After a quiet 2024 NFL Combine and Draft, things will be different this year for former Virginia Tech players. Six were out at Lucas Oil Stadium this weekend for the Combine and there is no doubt that some players improved their stock for the Draft next month in Green Bay.
With that said, how did some of the Hokies fare this past weekend? Let's take a look at some winners and losers from Indianapolis.
Virginia Tech Combine Winners
Bhayshul Tuten
Going into the combine, Bhayshul Tuten was getting some pre-draft hype, but that became reality when he took the field on Friday. He ran a faster time in the 40-yard dash than current NFL running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and Saquan Barkley at 4.32 seconds. It didn't stop there.
He had the best vertical jump and tied for second in the broad jump among running backs, which is a loaded class. Could he move up into the first round? Unlikely, however, he certainly improved his stock and will be taken higher than a lot had him going into the Combine. He may end up being the biggest winner for Virginia Tech.
Jaylin Lane
Wide receiver Jaylin Lane turned some heads on Saturday with his work on the field. How good was he? Consider the following. He ran a 4.34 40-yard dash, 11' in the broad jump and 6.75 in the cone, something that current receivers Ja'Marr Chase, Christian Watson, and Kadarius Toney failed to do.
We sure can 😏 https://t.co/bB7J05ZnHW
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) March 1, 2025
He was a standout at the Reese's Senior Bowl in January and drew more attention than some of the bigger named receivers and he stuck out again in Indianapolis. Like Tuten, Lane will likely move up mock drafts and teams boards.
Aeneas Peebles
Defensive tackles Aeneas Peebles took the field on Friday and put teams on notice with an impressive speed in his 40-yard dash coming at 20.47 MPH on his first run of 4.95 seconds. Despite not scoring as high in the vertical and broad jump, his speed and technique are something that NFL teams will like.
Projected to be a Day 3 pick, it could be an early day or maybe sneaking into a very late Day 2 pick is not out of the question.
Virginia Tech Combine Losers
Tyler Bowen
I know, Tyler Bowen is no longer with the program after leaving last month to be the offensive line coach at Ohio State, but after watching the combine as well as the two senior bowl games, it makes you think what a wasted opportunity the Hokies had last fall on offense. Going into the season, there was a lot of hype and rightfully so, but questionable play calling hurt the offense.
Play calling early in the year was what drove a lot of fans crazy, but it certainly felt like there were players that were not utilized enough. It's clear Virginia Tech had the offensive talent to have a better season than 6-6.
Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Dorian Stong and Da'Quan Felton also had a good weekend in Indy with Strong standing out back in January at the Senior Bowl. All three will be picks with Strong possibly sneaking his way up the board by the time April comes around.