Bronson Kaufusi accepts invite to play in the 2016 East West Shine Game

After four years of dominating the trenches for BYU, defensive tackle Bronson Kaufusi will most likely get a chance to take his talents to the next level. Before taking that next step he'll get a chance to prove himself while playing against a select group of players from across the country.

Early Wednesday morning the Shrine Game announced that Bronson had accepted their invitation to play in the collegiate showcase that helps NFL bound talent give coaches one last look before the draft.

Bronson Kaufusi of BYU has accepted the invitation to play in the 2016 East West #ShrineGame https://t.co/ojzA58ebVh

— Shrine Game (@Shrine_Game) December 16, 2015

The East West Shrine game, which will be played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL on January 23rd, is a week long event where standout players from college football teams meet to participate in practices with current and former NFL coaches and a game that is televised on the NFL Network. The last time BYU had players competing in the Shine Game was back in 2014 when safety Daniel Sorensen and tight end Kaneakua Friel played for the West team.

Kaufusi has had a monster season for BYU, notching statistics is just about every category as he's helped resurrect the defense that had struggled in 2014. So far in 2015 Kaufusi has recorded 55 tackles (38 solo, 17 assists) 11 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles (with one recovery), six QB hurries, one pass breakup and one interception. Oh and let's not forget his FOUR blocked kicks this season.

It's unclear what Kaufusi's exact draft stock is at the time. National pundits have raved about his size and speed but as it currently stands no draft site or publication has listed Bronson in their top 10 defensive ends list. That's most likely to change as there is a lot of time from now until the draft for Bronson to prove himself at the Shrine Game, the combine (if he is invited) and other pro day workouts.