Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – On the heels of the 2025 NFL Draft, former Hokies are now expected to see the field in their first rookie minicamps starting this month. The rookie minicamps, which typically include newly drafted athletes, undrafted free agent signees and camp invitees, give new recruits the opportunity to acclimate with their new squads in what normally is a two-to-three-day affair. For the 17 NFL Hokies that make up the 2025 Virginia Tech NFL prospects/class, it’s the perfect opportunity to demonstrate why their skills are invaluable to their new organizations.
While many of this season’s rookie minicamps are set to begin in the second weekend of May, some NFL Hokies have already been able to show off their skills on the gridiron. The Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles had their first rookie practices early this spring, giving new faces a chance to show their skills from May 2-3. Hence, Packers camp invitee Ali Jennings and Eagles sixth-round draft pick Antwaun Powell-Ryland have already taken the field, showcasing their elite route running and physical strength respectively with their new squads.
Joining Jennings and Powell-Ryland in the early festivities was Aeneas Peebles. The Baltimore Ravens’ sixth-round pick was also expected to report for his rookie minicamp, which lasted from May 3-5. Peebles brings a fire to the Ravens defensive front that allowed him to rack up 31 tackles in his 2024 campaign.
Of the other 14 prospective NFL Hokies from this year’s draft class, a good amount can be found in the AFC. As most teams open their minicamps from either May 9-10 or May 9-11, ten of the 14 Tech standouts will be found on teams located in the American Football Conference.
In the AFC East, the Patriots and Bills will both open their minicamps during the second week of May. This allows New England signee Wilfried Pene to see the field, lacing up the cleats after a 2024 season that saw 33 tackles over 13 games. Additionally, a host of Hokies find themselves on a Buffalo team that fell just short in the AFC Championship last fall. Sixth-round draft pick Dorian Strong and signees Keonta Jenkins and Stephen Gosnell will be able to demonstrate their physicality with a team that promises to have a chip on its shoulder in 2025.
Heading west, Jaylen Jones and Josh Fuga will dress in blue and yellow for the Los Angeles Chargers when their minicamp starts on May 9. Additionally, Las Vegas Raiders signee Parker Clements will see the field for the first time since serving as a key member of a Hokies offensive front in 2024. The three former Hokies find themselves in an AFC West division that has become increasingly competitive over the last five years.
A trio of Hokies also find themselves in the AFC South. Picked in the fourth round at No. 104 overall, Bhayshul Tuten will make an appearance at the Jaguars rookie minicamp starting May 9. The Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts will also field players this spring, as Kaden Moore dresses in Nashville while Peter Moore will kick for Indianapolis.
While there are far fewer NFL Hokies found in the NFC, it goes without question that their impact will reverberate around their new teams. In the NFC North, former Hokie defensive lineman Cole Nelson joins a Chicago Bears team that favored the offense in this year’s draft (five of their eight picks were on offensive players). Nelson joins a Bears team that is forming a new identity under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. Their minicamp will be on May 9.
On the east coast, Hokies have found themselves on both the New York Giants (Da’Quan Felton) and the Washington Commanders (Jaylin Lane, Collin Schlee). The two teams, which have plans to meet twice in the 2025 NFL season, now feature offensive weapons that are sure to turn heads this fall. The Giants will host their minicamp from May 9-11, while the nation’s capital will see a minicamp from May 9-10.
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