Hokies Sign As NFL FAs
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A total of three Virginia Tech players (Kyle Fuller, Logan Thomas, and Antone Exum) were chosen in the 2014 NFL Draft this weekend. However, that was just the tip of the iceberg regarding the former Hokies that will get a chance to capture their dream.
Six more graduates found new homes for at least the summer, all going to different parts of the country.
Defensive end/linebacker James Gayle was surprisingly not selected in the draft, but that will only give the playmaker more motivation to succeed with the Tennessee Titans. In his highly productive career in which he started 39 games, Gayle registered 138 tackles, 40.5 tackles for loss, 22 sacks, and 93 quarterback hurries.
Defensive lineman Derrick Hopkins will be staying in the DMV area, as the Baltimore Ravens signed him to a free agent deal shortly after the draft ended. The powerful trench-fighter recorded 165 tackles and 13 sacks in 53 games played in the maroon and orange.
Linebacker Tariq Edmunds followed shortly thereafter, inking a deal to head down to Florida to become a Miami Dolphin. After missing nearly the entire 2012 season, Edmunds bounced back with a productive 2013 campaign. He accumulated two seasons of over 70 tackles, added four interceptions, and seven sacks in Blacksburg.
Center Andrew Miller will be joining Edwards in Florida, but it will be with new coach Lovie Smith and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bassett, VA native started 34 games on the offensive line in his tenure, and was always one of the leaders of that unit.
Wide receiver D.J. Coles is heading to the other side of the country in California, as he signed a deal with the Oakland Raiders. Coles registered a team-high 6 touchdown catches this season, and finished his career with 64 catches for 894 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Middle linebacker Jack Tyler added himself to the list of Hokie signees on Sunday, as he inked a deal to join Antone Exum with the Minnesota Vikings. Tyler recorded at least 100 tackles in each of the last two seasons, and finished with 286 overall with the Hokies. He also added 32.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
Hokie Haven wishes the best to all of the former Hokies in their quest at the next level.