Virginia Tech Football: Hokies' Top 2016 NFL Draft Prospects

The 2015 NFL draft is now in the books. But it's never too early to begin taking a look at next year's draft prospects.

The Virginia Tech Hokies had just two players selected in last week's draft. While Tech's first player didn't get selected until the sixth round, Kyshoen Jarrett's and Laurence Gibson's entries into the NFL make it 22 consecutive years in which a Hokies player was drafted.

That's a pretty impressive streak.

Now, the 2016 draft should be a bigger one for the Hokies. Who are Virginia Tech's top NFL prospects for the 2015 season?

Here is a look at five Hokies who could be high on the radars of NFL teams next spring. 

Defensive End Dadi Nicolas

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Dadi Nicolas brings down Ohio State's J.T. Barrett last September

Dadi Nicolas, a 6'4", 236-pound senior defensive end, has improved in each of the last two years. As a sophomore, Nicolas came off the bench to record four sacks and seven tackles for loss.

In 2014, as a full-time starter for the first time, Nicolas thrived. He finished the season with nine sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss, resulting in an All-ACC berth for Nicolas. 

Now, as a senior, Nicolas aims to show pro scouts that he isn't just another undersized pass-rusher in defensive coordinator Bud Foster's productive scheme. 

Nicolas has outstanding size for a 3-4 rush linebacker in the NFL. However, that role will require Nicolas to drop into coverage often. That's something he rarely does at Tech. Fortunately for him, though, he possesses the speed and athleticism of a tight end. The ability is there, but the experience isn't.

He doesn't have the size to play defensive end in a traditional 4-3 defense at the next level. Asking him to gain too much weight to do so could jeopardize some of Nicolas' athleticism—his best trait.

Nicolas will likely have a strong senior season—barring injury—and should impress scouts from every team at the combine next February. 

Defensive Tackle Luther Maddy

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Luther Maddy

Luther Maddy should be entering his first season in the NFL in 2015, but a knee injury last year led Maddy to a medical redshirt and a chance to return to Blacksburg for one more run. 

Maddy, at 6'1", 293 pounds, is a bit undersized for the defensive tackle position in the NFL. However, players such as St. Louis Rams star Aaron Donald have begun to squash that notion. Donald, at 6'1", 288 pounds coming out of Pittsburgh one year ago, went in the top 15 of the NFL draft and went on to become the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Now, that's not to say Maddy is Donald. He isn't. No one is.

A more fair comparison may be Clemson's Grady Jarrett, who went in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL draft. Before his injury, Maddy was a more productive college player than Jarrett was. So it's fair to say that Maddy's pro stock lies somewhere in between that of Donald and that of Jarrett.

Maddy is powerfully built at 293 pounds. He understands how to use leverage in the trenches and is a good athlete for a man of his size. If Maddy can stay healthy in 2015, he will be on the radars of NFL teams around the league next spring

Running Back J.C. Coleman

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J.C. Coleman

J.C. Coleman is entering his senior season as Tech's starting tailback. That's not foreign territory for Coleman, as he entered last season as VT's starter in the backfield. Unfortunately for Coleman, he struggled. That wasn't necessarily all his fault, though.

Tech's offensive line has struggled, for the most part, in each of the last two seasons. Regardless of who was in the backfield, VT's running game sputtered. However, once Wyatt Teller entered the starting lineup at guard, the running game took off, and Coleman returned to the starting lineup. In the Hokies' last four games, Coleman ran for 468 yards, averaging just under six yards per carry.

Coleman is not a player who will go in the first round. He's on the small side (5'7", 190 lbs), but he runs between the tackles surprisingly well. As expected, Coleman is a home run threat, too. Coleman was timed at 4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash in offseason testing.

The NFL is a matchup league now more than ever. A player like Coleman—and the versatility he brings—can help take an NFL offense to the next level. While he won't be a high selection in the draft, he will intrigue several teams because of his speed and experience. Coleman is a good receiver, too.

Tight End Bucky Hodges

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Hodges

Yes, Hokies fans, tight end Bucky Hodges is just a sophomore. However, he's a redshirt sophomore—three years removed from high school. Therefore, he's eligible for entry into the NFL draft next spring.

At 6'6", 249 pounds, Hodges has the size most NFL tight ends dream of. A big, super-athletic red-zone target who can single-handedly dominate games, Hodges is relatively new to the position. This season will be his second at the position. Tech recruited him to play quarterback, and he was a pretty good one, too.

Hodges' blocking needs work, but the effort is there. Unless you've played the position for a while, it's tough to become a good blocker so soon. He has the size and frame to do so, though.

If Hodges improves this season the way he did in 2014, he will likely be a first-round pick in next year's draft. He is the kind of matchup nightmare NFL teams covet. Hodges reminds many of Seattle star Jimmy Graham. 

Cornerback Kendall Fuller

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Kendall Fuller

Tech's top overall prospect and arguably the best cornerback in the nation, rising junior Kendall Fuller will join his older brothers (Corey and Kyle) in the NFL. The question is when.

Players like Fuller, who will almost certainly be guaranteed a spot in the first round—barring injury—rarely return for their final season of college. The risk is too great.

Fuller is a tremendous corner. He is not only strong in coverage, but he's also an intelligent player and a willing tackler, too. He's as clean of a prospect as you'll see.

Sure, Hokies fans would love for Fuller to return to Blacksburg in 2016, but that is unlikely to occur. If Fuller has another All-American campaign in 2015, he'll hear a team call his name early next spring.