Virginia Tech has a solid tradition of winning, and a lot of their success is
attributed to their ability to recruit players from Virginia. It's known that
the state has produced some of the best athletes over the years, and
Virginia Tech has produced some of the nation's most prized athletes. But with
all the talent the Hokies have had recently, they haven't produced a first-round
draft pick since 2004. The last first-round pick was Atlanta Falcons All-Pro
cornerback DeAngelo Hall.
The Hokies have another talented crop of prospects this season that includes defensive end Chris Ellis, cornerback Brandon Flowers, linebacker Vince Hall, and linebacker Xavier Adibi. Although these players are highly touted, the only one that will
receive first-round consideration is Ellis.
The streak of non-first round picks continues, but that doesn't mean these
prospects won't become quality players at the next level. In 2006, the Hokies
had nine players drafted, and not one of them was a first-round pick.
The fifth-ranked Hokies will lose a lot of defensive leadership to the NFL
next season as six of their 11 starters will likely be drafted. Here's a look
at the potential 2008 Virginia Tech draft class:
DE, Chris Ellis (Sr.)
Draft Projection: 1st - 2nd Round
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 267
Ellis is a hard working defensive end who plays with a great motor. He's
quick off the snap, plays with good leverage, and uses his hands effectively
against a bigger opposition. He's an aggressive player who holds his own against a
bigger lineman and is rarely off his feet. He has good body control and changes
direction well in pursuit. He has quick feet, good lateral movement, and
consistently makes big plays. Ellis is a tenacious defensive end who's been
very productive in the ACC and had 8.5 sacks this season for the Hokies. He's
one of the better DEs available in the draft and will be a first-day selection.
CB, Brandon Flowers (Jr.)
Draft Projection: 2nd Round
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 200
Flowers is a naturally-gifted defender with excellent ball skills. He has
excellent footwork and back pedals fluidly. He has great agility and doesn't
lose momentum transitioning in coverage. He breaks well on the pass and
instantly gets into an offensive position in defense. He's an instinctive
defender who has a great burst of speed, diagnoses a play, and defends the run
well. Flowers is an underclassman who's physically ready to take his game to
the next level, but it remains to be seen if he'll do so. He's an elite corner
with promising ability and is a definite Day One selection.
LB, Vince Hall (Sr.)
Draft Projection: 2nd Round
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 238
Hall is a ferocious linebacker who has the ability to be used inside or
outside. He plays with a lot of aggression, explodes through the hole, and takes
good angles against the opposition. He has great sideline-to-sideline range and
is great in pursuit. He's a sure tackler who has a knack for making a big play.
He covers a large area, drops well in coverage, and flashes on the scene
quickly. He's disciplined in defense and understands his assignments. He
commands respect from his teammates and is a leader on and off the field. Hall
brings a fiery attitude to the field and his effort is never questioned. He's a
leader who should have an instant impact at the next level.
LB, Xavier Adibi (Sr.)
Draft Projection: 2nd - 3rd Round
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 236
Adibi is an athletic defender who has the ability to play inside or outside
linebacker. He has excellent instincts and uses his speed to explode through the
hole and make plays in the backfield. He has a great burst and closing speed to
get around the edge to defend the run. He covers a large area, plays well in
coverage, and possesses excellent ball skills. He's a disciplined player who
understands his assignments and doesn't get caught out of position. Adibi is a
tremendous athlete that brings a lot of intangibles to the field. He'll be a
standout on special teams and has a chance to be an exceptional WILL linebacker
at the next level. Adibi will be a second- to third-round selection next April.
Victor Harris intercepts a pass.
AP Photo/John Bazemore |
CB, Victor Harris (Jr.)
Draft Projection: 3rd Round
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 203
Harris is a well-built defensive back with tremendous skills. He's an
aggressive defender who jams opponents at the line, stalling their progress
getting into their routes. He has good footwork and flips his hips well in
transition. He has excellent instincts, immediately locates the ball in the air,
and displays great timing in pass defense. He's a willing defender in run
defense, but has to improve his tackling technique. Just like Flowers, Harris is
an underclassman. But unlike Flowers, Harris would benefit from staying in
school for his senior season. If Harris decides to forego his final season,
he'll be an early second-day selection.
WR, Eddie Royal (Sr.)
