After a season to forget, the Virginia Tech Hokies have a couple of NFL Draft prospects that declared for the event. Will any of them hear their names called by an NFL team? Let’s dive into their scouting reports to find out.
Virginia Tech 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
Chamarri Conner, S
Strengths: Four-year starter who’s lined up at cornerback, nickel back, and safety. Displays a terrific head for the ball, stays with coverage assignments, and is effective facing the action. Fluid pedaling in reverse, displays good anticipation, and flies around the action. Fires upfield, blows through blocks, and sells out to make plays. Showed well during Senior Bowl practices.
Weaknesses: Stiff. Slow flipping his hips. Lacks an explosive burst out of his plant and doesn’t drive to the ball. Deep speed is an issue.
Overall: Conner is a terrific football player, yet he’s an average athlete who lacks next-level speed. His instincts and tenacity will set him up to be a fourth safety/special-teams player on Sundays.
Dax Hollifield, LB
Strengths: Hard-charging linebacker who was a tackling machine the past five seasons at Virginia Tech. Aggressive, instinctive, and quickly locates the ball handler. Flows well to the action or fires upfield and takes proper angles to plays. Tough run defender who wraps up tackling and brings opponents down in the open field. Does a great job quarterbacking the defense and makes the calls for the unit.
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Weaknesses: Lacks pursuit speed. Possesses average quickness. Struggles redirecting to ball handlers. Not fluid or smooth pedaling in reverse.
Overall: Hollifield is an intense linebacker with a one-dimensional game and poor measurables. He offers possibilities on the inside of a 3-4 alignment, yet more than anything else, Hollifield must impress on special teams this summer.
Silas Dzansi, OT
Strengths: Massive offensive tackle who is effective in a small area. Works to block with leverage, stays square, and keeps his head on a swivel. Fires off the snap into blocks. Explosive at the point and strong. Turns defenders from the action or knocks them from plays with 36-inch arms. Makes good use of angles in pass protection. Gives effort and plays through the whistle.
Weaknesses: Struggles to adjust and gets beaten by inside moves. Lacks quick, fluid footwork off the edge.
Overall: Dzansi has been a solid two-year lineman at Virginia Tech and comes with next-level measurables. He lacks agility as well as athleticism, but Dzansi is worth keeping on a practice squad for potential development at right tackle or guard.