A new era of Virginia Tech football is upon us, and their cast of prospects for the 2023 NFL Draft is extensive. With new head coach Brent Pry likely putting an emphasis on defense, the old regime still has done some impressive things on the offensive side of the ball. Still, as you’d expect, the Hokies ready to make waves in the 2023 NFL Draft are headlined by their defenders.
Virginia Tech prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft
With a new quarterback — and a good one at that — the Hokies‘ offense will look dramatically different in 2022. Grant Wells leads this group into the season, but this offense can rely heavily on this veteran defense to get things rolling.
Grant Wells, QB
Wells hails from Marshall after two great seasons at the helm of the Thundering Herd. Though box score junkies will tell you to look at his interception totals, Wells proved time and time again that he was poised for bigger things. He has some of the best over-the-middle accuracy in the nation and also has terrific layering in his throws. Wells can hit every level of the field and has elite anticipation. How quickly we see that anticipation and throwing his receivers open in his new home will go a long way at depicting the Hokies’ success in 2022 and Wells’ decision to enter the 2023 NFL Draft.
Kaleb Smith, WR
With ample size and improving hands, Kaleb Smith is in line for a massive uptick in targets in 2022. Smith was third on the team a year ago in total targets and receiving yards, but with the departures of Tayvion Robinson and Tre Turner, he’s in line to be one of the featured pass catchers in Blacksburg this season. Smith is a true X receiver out wide and can speed past slower defensive backs or haul receptions in over smaller corners.
Jadan Blue, WR
A Temple transfer, Jadan Blue had a breakout performance in 2019 but was hampered with lackluster quarterback play during the 2020 COVID season and 2021 with the Owls. Playing bigger than his frame would indicate, Blue is dominant at the catch point. He also has an underrated elusiveness after the catch that allows him to dictate help in coverage. Finding Blue in space will pay dividends for this offense in 2022.
Nick Gallo, TE
We all know that Grant Wells loves finding his tight ends, and Nick Gallo should be in line for a huge bump in production because of it. A master of his craft in space, Gallo can find holes in zone and use his size to pave open lanes in the short area of the field very well. Gallo is also a sound blocker on the run, proving that multiple times a season ago.
Silas Dzansi, OT
Sliding into the feature role at left tackle for the departed Luke Tenuta, Silas Dzansi is a name everyone needs to know for the 2023 NFL Draft. Dzansi played just about every position in 2021 when pressed into duty for the Hokies, spending time at both guard tackle spots in a pinch. Playing a natural tackle role, Dzansi can use his massive frame and wide reach to keep Wells clean in the passing game and open up big holes on the ground with his elite first step.
Jesse Hanson, G
An underclassman by trade, Jesse Hanson may not declare for the 2023 NFL Draft, but he certainly will have the chance to showcase his skills and put his massive frame to work this season. A dominant high school athlete at Lord Botetourt High School, Hanson was a two-time Offensive Lineman of the Year in the VHSL. He slides into the guard spot vacated by Lecitus Smith to form a young but experienced left side of the line.
Johnny Jordan, C
It certainly seems like a while ago Johnny Jordan was suiting up for the Maryland Terrapins. Yet, the four-year Terp had a solid season in relief for Brock Hoffman in Blacksburg in 2021 and is back for one final collegiate campaign. With great skills in the passing game, Jordan proved to have positional versatility last year and could make waves with a dominant season anchoring the offensive line.
TyJuan Garbutt, EDGE
Though a bit undersized to today’s standards of edge rushers, TyJuan Garbutt has proven over the years that his size is no deterrent to him getting after the quarterback. After missing time in 2020, Garbutt’s 2021 season was incredibly efficient and explosive. He wins from a variety of spots on the defensive line and can use his quick first step and sound hands to beat most tackles in the ACC this season.
Pheldarius Payne, EDGE
Transferring in from Nebraska, Pheldarius Payne returns home to Virginia Tech. A big man at 6’3″ and 260 pounds, Payne showed plenty of movement skills at times with the Cornhuskers. He’s got good hands at the point of contact with linemen and can move well around them if necessary.
Mario Kendricks, DT
Though limited a season ago, Mario Kendricks started the season off very well from the middle of the defensive line. He’s has some solid pass-rush moves to lean on as he commands attention in the middle. But it’s his speed off the ball that is impressive.
Norell Pollard, DT
One of the mainstays over the past three seasons, Norell Pollard has proven to be too much to handle for most linemen who engage with him. He has a stout frame but fights well through it, using his speed to his advantage. Pollard has great strength and a better base when fighting through the trash on the inside.
Alan Tisdale, LB
One of the most experienced linebackers returning to college football, Alan Tisdale has shown to be a terrific all-around defender over the years. Tisdale has unmatched strength and a great ability to read and react in the run game. He’ll drop in coverage extremely well, keeping everything in front of him and moving at a much higher rate than his pass catchers. Tisdale is rarely beat in any facet and has the size of a defensive end to boot.
Dax Hollifield, LB
Calling the shots on the inside, longtime Virginia Tech LB Dax Hollifield returns for his fifth year in Blacksburg. Anchoring the second level of the defense with Tisdale once again, Hollifield is as good as they get in finding the football. He’ll run the alley extremely well and is technically proficient when rushing the passer. Hollifield has a terrific set of coverage skills over the middle of the field, taking as much space as he can without getting lost in coverage and cutting off passing lanes.
Armani Chatman, CB
Locking down one side of the field for another season at VA Tech, Armani Chatman brings his fierce coverage ability back for one more year. Chatman is sticky and keeps his receivers blanketed in coverage with a mix of reacting ability and smooth hips. He’s also sound at the catch point and possesses great length despite standing 5’11”.
Dorian Strong, CB
A long cornerback opposite Chatman, Dorian Strong proved to be just as sticky as advertised in 2021. He blankets receivers as well and also has a knack for finding the ball. Strong is just that — strong — at the catch point, both with his reach and his ability to separate football from the receiver with his ferocious type of play.
Chamarri Conner, CB
Handling the inside coverage duties, Chamarri Conner is a lockdown cornerback with three years of near-elite production. He’ll keep receivers in front of him and makes plenty of plays with his back to the ball. Conner is also a stout all-around player, proving an ability to read the offense and react accordingly.
Nasir Peoples, S
Closing space is the name of the game for Nasir Peoples. He’s as sound in run defense as he is in coverage, proving that time and time again. Peoples attacks downhill extremely well and has enough coverage ability to man the box assignments that comes with his position.
Keonta Jenkins, DB
One of the bigger defensive backs in the ACC, Keonta Jenkins plays a unique brand of football. Though he appeared in just a handful of games a year ago, he’s expected to see a massive uptick in snaps and should also see a huge boost in production. He’s already made multiple plays on the ball to indicate his talent. At 6’3″ and 207 pounds, Jenkins moves incredibly well in space and has great speed.