The 2025 NFL Draft is just over three weeks away in Green Bay, and it is expected to be a busy one for former Virginia Tech stars. Since they played their final college game on Thanksgiving Weekend in a bowl-eligible victory over Virginia at Lane Stadium, some former Hokies have been performing well in all-star games, the NFL Combine, or Pro Day.
The stock has risen for some former players as the draft nears, and running back Bhayshul Tuten had a strong Combine and opened some eyes. Just how far Tuten and some other Hokies players climb on draft boards remains to be seen, but one player is quickly rising on ESPN’s board positional ranking.
Virginia Tech wide receiver Jaylin Lane climbs ESPN WR ranking ahead of draft
Aside from Tuten, wide receiver Jaylin Lane has raised his stock for the Draft, and ESPN ranked him as the 11th best receiver going to Wisconsin. He was one of the better wide receivers at the Reese’s Senior Bowl and stuck more than some of the other receivers who were bigger names. Here is what Steve Muench wrote about him,
"Lane put on a show at the combine finishing in the top three for the receivers in the 10-yard split (1.5), 40 (4.34), broad jump (11-feet), vertical jump (40Ó), 20-yard shuttle (4.12) and 3-cone (6.75). He's a dynamic player who caught, ran, passed and returned a punt for a touchdown in 2024. He's excellent with the ball in his hands. He's quick with the speed to pull away when he gets a crease. Lane makes defenders miss, breaks tackles and follows his blocks. He flashes as a route runner and has the skill set to get even better. He's a natural pass catcher with big hands for his frame."
That is a very good assessment of Lane, and Hokies fans would agree. He can make plays, and big ones at that, downfield as we same a handful of times the last couple of seasons. Lane is expected to be a Day 3 pick, but it should be a surprise to see him slide up to a late Day 2 later this month.