Draft Projection: 4th Round
Height: 5-10 | Weight: 180
Royal is an outstanding return specialist who's still developing into a
consistent receiver. He's a good route runner who displays quickness in and out
of his breaks, gets separation from defenders and comes back to the ball. He has
excellent vertical speed and times deep passes very well. He's always looking to
make a big play and shows great acceleration after the catch. Royal is a work in
progress as a receiver. He shows flashes of greatness, followed by moments of
inconsistency. Although he's still working on his game as an offensive threat,
Royal presents a unique element on special teams.
DT, Barry Booker (Sr.)
Draft Projection: 4th Round
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 290
Booker is a versatile defensive lineman who has intriguing size and good
skills. He's quick off the snap, plays with good leverage and makes plays in the
backfield. He's strong at the point of attack and is able to hold his own
against bigger interior linemen. He slides off blocks, wedges between blockers
and is able to alter the direction of a ball carrier. Booker is an interesting
player because he's got very good size and speed to play inside or outside on
the defensive line. He's played very well for the Hokies this season, and his 43
tackles, 10.5 for a loss, and four sacks have improved his draft stock.
WR, Justin Harper (Sr.)
Draft Projection: 4th Round
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 214
Harper is an outstanding athlete who has great upside for the next level. He
has great size, speed, and hands and has the ability to run away from defenders
in the open field. He gets a good release off the line and is quick in and out
of his cuts. He's a strong receiver who runs good routes and is able to make
tough catches by muscling up defenders. He has good instincts and consistently
comes back to the quarterback making himself an available target. Harper has a
chance to improve his draft status during the offseason with a good showing at
the NFL Scouting Combine. He's got a lot of skills, but at this point he's a mid-round
selection.
RB Branden Ore
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images |
RB, Branden Ore (Jr.)
Draft Projection: 4th - 5th Round
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 205
Ore is a hard-working runner with a well-rounded game. He's a patient runner
who waits for blocks to develop and displays excellent vision. He has quick
feet, bounces around piles, and keeps moving up the field. He's an aggressive
runner, who plays with some shiftiness and runs low to the ground. He has good
hands and is a good receiver out of the backfield. He's a solid blocker and
gives a good effort on every play. Ore had an outstanding sophomore campaign
rushing for 1,137 yards on 241 carries (4.7 YPC) and 16 touchdowns, but his
production this season slipped. He had 244 carries for 876 yards (3.6 YPC) and
eight touchdowns. Ore should stay in school for his senior season and try to
improve on his disappointing junior season.
OT, Duane Brown (Sr.)
Draft Projection: 5th Round
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 308
Brown is a good technician who has good size and mobility. He takes good
angles, keeps his feet moving in pass protection, and uses his hands
effectively. He's patient at the point of attack and seals defenders from making
plays. He has good strength and is able to knock defenders off their rush. He
picks up blitzes and works well with his linemates. He has good lateral movement
and is able to get to the second level in run blocking. Brown has a lot of
potential and is a solid prospect. He has good mobility, but may need to add
more bulk to standout.
FS, D.J. Parker (Sr.)
Draft Projection: 5th Round
Height: 6-0 | Weight: 198
Parker is a versatile defender who can play either corner or safety. He's an
instinctive defender who takes good angles in coverage and has playmaking
ability. He has good awareness and always looks to take part in the action. He
reads a play well and has a good burst to the ball carrier. Parker's versatility
will make him a solid prospect. He has a chance to have an immediate impact on
special teams and be a quality backup at the next level.
DT, Carlton Powell (Sr.)
Draft Projection: 6th Round
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 293
Powell is a quick interior lineman who has some upside. He plays with good
pad level, gets leverage on the opposition, and displays a good motor in
pursuit. He has good instincts and is able to read the action and react. He uses
his hands well and fights off the opponent with his strength. He's a hard worker
and stays with the play consistently. Powell is a consistent player inside and
gives a good effort, but he doesn't produce elite numbers and isn't always the
first to arrive on the scene.
Undrafted Virginia Tech Prospects:
WR, Josh Morgan (Sr.)
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 220
WR, Josh Hyman (Sr.)
Height: 5-11 | Weight: 190
A member of the Pro Football Writers of America and the Football Writers Association of America, Chris Steuber has provided his analysis of the NFL and NFL Draft prospects on the web and on the radio since 1999.