Strengths: Very fast Instinctive Extremely reliable tackler Uses good tackling technique to wrap up ball-carriers Athletic Read-and-react skills Fabulous run-defender Physical player Regularly generates splash plays Produces good down-and-distance situations Quality blitzer Three-down linebacker Durable Experienced Weaknesses: Will have to work on taking on and shedding blocks Only a 4-3 player Only an outside linebacker…

Career Recap: Stills had a very good true freshman season in 2010. He caught 61 passes for 786 yards and five touchdowns, and was a good complement to star receiver Ryan Broyles. Stills was mildly disappointing as a sophomore, especially after Broyles went down with a knee injury partway through the season. Stills hauled in…

Strengths: Fabulous run-defender Takes on blocks extremely well Adept at shedding blocks Excellent tackler Fast, covers a lot of ground Extremely physical Play recognition Intelligence Hard hitter Plus instincts Gets deep in his pass drops Aggressive attitude Blitzing ability Explosive Good open-field tackling Potential to be good in pass coverage Blitzing ability Scheme versatility Weaknesses:…

Strengths: Extremely effective pass-protector Phenomenal athlete Rare agility Massive upside Very reliable Quick feet Gets to blocks on the second level Good pad level Fast in his drop Mobility to hit blocks on the second level Strong run-blocker Good at pulling Natural bender Sustains blocks Perfect fit for a zone-blocking system Football DNA, bloodlines Strong…

Career Recap: There were pretty big shoes to fill for Thomas as he replaced Tyrod Taylor as the Hokies’ starting quarterback. Taylor racked up a lot of wins in his career for Virginia Tech, but Thomas took college football by storm with a fabulous debut season in 2011. He set the school record for rushing…

Strengths: Kick blocking Very strong Physical Fast, surprising closing speed Explosion Steady motor Powerful bull rush Can play tackle Perfect fit as a 3-4 end Great length Extremely well put together Scheme versatility Huge upside Excellent weight room work ethic Mature, dedicated Weaknesses: Pad level Raw Inconsistent in shedding blocks Older, turns 26 in July…

Strengths: Cannon for an arm Quick release Plus mechanics Big pocket presence Great height Can make all the throws Good deep-ball thrower Huge upside Large hands Can get hot and dominate in stretches Displays a gunslinger mentality Book smart Weaknesses: Accuracy issues Decision-making Ball security, prone to interceptions Not mobile, statue in the pocket Takes…

Strengths: Excellent vision Good balance Body lean Patient runner Intelligence Finishes runs well Can pick up some yards after contact Good feet Nice cutting ability Ready to contribute in the NFL Strong ball security Decisive runner Stamina Experienced Weaknesses: Slow Not very physical Lacks burst Will need to improve blocking Not a lot of receiving…

Career Recap: Teammate Shaun Prater had the bigger name and received more attention for the 2011 NFL Draft, but Hyde was the better prospect. He entered the starting lineup as a sophomore on the other side from Prater after serving as a backup during his freshman season in 2009. Hyde had an excellent debut with…

Strengths: Extremely physical Very instinctive Fast, flies around the field Devastating hitter Can separate the ball from the receiver Takeaways Splash plays Ballhawk Very good in pass coverage in the deep part of the field Reads a quarterbacks’ eyes Good hands for a defensive back Covers a lot of ground in pass defense Solid run-defender…