With The First Pick
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Virginia Tech Football continues to lose talent to 2021 NFL Draft

By Chris Spooner

Divine Deablo (17) and the Virginia Tech defense punished FSU's offensive mistakes the entire game. FSU would go on to put up only 3 points on Monday, September 3rd at Doak Campbell Stadium.Fsv Fsufootballvsvt Mm 090318 9 Of 15
Divine Deablo (17) and the Virginia Tech defense punished FSU's offensive mistakes the entire game. FSU would go on to put up only 3 points on Monday, September 3rd at Doak Campbell Stadium.Fsv Fsufootballvsvt Mm 090318 9 Of 15 /
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2021 NFL Draft
2021 NFL Draft prospect Khalil Herbert. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports /

Virginia Tech loses two more to the 2021 NFL Draft

Virginia Tech is losing a pair of stars to the 2021 NFL Draft in running back Khalil Herbert and safety Divine Deablo. Not much has gone right for the Hokies in the 2020 college football season. They’ve finished their season in the middle of the ACC standings. This comes after cornerback Caleb Farley opted out and declared before the season, and then after rumors of left tackle Christian Darrisaw leaning towards declaring as well.

Head coach Justin Fuentes led the team to a .500 record within the conference, and a losing season overall. This season will be the first in more than 20 years the Hokies don’t appear in a bowl game.

Yet, Herbert and Deablo provided bright spots in an otherwise dim season for the team. Herbert had a breakout season for the Hokies, rushing for more than 1100 yards and scoring eight touchdowns on the ground.

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On the defense, Deablo finished fourth on the team in tackles, while leading the defense with four interceptions. Both players were key contributors for Virginia Tech, but what are their NFL Draft prospects?

NFL Draft Outlook of Herbert

There’s a lot to like when it comes to Khalil Herbert’s game. Initially starting his career at Kansas, Herbert was often overshadowed by other backs. With Virginia Tech, he was able to shine and improve his 2021 NFL Draft stock greatly. Herbert has shown to be the proverbial “one-cut” running back, seeing the hole and hitting it with authority. He’s not the fastest, but he’s shown to have plenty of straight-line speed to get the job done.

What helps the Virginia Tech product most in the NFL Draft is what he’s exhibited in the passing game. His 10 receptions and just over 100 yards aren’t going to wow anyone, but his willingness to block on third down will. Showing off that skillset is going to give him more versatility and help him stay on the field, raising his prospects.

As of right now, Pro Football Network’s NFL Draft expert Tony Pauline has Herbert as a projected 4th-to-5th round grade.

2021 NFL Draft outlook of Deablo

His counterpart at Virginia Tech, and now the NFL Draft, Deablo has exceptional size for the safety position. At 6-foot-3 and just over 220 pounds, Deablo fits an evolving safety position in the NFL. With Deablo’s size and physical prowess, he’s got the versatility to cover tight ends down the seam, or come up into the box as an effective linebacker.

Next. Scouting the 2021 NFL Draft: Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas. dark

This dual-threat ability is likely what has him as a third-to-fourth round prospect on Pauline’s big board.

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