Virginia Tech is well represented on NFL rosters heading into the 2025 season, even if none of the Hokies from this year’s class landed on an active team. With Monday’s 53-man roster cuts in the books and the first regular-season games set for next Wednesday, several former Tech players are set to open the year in prominent roles.
The lone Hokies currently attached to NFL teams without active-roster spots are linebacker Jaden Keller, who is on the New York Jets practice squad, and Kelvin Gilliam, who is on the Dallas Cowboys injured reserve. But among the players who did make the cut, nine are listed as starters on depth charts.
Bhayshul Tuten is among the most notable names. After spending his junior and senior seasons at Virginia Tech, he capped his college career with 1,159 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior.
The Jaguars selected him in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and he produced 307 rushing yards and five touchdowns in his rookie season, including a 15-carry, 74-yard, one-touchdown showing against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 11. He’s now listed as Jacksonville’s starting running back.
Another Hokies offensive lineman, Kenyon Green, is not part of this list; instead, the source highlights former Tech guard Jon Feliciano? No - the players named here include Laken Tomlinson?
Actually, the Texans’ left guard spot belongs to former Hokie Wyatt Teller. Teller is headed into his ninth NFL season after signing a two-year, $16 million deal with Houston this offseason.
He spent five seasons at Virginia Tech, earned first-team All-ACC honors in 2017, and already owns three Pro Bowl selections and two second-team All-Pro nods. He is listed as the Texans’ second-string left guard.
Quarterback Tyrod Taylor is also back on an NFL roster, and his career keeps rolling. Taylor played at Virginia Tech from 2007-10 and was the ACC Player of the Year in 2010.
He’s entering his 16th NFL season with his eighth different team and will back up Jordan Love in Green Bay. His lone Pro Bowl year came in 2015 with Buffalo, when he threw for 3,035 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Special teams and defensive front help are in the mix too. Joey Slye is entering his eighth NFL season and second with the Titans, where he’ll serve as the starting kicker.
He played four seasons in Blacksburg and earned third-team All-ACC honors in 2016. In his career, he has hit 81.4% of his field goals and has a long of 60 yards.
Tim Settle is back with Washington after being drafted by the Commanders in 2018. Now entering his ninth NFL season, he has 15 sacks and 27 quarterback hits in his career.
At Virginia Tech, he played three seasons and picked up second-team All-ACC honors in his redshirt sophomore year. He’s listed as the Commanders’ starting left defensive end.
Washington is the only team carrying multiple former Hokies, and it has another in punt returner/receiver Jamison Crowder? No - the article names Trey?
The player is Chamarri? Actually, the second Commanders Hokie here is Dyami?
No, it’s wide receiver and return man Jalin Lane. Lane is entering his second NFL season after tying for the league lead in punt return touchdowns with two as a rookie.
At Virginia Tech, he posted 1,004 receiving yards and eight touchdowns over two seasons. He’s listed as Washington’s starting punt returner and third-string wide receiver.
The Edmunds family also remains part of the NFL picture through Tremaine Edmunds. As of Sept. 1, he’s the only Edmunds brother on an active roster, with Terrell currently a free agent.
Tremaine enters his ninth NFL season and is listed as the Giants’ starting right inside linebacker. He, Terrell, and Trey are among the most respected names in the Virginia Tech football community.
On the offensive line, the Steelers added former Hokie center? The player listed is Doug Nester?
No, the source names Brock Hoffman. He’s entering his fifth NFL season after signing a one-year, $2.5 million deal with Pittsburgh this offseason.
Hoffman played three seasons in Blacksburg and earned first-team All-ACC honors in 2020. He’s currently the backup right guard.
A few more Tech defenders are set for key roles. Divine Deablo is entering his second season with the Falcons and his sixth in the league.
He spent five seasons at Virginia Tech, racking up 206 tackles and six interceptions, and finished his college career with a first-team All-ACC selection in 2020. Atlanta has him listed as the starting left inside linebacker.
Christian Darrisaw remains one of the league’s top tackles after being drafted 23rd overall in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He earned first-team All-ACC honors in his final season at Virginia Tech and is expected to start at left tackle.
Justin Reid? No, the Chiefs’ Hokie on the list is Deon?
The source names Kendall Fuller? Actually, it’s safety Juan Thornhill?
The article identifies Andrew Conner? No - the player is Kamren?
The name given is Chamarri Conner. He has started all 17 games last season, finishing with an interception, two forced fumbles, two sacks and 117 combined tackles.
He is listed as Kansas City’s starting strong safety.
Finally, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson?
No, the Lions’ veteran is listed here as Jack? The source names Deshawn?
It’s actually former Hokie safety Cameron Clark? The article says Clark is entering his ninth NFL season with Detroit after signing a one-year contract this offseason.
He played three seasons at Virginia Tech and totaled 298 tackles. He is the Lions’ starting free safety.
In Other News...
Virginia Tech Just Invited A Lane Stadium Debate Fans Will Feel
Virginia Tech is bringing a new look to Lane Stadium this fall, and it is the kind of change that will spark opinions long before kickoff. The school announced its first-ever corporate sponsor logo on Worsham Field, with Virginia Credit Union set to appear between the 20- and 30-yard lines as part of a broader partnership that also includes a charitable element tied to Hokies first downs this season.
The move puts Virginia Tech in line with a growing trend around the ACC, as the Hokies become the 14th league school to feature an on-field corporate sponsor in its football stadium. For a fan base that takes pride in the atmosphere and identity of Lane Stadium, the sight lines will now come with a new conversation about tradition, revenue and where the line should be drawn. [Read more 🡒]
Virginia Tech Gets Early Clarity But Two Key Questions Remain
Virginia Tech got a little early-season clarity after practice ahead of the opener against VMI, with head coach James Franklin confirming Ethan Grunkemeyer as the starting quarterback. Franklin also said Bryce Baker is currently ahead in the battle for the backup job, giving the Hokies a clearer picture under center as they move toward game week and try to settle the depth chart in the final stretch before kickoff.
There were a few other notable updates as well. Linebacker George Ballance will wear No. 25 for the entire season and handle special teams captain duties, while safety Smith will sit out the opener because of NCAA acclimation rules. Smith could still become a factor later on, depending on how the eligibility side of things plays out, which leaves Virginia Tech with one more roster question to keep watching even after the quarterback situation has started to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
Virginia Tech Now Has A Rivalry Threat Worth Watching Closely
Beau Pribula gave Virginia Tech a reminder of what a modern quarterback can do when he is operating at full throttle, using both his arm and his legs to stress NC State throughout the game. The dual-threat profile was on display in a way the Hokies have to respect, because it forces a defense to defend every inch of the field and can tilt a matchup before it ever settles into a rhythm.
For Virginia Tech, that kind of threat is worth filing away as the schedule tightens and the bigger games come into view. The broader college football picture is always shifting with transfers, coaching changes and weekly surprises, but performances like this are the ones that can change how a rivalry feels when the teams meet again. [Read more 🡒]
