Five Hokies taken off the board on final day of NFL Draft

Saturday turned out to be a good day for Virginia Tech Hokies football, who saw a flurry of five of their former players drafted to the NFL.

Running back Bhayshul Tuten is headed to the Jacksonville Jaguars after being selected No. 104 overall in the 4th round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Tuten’s 1,159 rushing yards ranked fourth in the ACC, and his 105.4 rushing yards per game was the conference’s second-highest average. Scoring 17 total TDs last season earned the senior All-ACC Second Team honors.

Bhayshul has a quiet confidence about him that I absolutely love. He is an explosive athlete with a compact frame," said head coach, Brent Pry. "He has elite straight-line speed but also runs with powerful legs and great contact balance which allows him to run through defenders. Bhayshul’s combine numbers were off the charts and he has tremendous upside at the next level.

Then just 14 picks later, wide receiver Jaylin Lane was drafted No. 128 by the Washington Commanders.

Lane’s path to the NFL first began at Middle Tennessee State where he spent three years as a Blue Raider, his most successful being a 2022 campaign that saw him lead the team with 69 receptions and post 940 receiving yards. He would then see similar production in his two years as a Hokie. In 12 games as a senior, the 5-foot-10 wideout would haul in 41 passes for 538 yards and six scores.

As good a football player as Jaylin is, he’s an even better person. Off the field, Jaylin is known for his humility, leadership, and genuine care for others. He was named the Virginia College Football Humanitarian of the Year this past season for his outreach in the community," said Pry. "On the field, he is a versatile receiver who can stretch defenses. His speed helps him to get separation from defenders and he is productive after the catch. He is also a proven returner who will have an opportunity to earn touches in the NFL.

Cornerback Dorian Strong is headed to the Buffalo Bills after being selected No. 177 overall in the 6th round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Strong joins the Bills after starting 12 games in 2024, recording 32 tackles with 20 solo efforts and two interceptions en route to an All-ACC Honorable Mention.

Defensive lineman Antwaun Powell-Ryland has been drafted the No. 209 overall pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 6th round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Powell-Ryland's journey to the NFL first started at the University of Florida. It wasn’t until Powell-Ryland moved back home to Virginia that he saw both his production and role on the defense grow tremendously. In 12 starts over the 2023 season, the first-year Hokie would post 40 tackles (23 solo) alongside a conference second-best 9.5 sacks.

2024 was no different for the 6-foot-3, 252-pound Powell-Ryland. His 16 sacks, including two four-sack contests (Old Dominion, Boston College) in just over a month’s time, would rank third nationally.

Lastly, defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles is headed to the Baltimore Ravens after being selected No. 210 overall in the 6th round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Peebles brings his talents to the Ravens after playing in 12 games, making 12 starts. The 6-foot-1, 290-pounder racked up 31 tackles (11 solo), 6.5 TFLs and 3.0 sacks this past fall. Earning a 90.3 rush grade from Pro Football Focus, he led all ACC defensive tackles and ranked fifth in the nation at his position with 35 pressures.

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