Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Following 18 thrilling weeks of competition across the league, the 2025 NFL regular season has come to a close. The playoff picture was officially painted with the conclusion of Week 18’s dramatic AFC North showdown, and as teams gear up for a postseason run, Super Bowl LX is on the horizon.
Athletes who once graced Worsham Field with their explosive talent and playmaking ability continued to perform at the professional level during the season. Whether it was on the offensive or defensive side of the ball, or special teams, a mix of elite Hokie alumni talent contributed mightily to the success of their teams this fall. In this week’s NFL Hokies entry, we look at the players who made a noticeable impact in the regular season – and highlight those who look to continue their success when the playoffs begin later this month.
Tremaine Edmunds – Linebacker, Chicago Bears
Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds excelled as the leader of a Chicago defense that led the league in takeaways (33) this season. In just 13 appearances this fall, the former First Team All-ACC linebacker posted a staggering 112 total tackles (61 solo), a total that ranks first amongst members of the Bears defense. Edmunds also tallied four interceptions in his 2025 campaign, oftentimes reading opposing offensive schemes and using a high level of football knowledge to predict the incoming play.
Since being selected No. 16 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft from Virginia Tech, Edmunds has posted eight consecutive seasons with 100 or more tackles. First-year defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and the Chicago Bears defense will look to continue their success when they host NFC North rival Green Bay on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 8 p.m. ET.
Chamarri Conner – Safety, Kansas City Chiefs
A high-volume tackler with elite quickness, Chiefs safety Chamarri Conner was a reliable asset for Kansas City in 2025. The former fourth-round pick posted 117 total tackles in 17 appearances this fall but excelled with a team-high 75 solo efforts. Conner saw a rise in production in what was his third year with the Chiefs, leaping his career high by 40 total tackles in this year’s campaign.
While Kansas City appeared in Super Bowl LIX against the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2024-25 season, a brutal stretch to end the year – one that saw the team lose eight of their last nine games – eliminated the Chiefs from playoff contention in 2025. Conner completed his third season in the league with momentum, however, securing an interception in the first quarter of the team’s final game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Bhayshul Tuten – Running Back, Jacksonville Jaguars
Drafted No. 104 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, former Hokie running back Bhayshul Tuten has seen his powerful running translate nicely in his first year at the professional level. On 83 carries, the former Third Team All-ACC tailback posted 307 rushing yards, third-best in the organization complimented by five rushing scores in 15 appearances. Tuten was also utilized in the passing game in 2025, hauling in 79 yards alongside a pair of receiving touchdowns.
Jacksonville has experienced a thorough reversal of fate since going 4-13 just a season ago. Under first-year head coach Liam Coen, the Jaguars now sit at 13-4, securing the AFC South title behind a 41-7 stomping of conference foeTennessee in Week 18. In the win, Tuten posted 23 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Divine Deablo – Linebacker, Atlanta Falcons
Located in what was a hotly contested NFC South division, linebacker Divine Deablo provided stability to the Falcons in his first year with the team. The former First Team All-ACC linebacker posted seven games with six or more tackles for the Atlanta defense this season, logging 73 total tackles (38 solo) by the time the year closed. According to Pro Football Focus, Deablo’s performance across 13 appearances in 2025 was enough to log career high grades in overall defense (77.7) and coverage (78.6).
The Falcons were one of three teams in the NFC South to finish at an 8-9 record in 2025. While the team emerged victorious in four straight contests to end the year, Atlanta missed the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season.
Chuck Clark – Safety, Pittsburgh Steelers
Clark’s first season with the Pittsburgh Steelers was a productive one, as the former sixth-round pick posted 51 tackles (31 solo) in 12 appearances. Hailing from Suffolk, Va., Clark opened the season with a stretch of impressive performances, logging eight total tackles in the first and second week against the New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks, respectively. The safety was also instrumental in stopping opposing ground games, posting a career-high 83.1 run defense grade according to PFF.
Jaylin Lane – Wide Receiver/Kick Returner, Washington Commanders
Lane’s electric ability to flip momentum with special teams play was sharpened in his first year in the NFL. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the rookie posted an impressive 314 return yards on 23 punt returns, including two house calls in 15 appearances. Lane also excelled as a receiver, hauling in 16 receptions for 225 yards for a team second-highest 14.1 yards per catch (min. 15 attempts).
The Clover, S.C. native put the league on notice in just the third game of his professional career. With a ten-point lead in the third quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders, Lane would sprint past a sea of silver and black jerseys en route to a 91-yard kick return to put the Commanders up 16 points. Washington would go on to win the contest, 41-24.
Notable Wild Card Playoff Matchups
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears: Saturday, Jan. 10 at 8 p.m. ET on Prime Video
It’s a battle of NFC North foes to close the first of three days of Wild Card Playoff action. Saturday’s contest will be the third meeting this season between the two squads, as Green Bay emerged victorious in Week 14 while Chicago claimed the win in Week 16. Keen-eyed Hokie fans will have to pay attention to see how former Tech linebacker Tremaine Edmunds can impact the evening contest – in the Week 16 victory, Edmunds had six total tackles and a fumble recovery.
Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars: Sunday, Jan. 11 at 1 p.m. ET on CBS
Buffalo will exchange their normally chilly gameday conditions when they travel to Jacksonville for their Wild Card matchup on Sunday afternoon. Both teams enter the game with plenty of momentum, as the Bills have won five of their last six while the Jaguars will look to extend their eight-game winning streak with a victory on Sunday. While it’s unclear if first-year cornerback and former Hokie Dorian Strong will suit up for Buffalo, Hokie fans can expect Tuten to feature in the backfield for Jacksonville.
Houston Texans at Pittsburgh Steelers: Monday, Jan. 12 at 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN
The Texans and Steelers will hold the spotlight on Monday, as the contest is the only action slated on the third and final day of Wild Card Weekend. The Steelers’ entry into the playoffs has been all but calm, squeaking into the Wild Card round after Baltimore Ravens kicker Tyler Loop sailed what would have been a game-winning field goal wide right as time expired in Week 18. Head Coach Mike Tomlin and the Steelers will have to look past their most recent late-game drama, however, and prepare for a Houston team that has won nine straight games. Hokie fans should look for defensive end Tim Settle to start among a Texans defense that has allowed a league second-best 17.4 points per game this season.