Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – The fourth week of the 2025 NFL season concluded this past Monday, the slate of games featuring plenty of former Hokies taking the field for their squads. Household names in Virginia Tech football’s rich history have continued to show up and show out for their teams this season, many of which can be found on both sides of the ball. In this week’s edition of NFL Hokies, sponsored by Coca-Cola, we look at a host of memorable performances from those who sharpened their skills while in maroon and orange.
Dorian Strong – Cornerback, Buffalo Bills
Selected No. 177 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, rookie cornerback Dorian Strong has already made waves amongst the Buffalo secondary. The former All-ACC Third Team defensive standout has been putting more than just Bills Mafia on notice behind his impressive coverage on a variety of NFL athletes.
In the Week 4 contest against the New Orleans Saints, Strong silenced the Saints’ passing attack, doing so by allowing just a pair of receptions for only four yards. For his effort on gameday, Strong earned an impressive 89.5 overall defensive grade in Week 4 via PFF and was also named to the PFF Rookie Team of the Week for the second time in 2025.
Strong’s PFF grades are emblematic of his impressive performances this season. His 80.4 overall tackling grade and his 72.0 overall pass rush grade both rank third amongst Bills defensive players, while his 69.4 overall run defense grade ranks fifth.
John Parker Romo – Kicker, Atlanta Falcons
Through four games with the Falcons this season, placekicker Parker Romo has been letting it fly from various spots across the gridiron. His proficiency at sending tries through the uprights has been advantageous for Atlanta, as his kicking has often been the deciding factor between a victory and defeat this season.
The fourth week of the NFL season didn’t stray far from normal for Romo. The former All-ACC Third Team kicker sent two of two attempts through the uprights on Sunday, converting from 38 and 26 yards during the contest against the Washington Commanders. Romo also was perfect in extra point tries, supporting the offense with four additional points.
The Falcons would go on to win their Week 4 matchup against the Commanders, 34-27, and Romo’s accuracy over the year improved to 77.8%.
Tremaine Edmunds – Linebacker, Chicago Bears
Against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4, Edmunds was everywhere once again, registering a team-high 11 tackles (6 solo). The performance was key in what was Chicago’s second win of the season and first win against the Raiders since October 2023.
Edmunds’s presence on the football field cannot be understated. The 2018 first-round pick is executing at a high level, his current 73.8 overall run defense grade via Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranking the highest in his now eight-year career. Further, Edmunds’s 40 tackles over four games not only leads Chicago but is fifth-highest amongst all defensive players.
Chamarri Conner – Safety, Kansas City Chiefs
Against the Baltimore Ravens this past Sunday, Chamarri Conner’s defensive prowess shined through during his six-tackle (4 solo) performance. Conner, who sits at tenth all-time at Tech in career tackles (311), saw his 2025 total rise to a 15 which is second-most on the Chiefs.
The two-time All-ACC selection has been integral in what is now his third season in the NFL. Last week saw Conner earn a 79.3 run defense rating from PFF, the grade now standing as his highest on the year thus far. His overall 70.5 run defense grade ranks fourth amongst the Kansas City defense.
Notable Week 5 Matchups
Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens: Sunday, Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS
The C.J. Stroud-led Houston Texans will be on the road when they travel for a contest against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5. While both teams sit at 1-3 through four games this fall, the Ravens will look to defend their home turf against a Texans squad that is winless outside of NRG Stadium. Former Hokies can be found on the defensive sides for both squads, as Texans lineman Tim Settle Jr. and Ravens rookie Aeneas Peebles will look to get after the opposing offense.
Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars: Monday, Oct. 6 at 8:15 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN
After getting the best of Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in Week 4, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs will face the 3-1 Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday Night Football. The Jaguars have lost eight straight matchups to Kansas City, the Florida squad last seeing a victory in November of 2009. Chiefs safety Chamarri Conner, who has been notably impressive at stopping the run this season, will have to do so against Jacksonville back Bhayshul Tuten in the contest.