Virginia Tech's Running Back Room An Intriguing Mix Of Talents — Though Currently Encumbered By Injuries

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Through seven spring practices, Virginia Tech's running back room is an intriguing mix of talents — albeit one currently encumbered by injuries.

Jeffrey Overton projects as the top fully available option at the moment. The 5-foot-9 tailback played in the last four games of the 2025 season after recovering from a torn ACL sustained during 2024 bowl prep. In his return, Overton shone, compiling 146 rushing yards on 25 carries (5.84 YPC), including a touchdown against Miami, where he burst around the outside to the endzone on a 38-yard carry.

Overton committed as a three-star to Tech back in June 2024, choosing the Hokies over Maryland, South Carolina and Virginia.

BREAKING: 3⭐️ 2025 RB Jeffrey Overton Jr. has committed to Virginia Tech

The 5’10.5 192 lb. RB from Alexandria, Va. chose the #Hokies over South Carolina, Maryland and Virginia

2023-2024 Gatorade Virginia Football Player of the Year

Story: https://t.co/5FMqJTXwps pic.twitter.com/eITV5IO4II
— Kolby Crawford (@kolby_crawford) June 28, 2024

Overton's bulked up, too. The now-redshirt freshman clocked in at 178 pounds on last campaign's roster page, and he's now up to 205 pounds on this year's roster page.

Head coach James Franklin heard about Overton's budding talent, and now that he's witnessed Overton's ability firsthand, he can see why.

"He's quick, he's smart, he's tough, he's elusive, football smart." Franklin remarked. "I think he also has a chance to be a receiving threat. The other guys, we're still evaluating, still working through some things. But I think Overton has kind of separated himself a little bit. ... I think he's got a chance to be 210 pounds by next year. He's right around 205. Can play at 210, [if] I had to guess."

Then, there's Louisiana transfer Bill Davis, who was "a cheeseburger away from 250 pounds" when he arrived, according to Franklin. He's slimmed down since, and the 5-foot-9 recruit is now listed as 230 pounds on the HokieSports roster page. Franklin says that the running back isn't where he needs to be yet.

"Bill's showing some flashes as well, just not as consistent as we need him to be yet," said Franklin.

Two noticeable names are absent, at least for now: True freshman four-star Messiah Mickens is out for the entirety of the spring, while incumbent No. 1 back Marcellous Hawkins has not been cleared yet for group drills. Hawkins, however, has gone through individual work, and per Franklin, running backs coach Norval McKenzie was impressed. Last year, Hawkins rolled up a team-high 749 rushing yards on 118 totes, good for 6.3 yards per carry. He registered 100-yard-plus outings against both California and Florida State, and the 5-foot-10, 223-pound back served as Tech's No. 1 after spending three years at Division II Central Missouri.

"We've been able to see him a little bit individually, and I know Norval has been impressed watching him," Franklin said. "He's also like 225 pounds. He's a big back."

Elsewhere in the room, Virginia Tech has converted previously walk-on linebacker Darius Taylor to tailback to combat the running back's injury woes. The Hokies currently have seven running backs on the roster: Overton, Tyler Mason, Mickens, Hawkins, Davis, walk-on John Buetow and Taylor.

Mason chose to stay in the room after playing sparingly over his first two years at Virginia Tech. In his frist two years with the Hokies, Mason played in five games, logging 59 rushing yards on 13 carries. Buettow played in two games in 2024 and did not register a carry in either of his first two years. Taylor played as a linebacker in the Duke's Mayo Bowl to close out the 2024 season, but has not seen action otherwise.

Virginia Tech's 2026 season starts on Saturday, Sept. 5, against VMI. Before that, though, there's the Hokies' annual spring game, which will take place on Saturday, April 18, at 3 p.m. ET. Admission for the spring game will be free of charge.