Hokie ClubCLEVELAND – Virginia Tech safety Divine Deablo was selected No. 80 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the third round of the NFL Draft on Friday.
The Winston-Salem, North Carolina was a top-80 pick, marking the first time the Hokies had three players in the top 80 of the same draft since 2008 (Duane Brown No. 26, Brandon Flowers No. 35, Eddie Royal No. 42, Chris Ellis No. 72).
A team captain in 2020, Deablo was a first-team All-ACC selection. He posted 55 total tackles in 2020 despite missing two contests early in the season. He had 2.0 TFL and defended eight passes during the season and also forced a fumble. Deablo, who tied for the ACC lead with four INTs on the season, was the only conference player to do so in nine or fewer games played.
The Raiders are coming off an 8-8 season in 2020-21, finishing second in the AFC West.