It was a busy day 3 at the 2025 NFL Draft as Virginia Tech had five former football players selected starting with Bhayshul Tuten to Jacksonville in the fourth round and ending with Aeneas Peebles to Baltimore in the sixth round. The only Hokie who many thought would get drafted but wasn't was WR Da'Quan Felton who had a late round grade by most at worst.
Here's a rundown of the five Hokies who were selected and where they landed.
- RB Bhayshul Tuten - Round 4, 104th overall to Jacksonville
- WR Jaylin Lane - Round 4, 128th overall to Washington
- CB Dorian Strong - Round 6, 177th overall to Buffalo
- DE Antwaun Powell-Ryland - Round 6, 209th overall to Philadelphia
- DT Aeneas Peebles - Round 6, 210th overall to Baltimore
All five were important reasons why the Hokies were able to have the success that they were able to have over the past couple seasons. All but Tuten are landing in well-run organizations that will certainly prove beneficial to their developments, while Jacksonville overhauled both the coaching staff and front office this offseason..
All five have the potential to make early impacts as rotational players with Tuten and Lane both being able to provide offensive depth and special teams upside as rookies for Jacksonville and Washington. It's interesting and indicative of the current era of college football that four of the five transferred to Virginia Tech, with Dorian Strong being the only homegrown draft pick.
Virginia Tech's five 2025 NFL Draft selections were the most that the Hokies have had in one NFL Draft since 2008 when the Hokies had eight players selected (Duane Brown, Brandon Flowers, Eddie Royal, Chris Ellis, Xavier Adibi, Carlton Powell, Josh Morgan, Justin Harper) though VT did have five players selected in the 2018 NFL Draft plus Adonis Alexander in the 2018 NFL Supplemental Draft. 2018 was also the last time that the Hokies had at least five selections in a single draft.
Tuten going 104th overall became the highest-selected Virginia Tech RB since David Wilson went 32nd overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. Wilson, Ryan Williams (38th overall in 2011), and Kevin Jones (30th overall in 2004) are the only Tech running backs to be selected higher than Tuten in NFL Draft history.
Jaylin Lane became the first Hokies' wide receiver drafted since Isaiah Ford in 2017 and the highest-selected VT wide receiver since Eddie Royal was selected 42nd overall in 2008. The only VT wide receivers elected higher than Lane are Royal, Ernest Wilford (120th overall in 2004), Andre Davis (47th overall in 2002), Bryan Still (41st overall in 1996), Antonio Freeman (90th overall in 1995), and Carroll Dale (26th overall in 1960).
Aeneas Peebles became the first Virginia Tech defensive tackle selected since Tim Settle went 163rd overall in 2018. Antwaun Powell-Ryland was the first defensive end selected since Amare Barno went 189th overall in 2022 while Dorian Strong was the first defensive back selected since Chamarri Conner went 119th overall in 2023.
Several other Hokies have also signed various types of undrafted free agent deals and offseason tryout agreements including WR Da'Quan Felton, who was the highest-regarded Virginia Tech prospect not to be selected. Here's a rundown on where they landed.
- QB Colin Schlee - Washington Commanders
- WR Da'Quan Felton - New York Giants
- WR Stephen Gosnell - Buffalo Bills
- T Parker Clements - Las Vegas Raiders
- G Kaden Moore - Tennessee Titans
- DE Cole Nelson - Chicago Bears
- DT Wilfried Pene - New England Patriots
- DT Josh Fuga - Los Angeles Chargers
- LB Keonta Jenkins - Buffalo Bills
- S Jaylen Jones - Los Angeles Chargers
- P Peter Moore - Indianapolis Colts
Felton and Stephen Gosnell both feel like serious candidates to earn roster spots given the WR concerns that both the Giants and the Bills have had. Wilfried Pene's emergence this season definitely makes him an interesting player to monitor with the Patriots while Jaylen Jones' impressive athletic traits could open some doors with the Chargers.
