It took until Day 3 of the NFL Draft last weekend for five former Virginia Tech players to hear their names called. Bhayshul Tuten (Jacksonville Jaguars), Jaylin Lane (Washington Commanders), Dorian Strong (Buffalo Bills), Antwaun Powell-Ryland (Philadelphia Eagles), and Aeneas Peebles (Baltimore Ravens) were picked on Saturday afternoon.
Following the draft, several former Hokies signed either an undrafted free agent contract or were invited to teams’ mini-camps with the hope of catching on for training camps when they begin in late July. Here are some UDFAs who could catch on with the team that signed them.
Da’Quan Felton: New York Giants
Before the draft, wide receiver Da’Quan Felton was a name that was drawing interest from teams. He was seen as somewhat of a long shot to be drafted, but it wouldn’t have been surprising to see him picked. He went undrafted and got a deal with the New York Giants.
Felton made some big plays the last two seasons for the Hokies, and like Lane, he can get separation from his defender and use his speed in the open field to make big plays. This could be an under-the-radar pickup by the Giants.
Stephen Gosnell: Buffalo Bills
Not long after the draft did it take the Bills grabbed wide receiver Stephen Gosnell as an undrafted free agent. It wasn’t surprising to see the former Hokie not picked, but he was one of the underrated wide receivers on the open post-draft market.
Josh Allen has a big arm and likes players who can make big catches, and Gosnell is that guy. He ended up making several huge catches the last couple of seasons in Blacksburg, and he could find himself a job as a third-down receiver with Buffalo.
Wilfried Penne: New England Patriots
After moving on from Jerod Mayo after just one season in Foxborough, it didn’t take the New England Patriots long to hire former linebacker and Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. A defensive-minded coach, he has some work to do along the defensive line for New England, and signing Wilfried Penne is someone who could come in and make an impression. He was lost in the shuffle in terms of Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Aeneas Peebles, but he had a good year for the Hokies with 33 tackles, 5.5 tackles for a loss, and 3.5 sacks. He is someone who could impress Vrabel and the Patriots.
Peter Moore: Indianapolis Colts
You might be thinking, Peter Moore, a punter? Yes, Peter Moore, the punter, picked up an invite to the Indianapolis Colts mini-camp, and he is someone who could easily stick around for training camp. Moore has a big leg, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him earn an invite to training camp with a good mini-camp.