Virginia Tech NFL Dreams: Five Hokies Projected to Hear Their Names Called in 2025 Draft
With the 2025 NFL Draft just weeks away, the anticipation is building for several former Virginia Tech football standouts. According to a new mock draft from College Football Network, five Hokies are projected to be selected, with most expected to come off the board in the mid-to-late rounds. While a few players have outside chances of sneaking into Day 2, Day 3 seems to be the most likely stage where these VT alumni will find their NFL homes.
Leading the pack is standout cornerback Dorian Strong, who is slotted to go in the third round, 73rd overall, to the New York Jets. This aligns with the general consensus around Strong, whose athleticism and physicality at the position make him an ideal fit for a Jets defense that values aggressive secondary play.
In the fourth round, the mock draft predicts a back-to-back Hokie defensive lineman run. Antwaun Powell-Ryland, a dynamic edge rusher, is projected to land at 133rd overall with the Kansas City Chiefs, while Aeneas Peebles, an interior disruptor, is pegged at 134th to the Philadelphia Eagles. Both players could be plug-and-play additions to two playoff-caliber teams in need of depth and rotational talent along the defensive line.
The fifth round sees two more Virginia Tech stars find their pro destinations. Jaylin Lane, a shifty and explosive wide receiver, is forecasted to reunite with Strong in New York as the Jets’ 145th overall pick. Meanwhile, Bhayshul Tuten, the Hokies’ powerful and elusive running back, is projected to go 166th overall to the Houston Texans.
That said, Tuten’s stock may be slightly underestimated here. He made waves during pre-draft workouts and turned heads at the NFL Combine with his speed and versatility. Many analysts believe he could be a sleeper candidate to jump up a round for a team seeking a dual-threat backfield weapon.
As the countdown to draft night in Green Bay continues, Hokies fans have plenty to be excited about. If these projections hold, Virginia Tech could see one of its strongest NFL Draft showings in recent years—proof that the program continues to develop top-tier talent ready for the next level.