Photo via TechSideline.com

Leading up to the NFL Draft April 26-28 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas — home of the Dallas Cowboys and the annual International Bowl — we'll take a look at former U.S. National Team players who are draft-eligible this year and hope to continue their football dreams in the NFL.

Wyatt Teller, offensive line, Virginia Tech

NFL Combine numbers

Height: 6'4

Weight: 301

40-yard dash: 5.24

Bench press (225 lbs.): 30 reps

Vertical jump: 29 in.

Projected draft position (according to nfl.com): Rounds 3-4

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Bio

With 120 tackles and 11 sacks, Teller was Virginia's state defensive player of the year as a senior at Liberty High School, but switched to offensive line during his redshirt season at Virginia Tech. A four-year starter for the Hokies, Teller earned honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference as a junior, then received first-team recognition as a senior. Known as a workout warrior, Teller bench-pressed 460 pounds, power-cleaned 400 and squatted 600 while in college.

Before his time at Virginia Tech, Teller played in the 2013 International Bowl, and led the U-19 National Team onto the field at the University of Texas. He fondly recalled the experience at this year's NFL Combine:

 

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5 Questions at the NFL Combine

Q: What did it mean to you personally to play for the U.S. at International Bowl?

A: I support the troops so much, and to do that on a fun, competitive level was a blessing, especially coming from a military household.

Q: How did your position change at Virginia Tech transpire?

A: The switch was my choice. I wanted to help the team out and felt that was the best way to do it. It was a transition, it was difficult, a lot of time learning, but it's worth it. I'm here.

Q: Were there things you missed about playing defense right after the switch?

A: Just running around hitting people — maybe not quite without a care in the world, but hitting the quarterback and getting after it.

Q: How did you evolve as an offensive lineman as the years passed?

A: Offensive line's a real controlled aggression. You can't just got out there and hit kids, or you're gonna whiff a lot and give up pressures and sacks, which early on kind of happened. Once I got older, I realized a better strike and head out of the block, that's better than leading with the top of your helmet. 

Q: You obviously took strength training seriously coming up. What advice would you have for a young athlete who wants to follow in your footsteps?

A: To achieve what I have, it all starts in the weight room. I wasn't the most talented, not the fastest, not even the strongest, but I'm going to work my butt off to get to that level. With the switch from defense, the first three months I was at Tech, I think I put on 50 pounds. It was just about eating right. When you're in high school, your parents can't keep enough food in the cupboard, but when you get to college, it changes. Eat right, work out hard and it'll be yours.