Things were very quiet on the NFL Draft front for Virginia Tech last spring and there was a good reason for that. The players who could have declared for the draft decided to return to Blacksburg for the 2024 season. Now several of those players are ready to make the jump to the next level and six of them are looking to increase their draft stock at the NFL Combine next month.
We are still a little over thre months away from the draft in Green Bay and while it’s very unlikely that any former Virginia Tech players hear their names called early, some will certainly have their names called before all is said and done. Let’s take a look at where some of the Hokies who are draft-eligible and where they are projected to land.
Dorian Strong
Last season, one player who could have made the jump to the NFL was cornerback Dorian Strong, but he was one of many players who committed to come back for one more season in college. He played in 11 games this past season for the Hokies and had another very good season.
According to mock drafts, Strong is expected to go in the third round, although it wouldn’t be surprising to see him go in the second. Last month, CBS Sports listed their 2025 NFL Draft top 150 prospects and he came in at No. 130.
Antwaun Powell-Ryland
One player who raised their draft stock this season was edge Antwaun Powell-Ryland, who finished with 16 sacks. His two seasons in Blacksburg were good ones after starting his career at Florida. He was the highest-ranked Virginia Tech player at CBS Sports, coming in at No. 127.
Mock drafts have him going mostly in the fifth round, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him go a round higher. It feels like a middle-round selection will be the likely outcome.
Bhayshul Tuten
Another player who made the case to get drafted this spring was running back Bhayshul Tuten. The North Carolina A&T transfer had two good years in Blacksburg and this season he had 15 touchdowns and nearly 1,200 rushing yards while battling an ankle injury.
Right now he seems to be a middle-round pick, maybe even dropping down to the fifth round, but there is no doubt that he’ll hear his name called in Green Bay.
Aeneas Peebles
When Duke transfer Aeneas Peebles committed to Virginia Tech last winter in the portal, he solidified the defensive line with Powell-Ryland. He ended up being good against the run and pressuring the quarterback. He came up with some big tackles at times.
He is another projected fifth-round pick, but that could change with a good combine in Indianapolis.
Jaylin Lane
This season Jaylin Lane filled a number of options for the Hokies at wide receiver and returning punts. He has good speed and as we saw at times over the last two seasons, he’s a good route runner and often gets behind the secondary.
He is not projected at this time to be picked in the draft by the NFL Mock Draft Database, but it’s likely he can open some eyes at the combine and there is no question that a team would take a chance with him as an undrafted free agent.
Da’Quan Felton
Norfolk State transfer Da’Quan Felton had two good years with the Hokies in Blacksburg and is now hoping to open some eyes at the combine and get on teams radars. Right now like Lane, Felton is projected to sign somewhere as an undrafted free agent and is someone worth taking a flyer on.