Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – With the 2025 NFL Draft this week, an impressive 17 Hokies are hoping to hear their names called in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Outstanding Tech student-athletes are officially on the clock when the first round starts on Thursday, joining a new class of NFL hopefuls that promise to make a difference for their new teams. Led by phenoms such as running back Bhayshul Tuten, defensive lineman Antwaun Powell-Ryland and wide receiver Jaylin Lane, this year’s group aims to etch their name into Blacksburg history by joining a sprawling group of Hokies that made the leap to the NFL.
164 Hokies – starting with Herman “Foots” Dickerson in 1937 – have graced the professional gridiron. Dickerson, who was drafted to the Chicago Cardinals (later relocated to Arizona), would be selected in the seventh round of the 1937 NFL Draft, becoming the first Hokie to ascend to the top of the football totem pole. Other notable selections from the mid-20th century include Carroll Dale in the 1960 NFL Draft, who after being traded to Green Bay, would be a contributing member of the Packers team that won the first and second Super Bowls (1967, 1968).
The most recent Hokie to be drafted to the NFL was Chamarri Conner in 2023. Drafted in the fourth round by the Kansas City Chiefs, Conner has become an integral part of a Chiefs defense that allowed a mere 19.2 points per game to opponents last season. Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, the safety posted an 83.2 run defense grade according to Pro Football Focus during the 2024 season and won a Super Bowl during his rookie season.
Virginia Tech football alums have also enjoyed success at the highest echelons of NFL stardom. Two Hokies have been selected as the league’s No. 1 overall draft pick in their respective years, emphasizing superior athleticism, a team-focused mindset and a winning nature that has become the culture at Virginia Tech.
One of the most dominant defensive ends to ever grace the streets of Blacksburg, Bruce Smith was selected first overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 1985 NFL Draft. Known for his dominant size and strength, the Norfolk, Virginia native would earn an astounding 11 Pro Bowl nods during his star-studded career (1987-90, 1992, 1993-1998) en route to a Pro Football Hall of Fame recognition in 2009. Eight years prior to Smith’s Hall of Fame induction, historic Hokie quarterback Michael Vick would be selected first by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2001 NFL Draft. Vick would continue to dizzy defenses in the pros the same way he did at Tech, totaling over 6,000 rushing yards over a career that took him to Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York and Pittsburgh.
What makes the history of Hokie athletes rise to the top is that it stretches across families, as multiple sets of brothers have been drafted to the league.
The first set of brothers to enter the league in the same draft year occurred in 2018. Tremaine Edmunds was drafted No. 16 overall by the Buffalo Bills, and 12 picks later, his brother Terrell Edmunds went to the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 28 overall. The Fuller family also enjoyed brotherly love, as Vincent (2005, Tennessee Titans, No. 108), Corey (2013, Detroit Lions, No. 171), Kyle (2014, Chicago Bears, No. 14) and Kendall (2015, Washington Redskins, No. 84) all logged time in the pros.
With 17 NFL hopefuls aiming to hear their name called, the Tech alums will aim to match the record-setting nine players taken in the 2006 NFL Draft walk the stage. To stay updated on where the former Hokies find themselves in the pros, be sure to subscribe to the Key Plays newsletter for updates regarding the new class of NFL Hokies!