Position preview: running backs – Virginia Tech Athletics

With so many talented backs, a room by committee may be the way it shakes out

Football
8/15/2022 8:00:00 AM

Gallery: (8-15-2022) FB: Running backs (fall camp)

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tech’s backfield may feature one ‘workhorse’ or it may be a stable of talented, productive backs who give Holt, offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen and the offense versatility. At ACC Kickoff, Pry indicated that he had not determined which system he prefers, but is looking for production in the running game. Where might that come from? Jalen Holston, Malachi Thomas and Keshawn King are names that quickly come to mind.

Holston, a sixth-year senior, rushed for 199 yards and five touchdowns on 52 carries a season ago, registering an additional receiving touchdown while serving on many of the Hokies’ special teams coverage units. Thomas is back for his sophomore season after his breakout game against Syracuse last fall, rushing for three touchdowns during his 151-yard afternoon on the ground at Lane Stadium. The Hartwell, Georgia native was relied upon heavily throughout the second half of the year, finishing his rookie campaign by rushing for 440 yards on 93 carries. Meanwhile, King recorded 29 carries for 117 yards and a touchdown a season ago, showing flashes of his speed and productivity we saw him boast as a freshman in 2019. Holt will certainly have his fair share of decisions to make, but will have a contingent of experienced student-athletes to select from as camp opens.

OTHERS IN THE MIX

Redshirt freshman Chance Black and highly-regarded true freshman Bryce Duke are on campus and eager to show their talents on the field. Tech suddenly has a lot of different avenues it can explore when trying to determine who will earn the majority of the carries when toe meets leather during the coming weeks. Black has yet to rush the ball during his time with the maroon and orange, but has shown his flashes of speed inside Tech’s kick return game throughout the latter portions of the 2021 season.

NOTES

– Virginia Tech ran for 2,408 total yards in 2021, but will have to replace its top two rushers in Raheem Blackshear and Braxton Burmeister.
– Holston has produced 1,070 all-purpose yards during his career with nine touchdowns.
– Thomas is the Hokies’ lead returning ball carrier from 2021 (93 attempts).

POSITION OUTLOOK

The flexibility of having three members of the backfield returning will be a nice luxury for Pry and company to have when determining who will earn the majority of reps. Holston has the experience, Thomas has the explosiveness and King has the speed. The number of guys Tech’s coaching staff plans to use in the backfield regularly, though, remains to be seen.