Virginia Tech football defensive lineman named as player to know ahead of 2025 Draft

As expected, the 2024 NFL Draft was very quiet in terms of Virginia Tech players hearing their names called. A big reason why is because of all the retainment that the Hokies and head coach Brent Pry got as there were players that could have been drafted to return for 2024.

Not only with the retainment Pry got, he got some key additions in the transfer portal and one of them has yet to play a snap for Virginia Tech, but he's already been named to a Top list for the 2025 NFL Draft.

Aeneas Peebles named Top IDL to watch for the 2025 NFL Draft

Duke transfer Aeneas Peebles has yet to play a snap for the Hokies, but his play with the Blue Devils earned him a spot on a Top 10 list of interior defensive linemen to watch for the 2025 NFL Draft.

"Peebles has no such issues in getting after the quarterback. His 90.1 pass-rushing grade while at Duke in 2023 was second among FBS defensive tackles to only Byron Murphy II, whom the Seattle Seahawks selected in the first round of the 2024 draft. He was fifth among all interior defensive linemen as well with a 16.2% pass-rush win rate.

Peebles is capable of shooting gaps in the run game, as evidenced by his 77.0 run-defense grade in 2023. However, his size (6-foot-1, 286 pounds) sometimes leads to him getting washed out by double teams. He projects best as a three-technique at the next level. "

- Max Chadwick

Peebles had 44 tackles last season for Duke, 13 solo and five sacks, and those numbers are going to be well within reach on a defense in Blacksburg that's going to be a tough line to deal with. The 6-foot-1 North Carolina native joins a group that includes Kelvin Gilliam, Kemari Copeland, and Khurtiss Perry who transferred with Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Josh Fuga returning.