Virginia Tech football: NFL Hokies in the playoffs

After a crazy week 18, the NFL playoffs are set with many former Virginia Tech football stars helping their teams to the postseason. There were a lot of former Hokies that had good 2021 seasons but there are five who are still in the hunt for the Super Bowl.

Las Vegas Raiders

Divine Deablo – LB

Deablo was selected in the third round with the 80th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and he’s enjoyed a nice rookie season for the Raiders. On the season he’s appeared in all but one game this season and has tallied 22 solo tackles and 17 assisted.

In the Raiders must win week 18 game against the Chargers, Deablo had six total tackles and a fumble recovery in the 35-32 overtime win.

Brandon Facyson – CB

Facyson spent his first three seasons in the league with the Los Angeles Chargers. He has had an impressive first season in Vegas playing in 12 games and registering 51 total tackles, 38 of which were solo. He also had 13 passes defended and an interception.

Against his former team in the regular-season finale, he had six tackles and two passes defended.

The Raiders travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals in the NFL Wild Card Round on Saturday, January 15 at 4:30 p.m.

Buffalo Bills

Tremaine Edmunds – LB

In his fourth season, Edmunds started all 15 games that he appeared in for the Bills this season. Compared to his previous seasons in Buffalo this one was a bit of a down year but he still was an asset on this defense. He finished the regular season with 90 tackles, 52 of which were solo, and an interception.

Buffalo hosts conference foes, New England on Saturday, January 15 at 8:15 p.m. Buffalo has gone 1-1 against the Patriots with the last meeting being a 33-21 win for the Bills.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Terrell Edmunds – S

The Steelers  had no business making it to the playoffs but got a lucky break thanks to an overtime win against the Ravens and a win by the Raiders. In 17 games he’s got 49 solo tackles, a sack, and two interceptions.

Pittsburgh travels to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs Sunday night at 8:15.

Green Bay Packers

Yosh Nijman – T

Nijman has appeared in 17 games for the Packers this season, picking up the start in eight of those contests. After battling through injuries early on in his career Nijman has had a bit of a breakout season this year. He’s been great on this Packers offensive line helping to protect Aaron Rodgers. According to PFF Nijman has played a total of 590 snaps and allowed just three sacks.

Green Bay earned the No. 1 seed in the NFC and earned the bye for the first week of playoffs.

In addition to the current players, there are some Hokies in the coaching ranks as well.

Bruce Arians – Head Coach, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Cody Grimm – Defensive/Special Teams Assistant, Buccaneers

Nick Rapone – Safeties, Buccaneers

Anthony Midget – Secondary coach, Tennessee Titans

Darryl Tapp – Assistant Defensive Line, San Francisco 49ers