackles and 13 tackles for loss. Edwards missed most of last season with an injury, but started 11 games and threw for 2,881 yards with 15 passing touchdowns in 2024.
Humphrey reeled in 35 passes for 650 yards with four touchdowns last year at Lehigh, averaging a team-best 18.6 yards per catch.
The goal for the Shriners Children's East-West Bowl 1000 is to serve as a look into the scouting process, as well as begin to preview college players who are currently all-star game eligible for the 2027 Shriners Children's East-West Bowl and 2027 NFL Draft class. Every year, approximately 1000 all-star game eligible players are drafted, signed after the draft, or attend a rookie mini-camp.
The East-West Bowl staff scouted players from all four levels of football and consulted with NFL and college personnel to ensure the selection of the best 1000 players for the NFL level.
The Shriners Children's East-West Bowl is a best-in-class all-star event that will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on February 4, 2027. 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.Â
For more information about the 2027 game, visit this link.
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Defensive back Kaleb Cost, defensive linemen Melkart Abou Jaoude and Donovan Hoilette Jr., quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. and wide receiver Mason Humphrey were tabbed to the preseason list.
Cost appeared in 11 of the team's 12 games last season and registered 45 tackles, two tackles for loss, five pass breakups and an interception. Abou Jaoude was a Second Team All-ACC selection a season ago, after ranking fifth nationally and leading the conference in sacks with 10.5. That mark was the sixth most in a single season in Tar Heel history.
Hoilette joined the program in January after spending the previous four seasons at Richmond. In 2025, he was a First Team All-Patriot League honoree with 48 tackles and 13 tackles for loss. Edwards missed most of last season with an injury, but started 11 games and threw for 2,881 yards with 15 passing touchdowns in 2024.
Humphrey reeled in 35 passes for 650 yards with four touchdowns last year at Lehigh, averaging a team-best 18.6 yards per catch.
The goal for the Shriners Children's East-West Bowl 1000 is to serve as a look into the scouting process, as well as begin to preview college players who are currently all-star game eligible for the 2027 Shriners Children's East-West Bowl and 2027 NFL Draft class. Every year, approximately 1000 all-star game eligible players are drafted, signed after the draft, or attend a rookie mini-camp.
The East-West Bowl staff scouted players from all four levels of football and consulted with NFL and college personnel to ensure the selection of the best 1000 players for the NFL level.
The Shriners Children's East-West Bowl is a best-in-class all-star event that will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on February 4, 2027. 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.Â
For more information about the 2027 game, visit this link.
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Players Mentioned
Defensive Line
/ Football
Defensive Back
/ Football
Quarterback
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Defensive Line
/ Football
Wide Receiver
/ FootballMonday, July 20
Saturday, July 18
Saturday, July 18
Saturday, July 18