NFL draft: Virginia Tech's Sergio Render

In anticipation for this weekend's NFL draft, Hokies Journal will be looking at some former Virginia Tech players who are prospective draftees. The NFL draft opens with the first round on Thursday evening, followed by the second and third rounds on Friday and the fourth through seventh rounds held on Saturday.

SERGIO RENDER
6 feet 3, 313 pounds
Projected draft selection: sixth round
Projected NFL position: offensive guard
Virginia Tech career: 52 starts

Virginia Tech is losing a four-year starter along the offensive line in Sergio Render. But although he was a fixture for the Hokies, Render's draft stock has fallen since he was made a starter shortly after arriving in Blacksburg.

Render is big, physical and tough, and those attributes have not waned. But he was one of the top prospects in the country coming out of high school and burst onto the scene as a freshman. His was a bold name since then, but even heading into last season, Virginia Tech's coaches challenged him to play more consistently and compiled tape of his poor outings. In 2009, Render largely played well and started all but one game.

Render did not compete at the NFL combine. At Virginia Tech's pro day in March, Render ran the 40 in 5.45 and 5.40, 8.30 three-cone drill and benched 28 times. But Render's brute strength has been his hallmark and do not make up for what some believed are deficiency with his balance and technique. Some of his former Hokies teammates have said they have seen Render occasionally working out in Blacksburg.

Render's draft stock may have fallen with the passing years, but he still is considered a draft-worthy prospect by some, perhaps fit to be taken with a sixth-round pick.