BLACKSBURG – It didn't take long to feel the buzz in the weight room on Tuesday, as a herd of Virginia Tech football alumni, current players, coaches, support staff and NFL personnel huddled around those participating in the Hokies' Pro Day during the bench press – the first event of the day.
In front of NFL teams that had a representative in Blacksburg, Lecitus Smith impressed with the most bench reps, totaling 25. After the bench press was the vertical jump and defensive back Jermaine Waller got up to 35 inches, the best of any Hokie.
Then everyone's favorite – the 40-yard dash – took place in the Beamer-Lawson Indoor Practice Facility, with scouts on bleachers right at the end of the sprint. Two players tied for the fastest 40 time, with wide receiver Changa Hodge and defensive back Keondré Ko both running a 4.51, while running back Raheem Blackshear clocked a 4.52.
To end the day, Norfolk State quarterback Juwan Carter threw to Hodge and Blackshear.
Gallery: (3-22-2022) FB: 2022 Pro Day
The 14 Hokies who participated really appreciated having their current and former teammates there to support them, including two alums who are now on NFL rosters in the Minnesota Vikings' offensive lineman Christian Darrisaw and the Las Vegas Raiders' outside linebacker Divine Deablo.
Y'all peep who's back in the Burg
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) March 22, 2022
📍 @DeabloDivine pic.twitter.com/HC0m1Ln7GR
"It was cool seeing all of those guys back," defensive lineman Jordan Williams said. "They went through the process of a Pro Day last year, so I was able to see them go through the same thing I just did today. Really happy to have those guys back in town."
With Darrisaw and Deablo getting to go through a Pro Day themselves last year, they took it upon themselves to start a group text with this year's Pro Day group and share their insights on the best way to approach it.
"I had Tré [Turner] make a group chat with all of the guys performing today," Deablo said. "I told the guys to relax. They already have film on you all, so do your thing and I'll be watching."
Darrisaw reached out to offensive lineman Brock Hoffman, who did not get an invite to the NFL Combine earlier this month, and shared to keep a chip on his shoulder and that his opportunity would come at Pro Day and to capitalize on it.
For the two pros, it was a "no-brainer" to come back and support their former teammates.
"The relationships that we built throughout Tech, anything they need, they know I'm in their back corner," Darrisaw said. "I'll always be there for them."
Next up for the 14 Hokies who participated in Pro Day will be the NFL Draft, which takes place April 28-30 in Las Vegas. The first round begins at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network, ABC and ESPN.
2022 Virginia Tech Pro Day Participants
DE Amaré Barno
RB Raheem Blackshear
QB Juwan Carter (Norfolk State)
DB Tae Daley
WR Changa Hodge
OL Brock Hoffman
DB Keondré Ko
TE James Mitchell
K John Parker Romo
LS Oscar Shadley
OL Lecitus Smith
OL Luke Tenuta
WR Tré Turner
DB Jermaine Waller
DL Jordan Williams