What a difference a year makes for the Virginia Tech football program. One year after not having any players picked in the 2024 Draft, this year will be different. A big reason why nobody was drafted last season was because of all the retainment head coach Brent Pry got. This year will be different when it comes to the draft for former Hokies.
Several Virginia Tech players are expected to hear their names called at some point in Green Bay on the last weekend in April. Some have seen their draft stock rise, and some have not. Where any of them are going to be picked and by whom depends on which mock drafts you read, but one from Pro Football Focus had three former Hokies being picked in the late round on Day 3 and being options for three different teams.
3 former Virginia Tech players were tabbed as late-round draft options for three NFL teams for needs
Bhayshul Tuten
Virginia Tech’s running back has been putting teams on notice this off-season between his performance at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine. Jordan Plocher of PFF has Tuten going to the Chicago Bears on Day 3 and listed running back as a need they have. He has them selecting Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty in the first round.
Tuten is a sneaky-good back and pickup for a team. His speed at the combine in the 40-yard dash opened some eyebrows, and his ability to break tackles at all levels is something that teams will covet.
Antwaun Powell-Ryland
One of the top edge rushers last season and in the draft, Plocher has Powell-Ryland potentially dropping to a Day 3 pick by the Cincinnati Bengals. This past season, the Florida transfer put together a solid season and opened more eyes with scouts.
He had 14 sacks last season, which included a pair of four-sack games against Old Dominion and Boston College. He was difficult to block for opposing teams, as evident by his 48 pressures and 25 hurries.
Aeneas Peebles
If there is one player who falls to a Day 3 pick that could be a steal at tackle, it’s Peebles. His one season in Blacksburg after coming over from Duke, he scored a 92.1 pass-rushing grade at PFF. Like Tuten, Peebles opened some eyes at the NFL Combine. Plocher has him as a fit with the Kansas City Chiefs, and that would be a great landing spot for him if their need for interior defensive linemen is not filled by then.
Overall, this has a chance to be a big draft for a number of Virginia Tech players, especially on Day 2 and 3. It wouldn't be surprising at all if one or two of these players snuck up to a Day 2 pick. Yes, it’s a long shot, but anything is possible when it comes to the NFL Draft.