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**Virginia Tech’s First-Round NFL Draft Drought: Can the Hokies Break the Streak Before Key Talent Transfers to Penn State?**

Virginia Tech has long been a respected program in college football, producing talented players who have gone on to have successful careers in the **NFL**. However, the Hokies have faced a frustrating **first-round draft drought**, with no player selected in the opening round since **2021** [A](https://www.si.com/college/virginiatech/when-will-virginia-tech-end-their-first-round-nfl-draft-drought-01jt0q8xgdg2?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJ3VkN2SFhyaGc5UzQ2Um9nUlR3bjQiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiRzl5R2N4MVBldjJkUEJ0ZHVvUllVIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvdmlyZ2luaWF0ZWNoXC93aGVuLXdpbGwtdmlyZ2luaWEtdGVjaC1lbmQtdGhlaXItZmlyc3Qtcm91bmQtbmZsLWRyYWZ0LWRyb3VnaHQtMDFqdDBxOHhnZGcyIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). As the program looks to regain its status as a pipeline for elite NFL talent, the question remains: **When will Virginia Tech break the streak?**

### **A Four-Year First-Round Absence**
The Hokies’ last first-round selections came in **2021**, when **cornerback Caleb Farley** was drafted by the **Tennessee Titans**, followed immediately by **offensive lineman Christian Darrisaw**, who was picked by the **Minnesota Vikings** [B](https://www.si.com/college/virginiatech/virginia-tech-football-no-hokies-drafted-in-the-first-round-for-four-years-running-01jsmx0pq7ed?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJ3VkN2SFhyaGc5UzQ2Um9nUlR3bjQiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiRzl5R2N4MVBldjJkUEJ0ZHVvUllVIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvdmlyZ2luaWF0ZWNoXC92aXJnaW5pYS10ZWNoLWZvb3RiYWxsLW5vLWhva2llcy1kcmFmdGVkLWluLXRoZS1maXJzdC1yb3VuZC1mb3ItZm91ci15ZWFycy1ydW5uaW5nLTAxanNteDBwcTdlZCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Since then, Virginia Tech has had several promising prospects enter the draft, but none have been selected in the first round.

The **2025 NFL Draft** marked the fourth consecutive year without a Hokie hearing their name called on **Day 1** [A](https://www.si.com/college/virginiatech/when-will-virginia-tech-end-their-first-round-nfl-draft-drought-01jt0q8xgdg2?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJ3VkN2SFhyaGc5UzQ2Um9nUlR3bjQiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiRzl5R2N4MVBldjJkUEJ0ZHVvUllVIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvdmlyZ2luaWF0ZWNoXC93aGVuLXdpbGwtdmlyZ2luaWEtdGVjaC1lbmQtdGhlaXItZmlyc3Qtcm91bmQtbmZsLWRyYWZ0LWRyb3VnaHQtMDFqdDBxOHhnZGcyIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). While five Virginia Tech players were drafted this year, including **Bhayshul Tuten, Jaylin Lane, Dorian Strong, Antwaun Powell-Ryland, and Aeneas Peebles**, all were selected in later rounds [C](https://hokiesports.com/news/2025/4/26/virginia-tech-football-five-hokies-taken-in-2025-nfl-draft?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJ3VkN2SFhyaGc5UzQ2Um9nUlR3bjQiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiRzl5R2N4MVBldjJkUEJ0ZHVvUllVIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvaG9raWVzcG9ydHMuY29tXC9uZXdzXC8yMDI1XC80XC8yNlwvdmlyZ2luaWEtdGVjaC1mb290YmFsbC1maXZlLWhva2llcy10YWtlbi1pbi0yMDI1LW5mbC1kcmFmdCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Despite strong performances in college, these players were overlooked in the first round, raising concerns about the program’s ability to develop top-tier NFL prospects.

