An elite athletic testing performer at defensive tackle who started two seasons at Virginia Tech after transferring from Oklahoma.
Kelvin Gilliam Jr. began his college career at Oklahoma before transferring to Virginia Tech, where he became a full-time starter on the interior defensive line. He went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft but turned heads with elite pro day testing numbers before signing with the Dallas Cowboys.
Path to the league
Gilliam played two seasons at Oklahoma before transferring to Virginia Tech, where he played all 13 games in 2024 and started every game at defensive tackle in 2025. He went undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft and signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent.
Career highlights
At Virginia Tech, Gilliam posted 35 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack in 2024, then followed with 34 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks as a full-time starter in 2025. His pro day stood out even more than his college production: a 9.90 Relative Athletic Score ranked 24th out of 2,278 defensive tackles tested since 1987, highlighted by 34 reps on the bench press and a 4.76-second 40-yard dash.
2025 season recap
Gilliam started all 12 games at defensive tackle for Virginia Tech in 2025, recording 34 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, a pass breakup and four quarterback hurries across 400 defensive snaps. His athletic testing at Virginia Tech's pro day helped him land a UDFA deal with Dallas as the third Hokie to sign with an NFL team in the 2026 class.
Sources
- ESPN: Kelvin Gilliam Jr. player page
- Sports Illustrated: Virginia Tech DL Kelvin Gilliam Jr. Signs With Dallas Cowboys
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Defensive Tackle
- Group
- defense
- College
- Virginia Tech
- Hometown
- Richmond, VA, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
