Wyatt Teller

... It isn't often that a player originally recruited to play defensive end winds up evolving into an all-conference guard that is precisely the career path Teller is trailblazing into the NFL. The Virginia native signed with the Hokies as the reigning state 2A Defensive Player of the Year, recording 120 total tackles, including 11 sacks, and forced four fumbles. Virginia Tech opted to redshirt Teller his first season on campus and he apparently spent all of it in the weight room, earning Super Iron Hokie honors and leading the entire team with a 600 pound back squat and 385 pound power clean as a true freshman. Over the course of the season he was switched from defensive end to offensive tackle to offensive guard. There were some growing pains as Teller saw his first playing time at guard in 2014 but he played in all 13 games and earned the starting nod on the left side for the final six contents. He's started each of the past three seasons there since, graduating from Honorable Mention All-ACC honors from league coaches after his junior campaign to First Team all-conference recognition in 2017, as well as an invite to the Senior Bowl. BACKGROUND Played for Coach Chris Watts at Liberty High ... Listed as the No. 59 overall prospect in the country, the No. 6 strongside defensive end overall and the No. 8 prospect in Virginia by Rivals ... Rated the No. 11 prospect in Virginia by The Roanoke Times ... Ranked as the No. 10 player in Virginia in SuperPrep's preseason issue ... Ranked as the No. 110 overall player in the country, the No. 9 strongside defensive end in the country and the No. 6 player in his state by 247Sports ... Listed as the No. 28 defensive tackle in the country by Scout ... Ranked as the No. 35 defensive tackle in the country, the No. 60 player in his region and the No. 19 player in the state by ESPN Recruiting Nation ... A U.S. Army All-America Game selection ... A second-team 247Sports All-American ... A preseason SuperPrep All-American ... The state's defensive player of the year for the Group AA level, as voted on by the VHSCA ... A first-team Group AA all-state selection by both the VHSCA and Virginia Preps ... Totaled over 120 total tackles, including 11 sacks, and forced four fumbles ... Earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in Region II and the Evergreen District ... Recorded 85 tackles, including 27 for a loss, 9.5 sacks and four forced fumbles his junior year ... Also had three interceptions and five blocked kicks his junior year.

in our view

Some offensive line coaches (like Cable) prefer former defenders as these players and not just because they are often more aggressive. Teller wins as a blocker with some of the tricks he learned as defensive end including stalking targets downfield and quickly swimming through defenders to add to the deception on screens. Teller warrants Day Two consideration and projects as a future starting guard early in his NFL career.

strengths

Possesses a unique frame for an interior offensive lineman with a well-built musculature with little to no flab. Long arms with very good upper body strength, showing a vice-like grip to latch on and control opponents as well as the core power to create torque and generate movement at the point of attack. Teller shows good initial quickness at the point of attack, coordinating a powerful initial punch with light, staggered feet to remain balanced while sliding easily to his left and right. Hasn't forgotten some of the techniques taught to him on the defensive side of the ball and is a physical, aggressive player who initiates contact. Adds to the deception of screen plays with an explosive over-arm swim move to quickly release from defensive linemen after initially selling the block. Remains in a good football stance when not actively engaged keeping his knees bent, hands cocked and ready, stalking opponents and exploding into them to create some impressive collisions and intimidating blocks. -- Rob Rang 1/15/2018

compares to

J.R. Sweezy, Buccaneers - Sweezy was a defensive lineman at North Carolina State until then-Seahawks (and current Raiders) offensive line coach Tom Cable thought he could mold his agility, strength and competitive nature into a right guard. It worked well for Sweezy, helping Seattle win a Super Bowl and earning a five-year 32.5 million dollar contract from Tampa Bay.

weaknesses

Teller's slow, heavy feet may be why Virginia Tech coaches switched him to the offensive line. Though he shows good initial quickness off the snap and to get out to pull, Teller looks like he is running through sand when circling around the line or climbing to the second level. He is generally effective when meeting the defender, but too often fails to get to his target on time, raising some concern about his fit in a zone scheme. - Rob Rang 1/15/2018

Played for Coach Chris Watts at Liberty High

Listed as the No. 59 overall prospect in the country, the No. 6 strongside defensive end overall and the No. 8 prospect in Virginia by Rivals

Rated the No. 11 prospect in Virginia by The Roanoke Times

Ranked as the No. 10 player in Virginia in SuperPrep’s preseason issue

Ranked as the No. 110 overall player in the country, the No. 9 strongside defensive end in the country and the No. 6 player in his state by 247Sports

Listed as the No. 28 defensive tackle in the country by Scout

Ranked as the No. 35 defensive tackle in the country, the No. 60 player in his region and the No. 19 player in the state by ESPN Recruiting Nation

A U.S. Army All-America Game selection

A second-team 247Sports All-American

A preseason SuperPrep All-American

The state’s defensive player of the year for the Group AA level, as voted on by the VHSCA

A first-team Group AA all-state selection by both the VHSCA and Virginia Preps

Totaled over 120 total tackles, including 11 sacks, and forced four fumbles

Earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in Region II and the Evergreen District

Recorded 85 tackles, including 27 for a loss, 9.5 sacks and four forced fumbles his junior year

Also had three interceptions and five blocked kicks his junior year.

William Wyatt Teller

Born Nov. 21, 1994 in Manassas, Va.

Son of Richard and Cheryl Teller

Has an older brother and three older sisters

Majoring in property management.

2017

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
0.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.0