After a quiet 2024 NFL Draft for former Virginia Tech football players, the 2025 draft in Green Bay feels like it’s going to be a lot different. After getting a ton of retainment last season, this season, the Hokies have a handful of players who were on the 2024 team and are expected to hear their name called at some point in late April.
Five of those hopefuls will be in Mobile, Alabama on Saturday afternoon to take part in the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl. This is one of the premier bowl games ahead of the draft and it also sets them up for the combine later next month.
Five former Virginia Tech players taking part in Senior Bowl
Five members of the 2024 Virginia Tech football team will be playing in the Senior Bowl on Saturday afternoon. All five have been on NFL teams’ radar for a while now. Running back Bhayshul Tuten, wide receivers Da’Quan Felton and Jaylin Lane, defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles, and cornerback Dorian Strong.
There are no former Hokies expected to go on Day 1 of the draft according to mock drafts and even Day 2 might be a stretch, although Strong is someone who could sneak his way into an early-round selection. Tuten is a player who could get more attention with a good week of practice and a good showing in the game.
One name missing from the Senior Bowl is edge Antwaun Powell-Ryland, but that’s because he’ll be taking part in the East-West Shrine Bowl on Thursday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
Regardless of how the Senior Bowl game goes, this is a premier game before the draft as it is a huge stepping stone for nearly 100 players each winter who end up getting drafted three months later. This year is no different.