Now that the dust has settled on the 2026 NFL Draft, it was another uneventful draft for the Virginia Tech program. This year was a different reason as to why it was quiet compared to the 2024 NFL Draft.
Two years ago, the Hokies and former head coach Brent Pry had a ton of retention from their 2023 team that had some NFL players on it. Following a disappointing 2024 season, some players his the Transfer Portal and some entered the NFL Draft, and a handful got picked. Some even made an impact last season with their teams.
This year, one former Hokies player, cornerback Mansoor Delane, was selected sixth overall by the Kansas City Chiefs after he spent last season at LSU. However, in the overall big picture, the lack of draft picks slams the door shut on the Brent Pry era as head coach in Blacksburg.
Virginia Tech joins a select company with a lack of draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft
Virginia Tech was one of eight teams without a draft pick this past weekend. The Hokies joined Colorado, North Carolina, Oklahoma State, Syracuse, Purdue, UCLA, Virginia, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. The on common theme with each of those schools? Except for Virginia, they all had a losing record. Imagine winning 11 games and not having a draft pick?
Power Four teams w/out a 2026 NFL Draft pick (2025 record)
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) April 27, 2026
Colorado (3-9)
North Carolina (4-8)
Oklahoma State (1-11)
Purdue (2-10)
Syracuse (3-9)
UCLA (3-9)
Virginia (11-3)
Virginia Tech (3-9)
West Virginia (4-8)
Wisconsin (4-8)
Times are likely going to change in Blacksburg with James Franklin on board. His success in sending players to the NFL from his days at Penn State is widely known, and it should continue at Virginia Tech. It wouldn't be surprising if it started as soon as next season.
Look, Pry is a great guy, just not head coaching material at the Power 4 Conference level. You have to give him credit for being able to walk back into the building in Blacksburg three months after he was fired to agree to become Franklin's defensive coordinator. He might actually be successful, like he was in State College, and turn around a defense that struggled last season. The lack of talent last year at Virginia Tech has been exposed, but now it's time to turn the page, and a new era begins in the fall.
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