Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – With the 2024 season complete, developmental efforts of the Virginia Tech football program will be on display as six student-athletes participate in the 2025 NFL Combine. Top performers from the past season, defensive end Antwaun Powell-Ryland, running back Bhayshul Tuten, cornerback Dorian Strong, defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles, wide receivers Jaylin Lane and Da’Quan Felton, each receiving invitations, highlight the program’s growth with head coach Brent Pry at the helm.
The 2025 NFL Combine is a week-long event that measures an athlete’s physical intangibles through various drills that measure strength, speed, change of direction and technique. A staple event in the NFL’s busy offseason, the Combine will be televised over four days, starting Thursday, Feb. 27 through Sunday, March 3. Fans can watch each former student-athlete perform with their respective position groups during the broadcast. Join our Key Plays newsletter for more details regarding the NFL Combine and when these Hokies will showcase their skills.
Of the six student-athletes invited to participate, three play offensive positions and the other half play on defense. More impressively, five invitees transferred to Virginia Tech in the last two years, showcasing the program’s ability to recruit talent in the transfer portal. Read below for a breakdown of each student-athlete heading to the NFL Combine:
Cornerback Dorian Strong
6’1”, 185 lbs. – Upper Marlboro, Maryland
A graduate student who plays primarily on the boundary, Strong spent his entire collegiate career with the Hokies. Starting his time in Blacksburg in 2020 as a true freshman, Strong played in 11 games with five starts, eventually totaling 53 games and 44 starts in five seasons. The in-game experience and leadership traits are evident after being a defensive captain in 2024. Strong finished his career in the maroon and orange with 35 passes defended, including seven interceptions, while accumulating 112 tackles. The talented defensive back earned 2023 All-ACC Third Team honors and followed it up with a 2024 All-ACC Honorable Mention.
Running Back Bhayshul Tuten
5’11’, 209 lbs. – Paulsboro, New Jersey
A key cog in the Hokies’ rushing attack over the previous two seasons, Tuten offers dynamism and good traits as a ball carrier. As the starting tailback for offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen, Tuten amassed 2,022 rushing yards and 25 rushing touchdowns on 356 attempts, good for a 5.7 yards per carry average. Out the backfield, he is a solid receiving option with the Senior hauling in 50 receptions and four touchdowns through the air. With his great vision and patience, Tuten also provides value as a returner, supported by his two kickoff return touchdowns in 2023. The North Carolina A&T transfer racked up significant accolades at the Power Four level being named to the All-ACC Second Team in consecutive seasons.
Defensive End Antwaun Powell-Ryland
6’3”, 252 lbs. – Portsmouth, Virginia
Powell-Ryland, commonly known as ‘APR,’ quickly became a household name in Blacksburg following his transfer from Florida in 2023. The redshirt senior quickly showcased his ability to rush the quarterback, earning the nickname, Mayor of Sacksburg. APR made history within the program by becoming the leader in games with four or more sacks in a single outing, surpassing the record set by NFL Hall of Famer Bruce Smith. Powell-Ryland utilizes a good variety of pass-rush moves, which contributed to his 25.5 sacks since transferring. He also amassed 83 tackles, 6 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries, and 16 quarterback hits en route to 2023 All-ACC Second Team and 2024 All-ACC First Team honors.
Count ‘em up 😉
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) January 7, 2025
Congrats to our 6️⃣ Hokies headed to the Combine#ThisIsHome pic.twitter.com/uO8hk5poFF
Wide Receiver Jaylin Lane
5’10”, 196 lbs. – Clover, South Carolina
Versatility is a valuable trait to have when making the transition to the pros, and Lane displayed that on offense and special teams. The redshirt senior found the endzone in a variety of ways in 2024, with two receiving touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns, a punt return touchdown and a passing touchdown. Lane’s impact on the offense was undeniable, averaging 12.7 yards per reception and over five yards per rushing attempt over two seasons. During his time as a Hokie, he corralled 79 receptions for 1,004 yards while totaling over 1,400 all-purpose yards.
Defensive Lineman Aeneas Peebles
6’1” 290 lbs. – Raleigh, North Carolina
Peebles is another talented student-athlete who found success along Virginia Tech’s defensive line. A graduate transfer from Duke, the interior disrupter quickly made an impact, earning 2024 All-ACC First Team honors in his lone season with the Hokies. Peebles’ talent on the defensive interior with year-to-year improvements after being named to the 2023 All-ACC Third Team. Anchoring the trenches alongside Powell-Ryland, Peebles produced another statistically sound season, starting in 12 games and amassing 31 tackles, three sacks, 6.5 TFLs, 3 pass breakups and four quarterback hits.
Wide Receiver Da’Quan Felton
6’5”, 216 lbs. – Portsmouth, Virginia
The second of a trio of veteran receivers that transferred in 2023, which included Lane, Felton is a big-bodied downfield target who does a great job taking the top off a defense. In his two seasons donning maroon and orange, the graduate student surpassed 1,000 receiving yards with double-digit touchdowns. Felton’s strongest season came in his first year with the Hokies, posting 667 receiving yards and averaging 17.6 yards per catch, which included an 84-yard reception, a 70-yard catch and a 62-yarder. He showcased his speed this past season as well with a 55-yard catch and run on the road against Stanford.
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