I asked chatgpt what it could dig up just for the heck of it about our running backs group: Virginia Tech's running back room is one of the more intriguing position groups on the roster under new head coach James Franklin. Franklin has always preferred a physical run game with multiple backs contributing, and he brought in longtime Penn State assistant and running backs coach Norval McKenzie to oversee the position. ([si.com][1]) Here's how I see the room shaping up, along with everything publicly available on their speed. ### 1. Marcellous Hawkins (Sr.) – The likely starter * 5'10", 223 lbs * Transfer from Central Missouri * Ran for **749 yards at 6.3 yards per carry** in 2025. * Powerful between the tackles but has shown enough burst to rip off chunk runs. He isn't known as a pure burner, but he's faster than his build suggests. ([gobblercountry.com][2]) **Known speed** * I could not find a verified 100-meter time or laser-timed 40. * Recruiting services generally described him as having good acceleration rather than elite top-end speed. **Projection** He's the guy who wears defenses down. Think more "move the chains and break tackles" than "80-yard touchdown every game." --- ### 2. Jeffrey Overton Jr. (r-Fr.) – The explosive option * 5'9", 205 lbs * One of the breakout names from spring practice. * Coaches and local media consistently mention his explosiveness. ([gobblercountry.com][3]) **Known speed** * No verified 100m or 40 has been published. * High school film shows excellent acceleration and lateral quickness. **Projection** If one back on this roster becomes the home-run hitter, I'd bet on Overton. --- ### 3. Messiah Mickens (Fr.) The highest-profile recruit in the room. * Four-star recruit * Around 5'10", 212 lbs * One of Virginia Tech's biggest recruiting wins at RB in years. ([si.com][4]) **Known speed** Here's where it gets interesting. I couldn't find an officially FAT-timed 100 meters like the 10.7 example you mentioned. However: * He reportedly ran in the **4.5-second range in the 40-yard dash** during recruiting evaluations. * His verified recruiting testing also included excellent shuttle and explosion numbers, which helped make him a blue-chip prospect. He's more of a complete back than a track guy. --- ### 4. Tyler Mason (r-So.) * 5'10", 211 lbs * Developmental back with good balance. **Known speed** * No verified 40 or 100m that I could locate. --- ### 5. Bill Davis (r-Jr.) * 5'9", 230 lbs Built like a bowling ball. **Known speed** * No published testing. * More of a short-yardage, physical runner than a speed threat. --- ## Fastest guys? Based on available recruiting information and film—not just stopwatch numbers—I would rank the room like this: | Player | Top-end speed | Burst | | ------------------ | ------------- | ----- | | Jeffrey Overton | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | Messiah Mickens | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ | | Marcellous Hawkins | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | | Tyler Mason | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | | Bill Davis | ⭐⭐½ | ⭐⭐⭐ | --- ## Were any track stars? Interestingly, none of the current scholarship backs have widely documented elite track credentials like: * 10.6–10.8 100m * 21-second 200m * verified 4.3 forty Virginia Tech has had backs like that in the past (Bhayshul Tuten eventually ran a **4.32** at the NFL Combine), but this current room is built more around football athleticism than track résumés. ([reuters.com][5]) ## Overall outlook I actually think this group has a chance to be one of the strengths of the offense. * **Hawkins** is the dependable every-down back. * **Overton** brings the explosive-change-of-pace element. * **Mickens** has the talent to force his way into the rotation as a freshman if he picks up pass protection and the playbook. * The depth behind them is solid enough that Franklin can rotate fresh legs, which has been a hallmark of his best offenses. ** Edited by likehokies at 7/25/2026, 2:49:36 PM

