DES MOINES, Iowa – Former Drake University standout Eric Saubert generated a lot of buzz last week at the 92nd East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg, Fla.
 
Playing for the East squad in college football's longest running all-star game, Saubert was only targeted twice but couldn't haul in either pass as both passes were tough balls to catch. He also showed his versatility playing on special teams, playing on punt return and punt coverage.
 
Perhaps more importantly, most observers reported that Saubert had an impressive week of practice leading up to the game, with the workout being watched by hunderes of NFL general managers, scouts and coaches throughout the week. In fact, during the NFL Network's broadcast of Saturday's game, analyst Mike Mayock identified Saubert improved his draft stock and thus "made money" by impressing scouts during the practice week.
 
NFL Draft Analyst for Rotoworld, Josh Norris wrote, "The top player entering the week for me exits in that top spot as well. Saubert is a receiving tight end who gives effort. He can be an asset in a team's passing game at 6-foot-5, 245-pounds. Saubert was a topic of conversation when I spoke with a director of college scouting. I suggested Saubert could be considered in rounds 3-5 in other years, but not this year due to the depth of this year's tight end class. He shook his head, saying a talented player won't drop because of the other talent at his position. The director of college scouting noted that Saubert ran a 4.69 this spring. "That is straight out of bed. Straight off of spring break. No training. If a guy can run, he will run."
 
Saubert will continue to prepare for the NFL Combine, which will be held Feb. 28-March 6 in Indianapolis, as he was official invited earlier this month.