This month, six members of the 2024 Virginia Tech football team will be heading to the NFL Combine in one of the final steps toward the 2025 Draft in Green Bay. This season, some former Hokies should have their names called at the podium.
Currently, there are no Virginia Tech players projected to go in the first two rounds on the final weekend, but one recent mock draft has a former Hokies wide receiver going on the second day of the draft.
Former Virginia Tech WR slated to go in Round 3 of latest mock draft
In NFL.com’s most recent mock draft, they have wide receiver Jaylin Lane being selected by the Miami Dolphins in the third round. That is not surprising considering the strong week of practice he had at the Reese’s Senior Bowl last month. He opened some eyes with his performance. At one point during the week, he was named a standout over some of the top receivers in the draft but some observers.
This past season, Lane, who transferred from Middle Tennessee State for the 2023 season, had 38 catches for 466 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including a 66-yard catch and run against Virginia Thanksgiving Weekend. He also returned punts this season after Tucker Holloway was lost for the season. He returned a punt against Marshall in Week 2 for a touchdown.
The 5-foot-10, 196-pound Lane, who hails from Clover, S.C., had 41 catches for 538 yards and six touchdowns in 2023, averaging 13.1 yards a catch. As we saw against Marshall and Virginia, he has breakaway speed from defenders and he was also utilized in the running game with reverses.
It’s not surprising to see Lane’s stock rising after the season he had and his performance in the Senior Bowl practices and games. He was thought to be a fifth-round pick in some previous mock’s but sliding up to the third round in one of the latest mock’s is a good sign with the draft just 68 days away.