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Prokies in the NFL: Week 1

Brett Smith·September 15, 2021

WE ARE BACK!

The 2021 NFL season kicked off this past week...meaning it's time for the return of our Prokies! During the off-season we had new draftees, new signees, and new teams for our Hokie alums.

Duane Brown

Entering his 14th year in the NFL, the five-time Pro Bowl star returns with the Seahawks. Many analysts and reporters questioned what kind of team Seattle was going to field this year, but in week one they showed they are still one of the premier teams in the NFL. Brown didn't skip a beat, grading second among OT's in pass blocking.

Photo from this post on X — September 14, 2021 · View on X

Chuck Clark

Chuck Clark has to be one of the best success stories for Prokie. The former sixth round pick starts again for the Ravens on Monday Night Football and had an incredible start to the 2021 season. In the first half, it seemed like he was in every one of Derek Carr's passing lanes. Clark finished the night with three pass deflections and three tackles.

Matej Sis
@MatejS247

Chuck Clark with two pass deflections within three plays. He looks super sharp tonight. #Hokies

September 14, 2021 · View on X

Terrell Edmunds

Terrell picked up right where he left off last season, netting five tackles in a thrilling opener against the Bills. Down the stretch, the Steelers defense prevailed to get the win in Buffalo.

He is going to be key in that tough secondary that includes Minkah Fitzpatrick, Cameron Sutton, and Joe Haden.

Tremaine Edmunds

On the flip side of that game, Tremaine faced the Steelers offense. He had a quiet start to the season, with only four tackles and pass deflection in this game. I wouldn't expect that for long however. After battling some nagging injuries last year, 'Maine is fully healthy and will be a force in the AFC East.

I mean, you gotta post this each time it happens. Too freakin' cool.

Kyle Fuller

Kyle is not a new face by any means in the NFL, but he is in a new uniform this year. He was released from the Bears after not being able to find a team to trade with, but was quickly picked up by the Broncos.

The former Pro Bowl player had a great start to his new venture recording six tackles and two pass deflections Sunday in the win over the Giants.

Video from this post on X — September 12, 2021 · View on X

Kendall Fuller

Kendall returns for the second year of his second stint with the Washington Football Team. He recorded five tackles in the loss against the Chargers.

Tim Settle

The "Penguin Dance" is back this year for the Washington Football team. Settle recorded a tackle this week against the Chargers, but I expect him to become more involved this year in one of the best front seven's in the NFL.

Joey Slye

After a disappointing preseason with the Panthers, Slye was released just before the NFL season started. Luckily, the Texans took a flyer on Slye quickly and it paid off in week one. He was 3/3 on FGs and 4/4 on XPs in their dominating win over the Jaguars.

The Texans starting kicker, Ka’imi Fairbairn was placed on IR and will miss the first three weeks. If Joey keeps this up, he may very well become the starter himself.

Tyrod Taylor

After a freak accident at the beginning of his career at the Chargers, Tyrod never saw the field again after Justin Herbert stepped foot on the grass.

In the off-season, the Houston Texans gave him a call and with all the accusations surrounding Deshaun Watson the starting role fell into Tyrod's lap.

It really puts a smile on my face watching him dance around in the backfield and throw a strike, just like he did in Lane over a decade ago. Tyrod threw for 291 yards and two TDs along with four rushes for 40 yards. The Texans thrashed the still struggling Jaguars to start the season 1-0.

This was one of his better performances of his career, especially in week one.

Wyatt Teller

Wyatt Teller probably had the best 2020 season out of any of the Prokies. He consistently was graded in the top three all year for his run blocking ability by PFF and received a second-team All-Pro.

Even though the Browns lost in what was the game of the weekend, he was still doing what he does best: run blocking.

Watch Teller (#77) seal the edge to help Chubb have a clear path into the endzone.

Logan Thomas

Okay maybe I lied in the last paragraph, LT3 may have had one of the best seasons for a Prokie in 2020. Thomas EXPLODED onto the scene about halfway through the season, becoming a key part in helping Washington and a struggling offense get to the playoffs.

He made it clear he was back for more on Sunday. He recorded three catches for 30 yards and a touchdown.

Rookie Roundup

We added four Prokies to the NFL this year! Here is a little update for each of them.

Christian Darrisaw (Vikings)

Currently recovering from a groin injury from the off-season but hoping to return in the next few weeks.

Caleb Farley (Titans)

Farley is listed as active for the Titans but did not see the field week one as he still is getting his feet wet after recovering from back surgery.

Divine Deablo (Raiders)

Deablo currently sits second on the depth chart for the Raiders "whip" linebacker role. He could very well be the next man up in the 2021 season.

Khalil Herbert (Bears)

Juice is listed as the starting KR for the Bears and the third RB on the depth chart. He had a nice start to the 2021 season with a 45 yard return on the opening kick on Sunday night.

Coach's Corner

Bruce Arians

The returning Super Bowl Champion coach was back on track Thursday night defeating the Cowboys. It sure looks like they could repeat with Tom Brady at the helm again!

Darryl Tapp

After spending 2020 with the Hokies, Tapp landed a job at the 49ers as an assistant defensive line coach. The 49ers won their season opener against the Lions in a shootout.

Corey Fuller

Also with the Hokies in 2020, another Fuller brother made his way back into the NFL. Corey was hired as a scouting assistant for the Carolina Panthers in the off-season.

Jeff King

One of the all time Hokie greats, Jeff King landed a nice promotion this off-season. He is now the director of pro scouting for the Chicago Bears after being an assistant for the previous three years.

Nick Sorenson

One of the key parts to the late 90s/early 2000s Hokie defenses is leading what BeamerBall taught him best: Special Teams. Sorenson landed the Special Teams Coordinator position for the Jaguars during the 2021 off-season.

Brett Smith

Columnist

Welcome to the Terror Dome my fellow Hokies. I am a 2019 graduate of Virginia Tech with a degree in Agribusiness along with minors in Communication Studies and Entrepreneurship. I come from a Hokie family.