Virginia Tech DT Tim Settle declares for the NFL Draft

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The Hokies lost a big piece of their defense to the NFL Draft on Thursday. Literally and figuratively.Authentic Leonard Fournette Jersey,

Defensive tackle Tim Settle announced that he will forgo his final two seasons of eligibility and enter the NFL Draft, explaining his decision on Twitter.Authentic Myles Jack Jersey

The 6-foot-3, 335-pound redshirt sophomore from Manassas became a force for the Hokies on the interior of the defensive line. He made 36 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks in his lone season as a full-time starter last fall, earning second-team All-ACC honors.womens Dante Fowler Jr Jersey,

His NFL stock is very much unknown at this stage, given how young he is. NFLDraftScout.com lists him as the No. 12 defensive tackle in the 2020 class. He's not listed among the top 10 defensive tackles in the 2018 draft on ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper's list.womens Yannick Ngakoue Jersey

Redshirt sophomore defensive tackles entering the draft are rare but not unprecedented. The last to get picked was Arkansas' Darius Philon, the last was LSU's Michael Brockers, who was taken by the Chargers in the sixth round in 2015. Prior to that, a first-round pick by the Rams in 2012.Authentic T.J. Yeldon Jersey

Settle was a four-star recruit in 2015 who shed more than 30 pounds to get in playing shape during and after his redshirt season. He was a part-time player in 2016, though he began to make an impact later in the season, finishing with 17 tackles and seven tackles for a loss in reserve duty before a star turn this past fall.Authentic Dante Fowler Jr Jersey

While it was a trio of Hokies offensive stars that went pro last year — Jerod Evans, Isaiah Ford and Bucky Hodges — Settle could be the first of several Tech defensive players who could declare for the draft in the next couple weeks.Authentic A. J. Cann Jersey

Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds has the highest draft ceiling of anyone, though safety Terrell Edmunds, defensive tackle Ricky Walker and cornerback Adonis Alexander are all underclassmen who could go as well. The deadline for players to enter their name in the draft is Jan. 15.womens A. J. Cann Jersey

Settle's departure is a blow to Tech's defensive tackle depth, certainly after he and Walker formed a dynamic duo in the middle of the Hokies' defense last season. If Walker comes back, he'll again be the leader of that defensive line.womens Leonard Fournette Jersey

Jarrod Hewitt emerged as the third tackle in the rotation last fall, although Tech often moved Vinny Mihota in from end for certain situations, something the Hokies may consider as a more permanent move in the future. Mihota is recovering from a knee injury suffered against Pitt that required season-ending surgery.womens Cam Robinson Jersey

His NFL stock is very much unknown at this stage, given how young he is. NFLDraftScout.com lists him as the No. 12 defensive tackle in the 2020 class. He's not listed among the top 10 defensive tackles in the 2018 draft on ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper's list.womens Brandon Allen Jersey,

Redshirt sophomore defensive tackles entering the draft are rare but not unprecedented. The last to get picked was Arkansas' Darius Philon, who was taken by the Chargers in the sixth round in 2015. Prior to that, the last was LSU's Michael Brockers, a first-round pick by the Rams in 2012.Authentic Brandon Allen Jersey,'

Settle was a four-star recruit in 2015 who shed more than 30 pounds to get in playing shape during and after his redshirt season. He was a part-time player in 2016, finishing with 17 tackles and seven tackles for a loss in reserve duty before a star turn this past fall.womens Myles Jack Jersey, though he began to make an impact later in the season,

While it was a trio of Hokies offensive stars that went pro last year — Jerod Evans, Isaiah Ford and Bucky Hodges — Settle could be the first of several Tech defensive players who could declare for the draft in the next couple weeks.Authentic Yannick Ngakoue Jersey

Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds has the highest draft ceiling of anyone, defensive tackle Ricky Walker and cornerback Adonis Alexander are all underclassmen who could go as well. The deadline for players to enter their name in the draft is Jan. 15.womens T.J. Yeldon Jersey, though safety Terrell Edmunds

Settle's departure is a blow to Tech's defensive tackle depth, certainly after he and Walker formed a dynamic duo in the middle of the Hokies' defense last season. If Walker comes back,, he'll again be the leader of that defensive line.Authentic Cam Robinson Jersey