Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – The wait is finally over. After 207 long days, the National Football League returns for the 2024 season with a matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and defending champion Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night. Storylines are a dime a dozen this season, most notably the return of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, new Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs and the debut of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Among the action will be another crop of former Hokies looking to shine for their teams this season. Across multiple positions and multiple teams, Tech alums continue to prosper on the professional level. In this edition of NFL Hokies, presented by Coca-Cola, let’s look at which Hokies are primed for a strong season.
RB Khalil Herbert
Herbert is one of two former Hokies looking to perform for the Chicago Bears this season (Tremaine Edmunds). In his third season, Herbert posted 611 yards over 132 carries for an average of 4.6 yards per carry. His best games were against Atlanta (18 carries, 124 yards, one touchdown) and Arizona (20 carries, 112 yards, 1 touchdown), and his overall performance earned him a 79.4 rushing grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF) last season. Look for Herbert to solidify himself as a playmaker alongside D’Andre Swift for the Bears this season.
RB Raheem Blackshear
Blackshear comes into his third year as the Panthers’ RB3 on the depth chart. The Philadelphia native is poised to provide support behind running backs Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders and aims to develop further at the position. Blackshear finished the 2023 season with a 68.8 rushing grade and a 63.7 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. In his role this season, look for the 5-foot-9 speedster to take advantage of opportunities on offense and special teams.
S Chamarri Conner
On the heels of his first Super Bowl win, Kansas City Chiefs safety Chamarri Conner looks to reprise last season’s role in the secondary. The Jacksonville, Florida native posted 28 tackles (24 solo) in the championship campaign and now finds himself with a 72.7 overall grade from PFF. Alongside talent like safety Justin Reid and cornerback Jaylen Watson, Conner provides valuable coverage on the third level and was an integral part of the team’s success. As the Chiefs aim to make another run at the Lombardi Trophy, Conner will surely be along for the ride.
LB Divine Deablo
A Winston-Salem, North Carolina native, Divine Deablo will be entering his fourth season with the Raiders this fall. The talented linebacker posted the second-highest total tackles (105) and solo tackles (64) on the team last season, his best performance being a 12-tackle affair against the Chargers. With another opportunity to show dominance on the road this Sunday, look for Deablo to start his season on the right foot.
LB Tremaine Edmunds
Edmunds enters his seventh season in the NFL but only his second with Chicago this fall. During his first year with the Bears, Edmunds posted 113 tackles (69 solo) and was tied for first in interceptions (4). After signing a large contract during free agency last year, look for further proof that the former Hokie has unique abilities that can benefit Chicago’s linebacker corps. Edmunds will start his 2024 campaign with Herbert against the Tennessee Titans.
Fans can watch NFL Hokies across many games on Sunday afternoon. Read below for featured matchups in Week 1:
Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants – Sunday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. ET on FOX
OT Christian Darrisaw will suit up for the Minnesota Vikings after landing a massive five-year contract extension worth $140 million this offseason. The deal, which gives Darrisaw $90 million in guaranteed money, is one of the most historic deals for a former Hokie. The fourth-year pro will aim to protect Sam Darnold’s blindside against the likes of New York’s Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals – Sunday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. on CBS
Hokie Nation kicker Joey Slye will dress for the Patriots in their opener against Cincinnati. The Albuquerque, New Mexico placekicker drilled three field goals in the preseason for New England. After setting the Commanders’ franchise record for its longest field goal (61 yards), follow Slye throughout the season as he aims to set a new career-high with New England.
Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns – Sunday, Sept. 8 at 4:25 p.m. on FOX
As the premier matchup in the four o’clock time slot, two NFL Hokies will showcase their talents in the trenches. Pro Bowl guard Wyatt Teller will provide interior protection for Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson, who returns from season-ending shoulder surgery. For the traveling Dallas Cowboys, Center Brock Hoffman will reconnect with his former teammate in Cleveland and fellow NFL Hokie, Teller, to showcase his pass-blocking prowess in the season opener.