Bay's Warren to play in East-West Shrine Game

ST. PETERSBURG — USF offensive guard Jeremiah Warren would have been content had his college football career ended Dec. 1 with a loss to West Virginia. A simple invitation changed those plans.

Warren will play in the 87th annual East-West Shrine Game, which takes place at 3 p.m. CST Saturday at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, a slight jaunt from Warren and USF, nestled in Tampa. The former Bay High School standout admitted he was surprised to get the invite, but he is making the most of the opportunity in the game that attracts national attention.

The East-West Shrine Game, held also as a benefit event for Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, is the longest-running all-star contest. Warren will play for the East team and is among a group of four guards, including his former Big East rival Desmond Wynn of Rutgers.

“It was truly a blessing that I got the invite,” Warren said on Wednesday after attending an offensive players’ meeting. “I was shocked with the fact that I got to play.

“I’m here to come out and show my talents, my abilities, what assets I can bring to (an NFL) team. To have this experience in a very prestigious game is a great honor.”

Warren and the other guards will likely play on a rotational basis. He said none of the guards have been informed who would start Saturday, but each will see plenty of time. However, much of the evaluation is done prior to the game, with a week of special events and mingling with National Football League scouts and team representatives.

The week began with a trip to Shriner’s Hospital that Warren called a “humbling experience.” It also included official weigh-ins with NFL personnel, daily practices and luncheons with special guests.

“When we got here we filled out paperwork and we all tried to make our way around to make sure we introduced ourselves to as many NFL teams as we could,” Warren said. “Just meeting people that represent an organization that you wouldn’t mind playing for is amazing.”

Something helping Warren stand out, aside from his 6-foot-3, 336-pound frame, is his longevity. He was a three-year starter for the Bulls, including manning the left tackle position in 2009. He switched to left guard during that season and made 38 straight starts.

“One thing is you always have to play through pain,” Warren said. “You’ll always have bumps and bruises, it was a blessing to stay healthy and play like it for three years.”

NFL teams cherish players without injury concerns. Warren has retained an agent, Eugene Lee of ETL Sports, and has been informed he’s projected as a possible NFL Draft selection between the fourth and sixth rounds. Warren has not received an invite to the NFL Combine, but he will participate in USF’s Pro Day March 20.

Being chosen by an NFL team would only be part of his goal. The next would be to lock up a spot on the roster with a nice contract.

“It would mean a great deal to me, especially coming out of Panama City,” Warren said. “It’s a dream to be able to do the things I've done. I’m still trying to move forward with that dream and I’ve learned so much from being in college both on and off the field.”

The first step toward achieving his dream starts Saturday. Then the whirlwind until April commences soon after. And Warren has already secured future plans if the whole football thing doesn’t work out.

He graduated in December with a degree in interdisciplinary social sciences, with concentrations in communications and African studies. He could go a number of directions with the degree, including teaching and counseling.

“It’s always good to have a degree to fall back on,” Warren said.

Reed to compete in Battle of Florida: Former Bay product and Florida State wide receiver Bert Reed will join five other Seminoles in Saturday’s 7 p.m. Battle of Florida at FAU’s stadium in Boca Raton. Reed will play for the North in the game that is comprised solely of NFL draft-eligible players from Florida.

FSU’s Ty Jones, Jermaine Thomas, Terrance Parks and JaBaris Little also will play for the North, which is coached by former Seminole mentor Bobby Bowden. FSU’s Beau Reliford will play for the South, which is coached by FAU’s Howard Schnellenberger.

Reed finished his career with 170 receptions for 2,022 yards and 10 touchdowns. He is fourth on FSU’s career receptions list.