Several Virginia Tech Players are Hoping to be Drafted

The 2015 NFL Draft begins tonight. Several Virginia Tech players will be hoping to hear their names called, though none will be selected early.

Here’s a look at the number of players drafted each year in the Beamer Bowl Era. Note that I’m starting with the 1994 Draft, because those guys would have played in the 1993 season.

1994: 3
1995: 2
1996: 2
1997: 4
1998: 4
1999: 2
2000: 5
2001: 3
2002: 8
2003: 2
2004: 5
2005: 3
2006: 9
2007: 3
2008: 8
2009: 1
2010: 5
2011: 3
2012: 3
2013: 2
2014: 3

Virginia Tech’s talent level improved in the late 1990s, which culminated in a very strong 2002 draft class. The 2006 and 2008 classes were also very impressive. However, Tech has only had more than three players drafted in one season since that 2008 class.

Let’s divide those years up into three eras…

Big East (94-04): 3.64 draftees per season
Early ACC (05-08): 5.75 draftees per season
Late ACC (09-14): 2.83 draftees per season

What’s interesting is that Tech was putting more players into the NFL back in their Big East days than currently. Overall, there has been less talent in Blacksburg over the last few years than we saw in the early days of the ACC era. That is not only clear from looking at the NFL Draft numbers, but at Virginia Tech’s recent records as well.

Tech didn’t have anybody drafted in the first four rounds in 2013, and it appears that will happen again for the second time in three years. Between one and three Virginia Tech players are expected to be selected, with the likely number being one or two. That would drop Tech’s recent average even further. None of the three prospects are projected to come off the board any higher than the 5th round.

Here’s a quick look at the three guys who have a chance to be drafted…

OT Laurence Gibson, 6-6, 305

NFL Draft Scout: 6th round
Walter Football: 5th round
NFL.com: Undrafted

Gibson has prototypical size, and he tested out extremely well at the NFL Combine. Most mock drafts I looked at have him being taken in the later rounds, though a few others don’t agree. He’s a somewhat similar prospect to Vinston Painter, a former 6th round pick who played in three games for the Browns last season.

Though he is very athletic and has quick feet, Gibson’s playing strength sometimes does not match up to his weight room numbers.

SS Kyshoen Jarrett, 5-10, 200

NFL Draft Scout: 6th round
Walter Football: Undrafted
NFL.com: 6th or 7th round

Jarrett is a good natural football player, though he’s not quite as athletic as you’d want a safety to be. His stock is also hurt by the fact that he probably can only play one position in the NFL. He has a shot to be a late round selection.

FS Detrick Bonner, 6-0, 207

NFL Draft Scout: Undrafted
Walter Football: Undrafted
NFL.com: Undrafted

Though most aren’t projecting Bonner to be drafted, he has more coverage skills than Kyshoen Jarrett, and he is capable of playing multiple positions. I don’t see him being drafted, but it’s possible that his versatility could allow him to come off the board in the seventh round. Remember, all it takes is one team to like you.