### **Why Has Virginia Tech Struggled to Produce First-Round Picks?**
Several factors contribute to Virginia Tech’s **first-round draft drought**:
1. **Recruiting & Development** – While the Hokies have recruited talented players, their development hasn’t consistently translated into first-round draft status.
2. **Team Performance** – Virginia Tech has had **mixed results** in recent seasons, which may have impacted the visibility of its players in the draft process.
3. **NFL Scouting & Combine Results** – Some Hokie prospects have performed well in college but struggled in **NFL Combine testing**, affecting their draft stock who could **break the streak** in upcoming drafts. **Linebacker Woodson** has shown promise, with **strong tackling ability and athletic traits** that could make him a first-round prospect [B](https://www.si.com/college/virginiatech/virginia-tech-football-no-hokies-drafted-in-the-first-round-for-four-years-running-01jsmx0pq7ed?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJ3VkN2SFhyaGc5UzQ2Um9nUlR3bjQiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiRzl5R2N4MVBldjJkUEJ0ZHVvUllVIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvdmlyZ2luaWF0ZWNoXC92aXJnaW5pYS10ZWNoLWZvb3RiYWxsLW5vLWhva2llcy1kcmFmdGVkLWluLXRoZS1maXJzdC1yb3VuZC1mb3ItZm91ci15ZWFycy1ydW5uaW5nLTAxanNteDBwcTdlZCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1) [A](https://www.si.com/college/virginiatech/when-will-virginia-tech-end-their-first-round-nfl-draft-drought-01jt0q8xgdg2?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJ3VkN2SFhyaGc5UzQ2Um9nUlR3bjQiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiRzl5R2N4MVBldjJkUEJ0ZHVvUllVIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvdmlyZ2luaWF0ZWNoXC93aGVuLXdpbGwtdmlyZ2luaWEtdGVjaC1lbmQtdGhlaXItZmlyc3Qtcm91bmQtbmZsLWRyYWZ0LWRyb3VnaHQtMDFqdDBxOHhnZGcyIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1) Virginia Tech’s all-time squat record.

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### **Potential First-Round Talent on the Horizon**
Despite the drought, Virginia Tech has several players. Additionally, **defensive lineman Kemari Copeland** has gained attention for his **physical dominance**, breaking transferring to Penn State**, which could further delay the Hokies’ return to first-round prominence. If top players leave the program, Virginia Tech may struggle to develop **NFL-ready prospects**, prolonging the [A](https://www.si.com/college/virginiatech/when-will-virginia-tech-end-their-first-round-nfl-draft-drought-01jt0q8xgdg2?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJ3VkN2SFhyaGc5UzQ2Um9nUlR3bjQiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiRzl5R2N4MVBldjJkUEJ0ZHVvUllVIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvdmlyZ2luaWF0ZWNoXC93aGVuLXdpbGwtdmlyZ2luaWEtdGVjaC1lbmQtdGhlaXItZmlyc3Qtcm91bmQtbmZsLWRyYWZ0LWRyb3VnaHQtMDFqdDBxOHhnZGcyIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1) drought.

### **Looking Ahead**
Virginia Tech’s coaching staff, led by **Brent Pry**, is focused.

### **The Impact of Transfers**
Adding to the uncertainty, **key Virginia Tech talent is considering on **revitalizing the program** and ensuring that future Hokies are **first-round caliber** [B](https://www.si.com/college/virginiatech/virginia-tech-football-no-hokies-drafted-in-the-first-round-for-four-years-running-01jsmx0pq7ed?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJ3VkN2SFhyaGc5UzQ2Um9nUlR3bjQiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiRzl5R2N4MVBldjJkUEJ0ZHVvUllVIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3LnNpLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwvdmlyZ2luaWF0ZWNoXC92aXJnaW5pYS10ZWNoLWZvb3RiYWxsLW5vLWhva2llcy1kcmFmdGVkLWluLXRoZS1maXJzdC1yb3VuZC1mb3ItZm91ci15ZWFycy1ydW5uaW5nLTAxanNteDBwcTdlZCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). With improved recruiting, player development, and team performance, Virginia Tech has a chance to **end the drought** and reestablish itself as an NFL talent factory.

The question remains: **Will the Hokies break the streak before their best players transfer elsewhere?** Only time will tell.

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