ATLANTA - The East-West Shrine Bowl announced its All-Century team on Tuesday, celebrating the upcoming 100th edition of the oldest college football all-star game in the nation. Former Bulldogs Lorenzo Neal and Logan Mankins represented Fresno State on the All-Century team.
Neal appeared in the 68th edition of the East-West Shrine Game in 1993. Mankins played in the 80th edition of the game in 2005. In addition to the All-Century Team, the College Football Hall of Fame unveiled an exhibit surrounding the 100th East-West Shrine Bowl.
The 100th East-West Shrine Bowl will kickoff on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. CT and be nationally televised in prime time on NFL Network.
Neal, a fullback for the Bulldogs from 1989-92, became one of the top rushers in program history as an all-american running back and eventual four-time NFL Pro Bowl selection. Neal, a native of Lemoore, Calif., left his mark on the Fresno State Football record books, sitting Top 10 in Fresno State history in career rushing yards (No. 9 - 2,405 yards), career rushing attempts (No. 10 - 487), career rushing touchdowns (No. 9 - 27), and career pass receptions by a running back (No. 8 - 59).
He left Fresno State as a 1992 All-American and Freedom Bowl MVP. Neal also had a pair of all-conference honors in his time as a Bulldog, earning first team All-Big West (1991) and second team All-WAC (1992) honors. He was selected to the East West Shrine Bowl, Japan Bowl, and Hula Bowl in his time as a 'Dog. Additionally, Neal competed for the Fresno State wrestling program and achieved all-american honors in 1992.
Neal was a fourth round NFL Draft pick to the New Orleans Saints in the 1993 draft. He would go on to have a prolific professional career, having played 16 seasons in the NFL.
Considered one of the best blocking fullbacks in NFL history, he was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and a three-time All-Pro honoree.
Neal was named a Modern-Era nominee for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2021.
Mankins was a Bulldog offensive lineman from 2000-04. After missing the 2003 season to injury, he roared back in 2004 to stamp himself as one of the best linemen in Fresno State history during his stellar career.
The Bulldog offensive lineman started 40 games for the Bulldogs, which got started as a first-year player in 2001 protecting future No. 1 pick David Carr. That 2001 group became the first in NCAA history to produce a 4,000 passer, a 1,000-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers.
Mankins was a first team All-WAC selection and a second team Walter Camp All-American in 2004. He was a first team freshman All-American in 2001.
Mankins was a first-round draft choice (32nd overall) by the New England Patriots out of Fresno State in the 2005 NFL Draft. He spent his first nine professional seasons with New England, going to a pair of Super Bowls, then was traded to Tampa Bay in 2014 where he played two more seasons. Mankins durability was one of his strongest traits, playing in 161 of a possible 176 games during his career. He was a seven time Pro-Bowl selection, and was a first team All-Pro in 2010, and second team All-Pro five times (2007, 2009, 2011-13).
Mankins was a modern-Era nominee for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2021.
