Antwaun Powell-Ryland 2025 NFL Draft Profile
School: Virginia Tech
Position: Edge Rusher
Class: Senior
Hometown: Portsmouth, Virginia
Measures
Height: 6’ 3”
Weight: 258 pounds
Arm Length: 31 1/4 inches
Hand Size: 9 5/8 inches
Combine Results
40-Yard Dash: 4.69 seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.64 seconds
Vertical Jump: 36½ inches
Broad Jump: 10’ 4”
2025 NFL Draft: Antwaun Powell-Ryland Scouting Report
Antwaun Powell Ryland comes into the 2025 NFL Draft with high sack totals in his time at Virginia Tech. He uses good hands to fight off the initial blocks and good leverage that helps set up his bull-rush moves and counterattacks. However, he lacks the ideal length, has average athleticism, and cannot control the edge in the running game. He was productive in college; however, scouts are questioning if his numbers will translate to the next level.
Powell-Ryland was a four-star recruit out of Indian River High School in the 2021 recruiting class, eventually committing to Florida. He spent three seasons mostly as a reserve, with him starting five games of his final season with the Gators, and recorded 34 tackles, five sacks, and six tackles for loss in his Florida career. Rowell-Ryland then transferred to Virginia Tech before the 2023 season, and he broke out that season by recording 40 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles, earning second-team All-ACC honors. He then followed that performance in 2024 by recording 43 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, and 16 sacks, earning First-Team All-ACC and Third-Team Associated Press All-American Honors.
Strengths
- He uses his stride length with a controlled tempo and takes good angle entries as a rusher.
- He plays with the leverage to drive tackles back into the pocket.
- He has a repertoire of countermoves that are natural and effective.
- He plays with a solid pad level and a strong first punch.
- Use his hand to get around kick-out blocks.
- Closes on target with authority and will finish the play.
Weaknesses
- He has a below-average first step and suddenness in his rush.
- He is unable to use his hips to pass the blocker on top of the arc.
- He lacks the ideal size and length on the edge.
- Runners can slip through his grasp because of his lack of length.
- He has difficulty standing his ground at the point of attack.
NFL Comparison:
Jose Ramirez, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Potential Team Fits:
Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers.
Draft Projection
Day Three (sixth-seventh round)
Last Word on Antwaun Rowell-Ryland
Antwaun Powell-Ryland is a draft prospect who is a plugger and a technician in the 2025 NFL Draft Class. He is a prospect who doesn’t have the standard traits of a full-time edge rusher, so he will have to work on his counter and spin moves if he wants to survive at the next level. Powell-Ryland will most likely have to contribute on special teams, carve out a role as a situational pass rusher, or work in a rotation. If he can find a way not to be a liability in run defense, then he may be a starter in the future.
Main Photo: [Kirby Lee] – USA Today Sports
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