The 2007 NFL draft won't be nearly as compelling theatre as it has been in years past for Virginia Tech and its legion of fans.

One year after producing a school-record nine draft picks, Tech faces the prospect of having as few as two selections in this weekend's 255-player draft at New York's Madison Square Garden.

While safety Aaron Rouse and wide receiver David Clowney are considered sure-fire selections, the Hokies' other possible draftees -- offensive tackle Brandon Frye and defensive end Noland Burchette -- rate as late-round picks -- if they are drafted at all.

Linebacker Brenden Hill, whose NFL shot figures to come at safety, long snapper Nick Leeson, fullback Jesse Allen, place-kicker Brandon Pace and punter Nic Schmitt of Salem -- all of whom have worked out for NFL coaches and scouts the past few months -- are considered draft long shots, at best.

Bad news for a program that has yielded 52 draft picks the past 13 years? Not hardly.

The Hokies figure to be the preseason pick to win the ACC title this fall.

"The good news is we're not losing a lot of good football players ... so the fact we don't have the kind of numbers we've had in past drafts is not nearly as bad as it may sound," Hokies coach Frank Beamer said.

Beamer will be joined by two of his former players -- Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and cornerback DeAngelo Hall -- and Tech great Bruce Smith at a pre-draft ceremony on Saturday to honor the victims of the April 16 shootings at Tech.

"They want to pay tribute to the families and to Virginia Tech," Beamer said.

"I appreciate the National Football League wanting to honor those who lost family members in the tragedy here and showing its support for our school."