Virginia Tech’s NFL Draft Hopes: Three Hokies Getting Late-Round Buzz
What a difference a year makes! After getting completely shut out of the 2024 NFL Draft, Virginia Tech is back in the mix this year, with multiple players on scouts’ radars. Head coach Brent Pry’s decision to keep key players around last season meant no Hokies heard their names called, but this time, things are shaping up differently.
While no one knows exactly where these guys will land, Pro Football Focus (PFF) has three former Hokies pegged as potential late-round picks. Here’s a look at who’s getting attention and which teams might be a fit.
Bhayshul Tuten – RB
Tuten has been making waves this offseason, showing off his skills at both the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine. His speed and ability to break tackles have impressed scouts, and PFF predicts he could land with the Chicago Bears in the later rounds. Chicago is already eyeing Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty early in the draft, but adding Tuten as a sneaky-good depth piece wouldn’t be a bad move.
Antwaun Powell-Ryland – EDGE
Powell-Ryland was a nightmare for offenses last season, racking up 14 sacks, including two monster four-sack performances against Old Dominion and Boston College. Despite that, PFF has him possibly sliding to Day 3, with the Cincinnati Bengals as a potential landing spot. If the Bengals are looking for pass-rush help late in the draft, Powell-Ryland could be a steal.
Aeneas Peebles – DT
Peebles only spent one season at Virginia Tech after transferring from Duke, but he made it count, earning a 92.1 pass-rushing grade from PFF. He also turned heads at the Combine, and PFF sees him as a good fit for the Kansas City Chiefs. If KC doesn’t address their interior D-line needs earlier, Peebles could find himself in a great situation with the defending champs.
Final Thoughts
Virginia Tech players are finally getting back into the draft conversation, and while these three guys are projected as late-round picks, don’t be shocked if one or two sneaks into Day 2. The draft is unpredictable, and anything can happen especially when teams start looking for hidden gems in the later rounds.
Wouldn’t it be something to see a few Hokies making big plays on Sundays next season?
