Every Virginia Tech Player That Made an NFL 53-Man Roster The NFL regular season is set to begin, with teams finalizing their 53-player rosters ahead of the schedule. While no current Virginia Tech players are on active NFL teams, several former Hokies have secured spots on 53-man rosters, with nine listed as starters on depth charts. This list highlights the contributions of Virginia Tech alumni who have transitioned to professional football. Bhayshul Tuten, a former Hokie, has emerged as a key player for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The running back, who spent his final two seasons at Virginia Tech, finished his college career with 1,159 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Tuten made an immediate impact in his rookie season, rushing for 307 yards and five touchdowns. His standout performance came in Week 11 against the Los Angeles Chargers, where he recorded a 15-carry, 74-yard touchdown run. Tuten is currently listed as the Jaguars’ starting running back. Wyatt Teller, a former offensive guard, has returned to the Houston Texans after signing a two-year, $16 million contract. Entering his ninth NFL season, Teller has earned three Pro Bowl selections and two second-team All-Pro honors. A five-year starter at Virginia Tech, he earned first-team All-ACC honors in 2017. Teller is now the second-string left guard on the Texans’ depth chart. QB Tyrod Taylor, who played for Virginia Tech from 2007 to 2010, is entering his 16th NFL season with the Green Bay Packers. The ACC Player of the Year in 2010, Taylor has played for eight different teams, including a Pro Bowl season with the Buffalo Bills in 2015. He will serve as the backup to Jordan Love for the Packers. Joey Slye, the former kicker, has joined the Tennessee Titans for his eighth NFL season.#green_bay_packers #houston_texans #tennessee_titans #jacksonville_jaguars #virginia_tech
Cameron Brink Names NBA Legends for Her Mt. Rushmore Cameron Brink, the forward for the Los Angeles Sparks, shared her personal list of the greatest NBA players of all time during an interview with Los Angeles Sports Report. Though she admitted she is not a regular NBA viewer, Brink compiled a list of iconic athletes, including several Los Angeles Lakers legends. Her selections featured Magic Johnson, Steph Curry, Michael Jordan, Kevin Garnett, and LeBron James, with the latter being added to her list despite the limited four-player capacity of the Mt. Rushmore concept. Brink emphasized the difficulty of narrowing down her choices, acknowledging the sheer number of elite players who have shaped the league’s history. The interview highlighted Brink’s unique connection to Steph Curry, whom she included on her list. The two share a familial bond as god siblings, a relationship rooted in their families’ ties to Virginia Tech. Both sets of parents—Dell Curry and Greg and Michelle Bain-Brink—played sports at the university in the 1980s. Dell Curry, a former NBA player, and Sonya Curry, a volleyball athlete, were part of Brink’s family circle, while the Bain-Brink parents served as godparents to the Curry children. Brink described Curry as “like my brother basically,” reflecting their lifelong friendship and the surreal nature of seeing him transition from a childhood friend to a global basketball icon. Brink’s relationship with the Curry family began in her early years. After attending art camps for three consecutive summers, she finally participated in a half-day basketball camp led by Dell Curry at the age of 10. This experience, she noted, was pivotal in her decision to pursue basketball seriously.#los_angeles_sparks #steph_curry #virginia_tech #cameron_brink #dell_curry
Asian Needle Ants in Mississippi: Painful Stings and Ecological Threat An invasive ant species is spreading rapidly across Mississippi, posing a significant threat to native ecosystems and human health. Asian needle ants, known for their painful stings and ability to outcompete local ant species, have become a growing concern for residents and scientists. These ants, which are smaller than fire ants but more dangerous, are now establishing themselves in the Magnolia State, raising alarms about their ecological impact and potential risks to humans. Mississippi is home to 167 native ant species, but the arrival of Asian needle ants has disrupted this balance. Unlike fire ants, which are highly aggressive and build visible mounds, Asian needle ants are cryptic, thriving in dark, moist environments such as under rocks, leaf litter, or in dead logs. Their small size and lack of foraging trails make them difficult to detect, increasing the likelihood of accidental encounters. Experts warn that their presence could lead to the decline of native ant populations, which play critical roles in soil health and nutrient cycling. The ants’ stings are particularly alarming. Described as sharp and localized pain, the sting is often compared to a needle being inserted into the skin. Benoit Guenard, an ecologist at the University of Hong Kong, likened the sensation to “inserting a needle directly into your flesh,” noting that the pain can persist for hours or even days. Unlike fire ant stings, which cause immediate burning and pustules, Asian needle ant stings may not be noticed until hours later, making them harder to treat. In severe cases, the venom could trigger anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction requiring immediate medical attention. The spread of Asian needle ants in the U.S.#mississippi #asian_needle_ants #mississippi_state_university #jo_vonn_hill #virginia_tech
