Last year was a busy NFL Draft for Virginia Tech football players, despite the disappointing 2024 season on the field, which was a letdown. Some former Hokies were drafted and made immediate impacts in 2025, like Bhayshul Tuten and Jaylin Lane.
This year's draft is next month in Pittsburgh, and it remains to be seen if any Hokies will be drafted from the 2025 team that went 3-9. However, Matt Miller of ESPN released his seven-round mock draft, and there was a former Hokie on there that is skyrocketing up the draft boards in the first round.
Former Virginia Tech CB Mansoor Delane projected to be a Top 10 first round draft pick
Following the 2024 regular season, Mansoor Delane was part of the mass exodus through the Transfer Portal for the Hokies. He ended up landing at LSU and had a good season for a Tigers team that underachieved in 2025. Brian Kelly was fired before the end of the season. As for Delane, his draft stock has been rising for some time, and Miller had him going No. 7 to the Washington Commanders.
"After a disappointing 5-12 season, the Commanders need to restock at core positions. With Marshon Lattimore and Jonathan Jones departing this offseason, cornerback is high on that list. Washington brought in Amik Robertson to help on the inside, but it needs an elite shutdown corner. Delane did that better than anyone in the nation last season, allowing only 10 completions for 119 yards while showing a penchant for timely tackles and big plays. Despite being targeted only 36 times, Delane picked off two passes to show off his playmaking skills,'' wrote Miller.
If he landed in Washington, he would be reunited with Lane. There is no doubt that losing him was a big loss for Virginia Tech and a gain for LSU. We'll see where he ends up landing next month on opening night of the draft.