the room and talent if the can stay healthy and some of the younger kids continue to develop which I think they will under coach Moore in his 2nd year. No way we are worse at LB unless we sustain a lot of injuries. Just need Noah Chambers especially to not have a sophomore slump and some of the others in the LB room to find their right position and stay there instead of the constant moving around which is one of the few things that concern me about Pry as I’m pretty sure he did that at PSU as well although he had some success doing that. But that’s just what I see and I certainly respect yours and other TSL members opinions as well as we should all be free to do that without being attacked by certain members on TSL. No matter what our opinions are for the upcoming season personally I think it’s going to be an exciting year the likes of what we haven’t seen now for almost 15 years as Franklin and staff changes the culture and mindset of losing football to that of truly being reestablished starting in 2026. Can’t happen fast enough. Whether that means 8-4 or 7-5 in his first year and even at 7-5 if the team shows solid improvement and plays with fire, physicality, mistake free football and just executes without beating themselves and starts finding ways to win ball games instead of ways to lose. To me that’s a step in the right direction of establishing VT football to the days where teams dreaded playing VT not only at home but on their fields as well knowing the physical play they where going to experience playing the Hokies. It’s been awhile. Go Hokies!!!! ** Edited by SCHokie1103 at 7/25/2026, 10:06:57 PM ** Edited by SCHokie1103 at 7/25/2026, 10:09:21 PM ** Edited by SCHokie1103 at 7/25/2026, 10:10:32 PM

And by end of last year may have already been better as a tr FR Plus the PSU guys, Gabe Williams healthier, even a couple high rated FR for depth (Wiggins and Lamah) And OL is WAY better just due to depth alone and the guys from OSU & OU Maybe split DT out and say “worse” due to depth concerns but if healthy could be better with Mensah Also if you’re comparing CB & S to last year at end of year there’s no comparison we’re WAY better at both. Josh Clarke being healthy makes us better by himself. Same for Reddish plus add in White, Polydor etc ** Edited by hokiepro at 7/24/2026, 1:19:48 PM ** Edited by hokiepro at 7/24/2026, 1:21:32 PM ** Edited by hokiepro at 7/25/2026, 7:31:54 AM

Not one

And at least these players have more experience and they need to be beaten in practice.

You underestimate the overall improvement in this team, and it will get better as the season progresses. Need to stay healthy as not deep

If there’s a chance Laws is good to go we’re better and deeper at every position. DT we have young guys with higher ceilings but they’re young Same at backup LB

to approach your question. You can consider it from a "raw talent" angle... Are the individual players better athletically? Or, you can look at potential which can be unlocked with good coaching and scheming and planning (not to mention greater inspiration of effort by individual players). You also have to account for chemistry among new groups on the field and how players may have improved (or not) in the off-season. Clearly, we expect all receivers to benefit from improved QB play. That translates to a better running game, too. AND, when the passing and running games improve (because the QB is a greater threat) the offensive line's job will get a little easier and they might just look "improved". On defense, we need leadership and effort and GREAT coaching or no positions will improve. The LB output wasn't great last year. I hope it won't be worse!

IMO a few fans have higher expectations because of the coach than the current talent on this year's team would justify. Looking at how the schedule is laid out, the middle of the season is really going to be difficult. Personally, I put 6-6 as the baseline and 7-5 (with a win over the Cavs) as a successful 1st year. Anything over that would be unexpected joy.

I am really hoping for 8-4.

Based upon your assessment, 5-7? The offense can’t be top 5 in the ACC with an awful OL, which is what is was last year. ** Edited by VT ChemE 1986 at 7/24/2026, 12:09:48 PM

That won’t happen if our defense is worse than last year which is what u implied the position grp break down, The D was really bad last year if we are any worse, it is going to be a long season. That said I think we will be better across the board, which pretty much has to happen to more than double your win total.

The OL is still an area of concern, but there is a major upgrade at LT, and there will be more stability and better depth. Some of the issues with the OL last year had nothing to do with the OL and more with the OC and QB. This is one area where I see a much better performance.

most of all a QB who thinks quickly, sees the field and has the arm for all of the short to intermediate throws, including the 40 yard out which was a prayer and a hope LY

That said, tons of room for improvement, the have a second year with a proven OL coach, the offense is going to be conducive to OL play, and they will get a lot of help from the TEs. How well they play will probably dictate the offensive success this year.

Depth is a major concern

On defense, I just don't see any significant upgrades at any position group especially with Laws most likely out for at least half the season.

O line was bad and will take time to improve. ST coaching was abysmal - I expect that to improve.