Khalil Herbert Declares For NFL Draft

By: Chris Coleman | Lead Analyst and Columnist
Khalil Herbert, Virginia Tech
Khalil Herbert had a big season in his one year in Blacksburg. (Virginia Tech sports photography)

Virginia Tech running back Khalil Herbert announced on Thursday night that he would forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2021 NFL Draft.

Herbert ran for 1,183 yards this past season despite being limited for a couple of games with an injury.  He also caught 10 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown, while averaging 26.9 yards on 11 kickoff returns.  He led the nation with 1,791 all-purpose yards.

Herbert’s biggest game as a Hokie came on October 3 when he ran for 207 yards against Duke.

With Herbert gone, Virginia Tech’s leading returning rusher is tailback Raheem Blackshear with 288 yards.  However, Jalen Holston finished with 189 yards and came on strong at the end of the season.  He ran for 36 yards and two touchdowns against Miami while averaging nine yards per carry, and he later added 58 yards on 14 carries in the season finale against UVA.

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  1. I was always confused as to how long We had him for Anyway. Showed flashes of Brilliance in between missing Games with his Hammy. Dang, He woulda been fun to watch for another Year at full Strength-which I think He needs. Maybe just sick of School. Unfortunately, like Jerod Evans-probably won’t make the Pros. Shoulda stayed a Hokie- God knows We aint got nothing else.

  2. Thank you for giving VT some extraordinary moments!! Your vision and explosion will fit well in the NFL. Best of luck..,Hokie Nation will be rooting for you!!!

  3. Khalil thanks so much for a awesome year! Wish you could have experienced the best atmosphere in college football! Next year when you have a open date in the NFL you will have to come back and experience Enter Sandman in person! Good luck and we will be cheering you on next year!🏈🏈

  4. I am saddened to think that Herbert never got to experience fans in Lane Stadium roaring as he broke open huge holes on his monster runs. It seems he really enjoyed his time here but imagine if he got to play in front of fans!

  5. It was fun watching him play this year and seeing that level of vision and burst again from a RB in a Hokie uniform. Wish he had gotten to experience what it would have been like to come out of the tunnel with a full Lane Stadium jumping or to hear the roar when he broke off those long runs. But what a great addition through the portal for VT this season. Hope he has success at the next level and will be a great representative of VT in the NFL in the future.

  6. Wise decision. He’s ready. Running backs are “old” once they hit 30. No reason to spend another one of those precious years in college wheh he could be getting paid.

    Thanks for a great year, Khaili! Now go tear it up in the NFL!

  8. Best wishes Khalil, as you embark on your NFL career path. It was a real treat to watch you play this past football season, in spite of the extenuating circumstances. Please come back to visit often. Tech needs players like you to be supportive and involved with the program.

  11. Congrats KH!! Knock ’em dead in NFL.

    Such a shame the Offense is leaking skilled and experienced starters at such an alarming rate, whatever the reason is for them leaving…and none of which is due to graduation or end of eligibility.

  12. Jalen, Raheem, Keyshawn, etc. We look good at RB for a while (barring any portal shenanigans).
    Khalil. Thanks for showing them how it’s done in a Cornelson offense.

    1. Keyshawn King could be REALLY good, but he needs to dedicate himself to developing his God-given talent, starting with adding 15 pounds of muscle this off-season.

  13. Khalil, thank you so much for all you did for Hokie football.. Best wishes for great NFL career.

  14. It’s interesting that no one seems to be giving Fuente and the rest of the coaches credit for proving that if they have a back good enough that they will feature him and let him shine. This will hopefully help quiet some of the noise in that regard.

    Best of luck to you Khalil, and thanks for all you accomplished as a Hokie!

    1. Agreed. This should permanently put to rest the idea that running backs can’t thrive in Fuente’s offense.

  15. Khalil is a class act and a fantastic Hokie, even if for only one year. I wish him nothing but the best. Can’t wait to watch him in the pros. He excelled at VT. Wonder if he ever wishes he had come here first? Doesn’t matter. Best of luck, Juice!!

  16. Good for him. He was key for us this year and I dare say without him we’d have lost at least one more game

  17. Go excel as a pro, Khalil, just like you did this year at Tech. You made our offense much more potent and balanced, and I am sure you will do the same at the next level.

  18. Mr. Herbert, I would have loved to see you here another year. That being said, I know you are going to be phenomenal in the NFL. Best Wishes

  20. Great talents and a great personality, liked by all of his teammates. Best wishes in your future!

  24. Good Luck Khalil. It was great to see you scorching the earth in a Hokie uniform. It reminded me of the times of Williams, Evans, Wilson and TD Lee Suggs. I hope you were an inspiration to the other RB, it looks like Holston may have picked up a bit from you.

    GO HOKIES!!!

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