Central Missouri running back Marcellous Hawkins committed to Virginia Tech on Friday. (Nick Brown)

Marcellous Hawkins 
Running back 
D-II Central Missouri 
5-11, 210 
2 years remaining* (r-So.) 

Virginia Tech picked up a second running back commitment on Friday from Marcellous Hawkins of Division II Central Missouri.

The Oklahoma City native is a versatile option out of the backfield with two years of eligibility remaining. (After redshirting in 2022 as a freshman, he played in 2023 before appearing in just three games in 2024 due to injury. He could have a third year of eligibility if approved for a medical waiver.)

In three games this season for the preseason No. 2 team in the country, he totaled 144 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries (4.6 ypc) while hauling in 14 receptions for 191 yards and a score. 

In 2023, Hawkins (5-11, 210) was a First Team All-MIAA all-purpose back and a second-team all-conference pick at running back after racking up 1,053 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on 157 carries (6.7 yards per carry) to go with 283 receiving yards and three scores on 32 catches. He helped the Mules finish the year ranked No. 4 in the country with an 11-3 record.

He had four 100-yard games on the ground that season, highlighted by a 183-yard, three-touchdown performance vs. Emporia State:

Central Missouri running back Marcellous Hawkins had four 100-yard games as a redshirt freshman. (David Cunningham)

Though he only played in two games as a true freshman in 2022 before injury, he tallied 115 yards and two touchdowns on 18 totes (6.4 ypc). He also added 35 receiving yards on three catches.

The Putnam City High School product played quarterback and cornerback in high school before changing positions. He was his district's co-offensive player of the year, an all-state honorable mention pick and a first-team all-conference selection after throwing for 1,368 yards and 13 touchdowns while rushing for 1,248 yards and 16 scores. He was not rated by recruiting services out of high school.

The addition of Hawkins, along with Friday's earlier addition of Bowling Green running back Terion Stewart, gives the Hokies five scholarship running backs for the 2025 season. He's the fourth transfer portal commitment of the offseason for Tech, joining Clemson safety Sherrod Covil Jr., Stewart and Hampton defensive tackle Jahzari Priester.

For more information on Virginia Tech’s comings and goings in the portal, click here for Tech Sideline’s roster management page.

Marcellous Hawkins links: 

Central Missouri bio  Hudl