From Hokie to Chief? Jaylin Lane Could Bring Back the Chiefs’ “Legion of Zoom” in 2025
Virginia Tech’s Jaylin Lane is making waves on the 2025 NFL Draft radar—and the Kansas City Chiefs are paying close attention. Known for targeting explosive, undersized receivers with blazing speed, Kansas City appears to have its sights set on Lane as a potential weapon in their high-octane offense.
According to Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network, the Chiefs are among several teams scheduled to meet with Lane, a wideout who checks all the boxes Kansas City covets—lightning speed, versatility, and dynamic return ability.
Lane began his collegiate career at Middle Tennessee State in 2020, entering as a three-star prospect from Clover, South Carolina. He quickly made a name for himself, hauling in 63 catches for 940 yards and five touchdowns in a standout 2022 season. Looking for a bigger stage, Lane transferred to Virginia Tech for his final two years of eligibility.
While his numbers at Virginia Tech didn’t break any records—38 receptions, 466 yards, and two touchdowns in his final season—Lane showcased elite versatility. He also contributed on the ground with 116 rushing yards and two rushing scores, further proving his value as a multi-dimensional threat.
Lane’s real fireworks, though, have often come on special teams. He led Conference USA in punt return average in 2021 (15.5 yards per return) and topped the ACC in punt return yards in 2024. Over his college career, Lane scored two touchdowns on punt returns and averaged a solid 21.8 yards on kickoff returns. That kind of special teams production has long appealed to the Chiefs, who value players that can contribute in multiple facets of the game.
Lane turned heads at the Senior Bowl and again at the NFL Scouting Combine, where he posted a jaw-dropping 4.34-second 40-yard dash and leaped 40 inches in the vertical jump. At 5’10” and 191 pounds, his size mirrors that of past Chiefs speedsters who thrived in Andy Reid’s offense.
With his electric speed and return game prowess, Jaylin Lane could very well become the newest member of a reinvented “Legion of Zoom.” Don’t be surprised if Kansas City pulls the trigger early in the draft and gives Patrick Mahomes another blazing-fast weapon to stretch the field in 2025.